BodyPump 97, released in early 2016, is a high-energy installment of the Les Mills barbell program known for its intense "Rep Effect" methodology. This specific release gained notoriety among instructors and participants for its challenging combinations, particularly the eight consecutive clean and presses in the back track.

While the standard 55-minute class includes all 10 tracks, Release 97 can be adapted into a 45-minute format (skipping biceps and triceps) or a 30-minute express format (warmup, squats, chest, back, and core/stretch).

Features three different stances (mid, wide, and wider) to target various parts of the glutes and quads. Instructors often highlight the final block of "big singles" as the peak intensity moment.