need more muscle mass....

Okay - I don't do what is "powerlifting" - all of my weight lifting is what I get from the BodyPump classes I take (3x a week). I'm forever getting comments on the definition I've acheved from that though so I'm happy with it. I wonder if lifting more on the machines wouldn't help me to gain more muscle. I know muscle burns more fat - but I'm not sure how to go about adding more into what I do since I'm not going to over burn my muscles. (you're supposed to let the muscles rest for 24 hours after you use them.....keep reading...LOL) Incase you don't know what BodyPump is.....it's an all over weight based work out completed in one hour. (Literally it hits all the major muscle groups.....squats, chest, dead lifts, clean and press, upright rows, triceps, biceps, lunges, calves, shoulders, abs.) I have increased my weights in there - but I don't lift the amount of weight you all do because this program is more designed for endurance and strength rather than muscle mass. The few times I have used weights or the machines I can lift a LOT more than I do in class..... Taking this class three times a week - plus I do 4 - 5 cardio classes a week and 1 or 2 specific abdominal classes a week.....I do work out a great deal! any thoughts or suggestions? My "Boss" (Since I'm starting to work for the gym now....LOL) wants me to gain more muscle mass to try and help my body burn more fat. I agree 100% but don't want to over burn the muscles..... I'll stop rambling now! much Dee Dee

Thanks Earl...that's a fantastic Idea. I don't know why I didn't think of this....... I will work additional weights after my regular pump classes to help with the muscle gain to see if that works. This way the muscles will have the time to recover....but keep building muscle mass.... I'll let you know how it goes!

THIS is why I think Earl needs to be doing personal training for a living. He knows his stuff. Like I told him...you tell me what to do, I will do it. I can do the workout, just tell me what it is. I don't want to have to do all the thinking, coordinating, etc... I know I am getting stronger and how to increase the weights, etc...I can lift a fairly decent amount for a chick my age, but I don't like the hassle of figuring out what group of which ones to do. To me that would be worth paying for (but don't tell Earl that he will start charging me and I am trying to save money for my boob job) God made personal trainers for people like me!! Val