WHAT DOES BOOTCAMP TRAINING MEAN?
What is a fitness BootCamp?
As a personal trainer, I often get asked about what it is, and what I do in my Bootcamps on Clapham Common.
Boot Camps have been gaining popularity as one of the best ways to get into shape. A fitness Boot Camp is a group exercise program that incorporates high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with strength and cardio workouts. The term “boot camp” refers to a type of exercise program that focuses on high-intensity workouts to achieve notable results in a short/medium period of time. These programs have become a great option for people looking to achieve their fitness goals in an effective way if they are not capable of working out hard enough by themselves and also want to be part of a group of training communities.
The aim of a fitness Boot Camp is to improve overall fitness levels, burn calories, build muscle, and increase cardiovascular endurance. Boot Camps typically last 1 hour and are conducted in a group setting with participants of various fitness levels. The workouts are designed to be challenging, yet scalable, meaning that participants can work at their own pace. Boot Camps can be conducted in an indoor or outdoor setting, depending on the season and location. In my case, and due to the benefits of training outdoors, I run them outside.
These classes are designed to push participants to their limits through a series of challenging exercises. I have to say here that some of my current clients were undecided about joining my boot camps as they thought they would be too intense for them. They heard somewhere that this kind of training forms part of army conditioning training and that the intensity of them was so tough that they would not be capable of coping with the sessions. None of this is true, for example, my clients will only be pushed as far as their own intensity limits allow, based on their daily energy levels for each session.
I will provide you with a detailed breakdown of what a fitness Boot Camp is for me, what it entails, and the benefits of participating in such programs.
In my boot camp session I like to divide the sessions into the following activities:
- Mobility and Dynamic Stretching: (this is really important to prevent injuries during the upcoming session and during your daily basic activities).
- Core Strength Activation: People tend to think that the core is just the “six pack”. This is a myth. The core of your body involves more muscle groups such as the lower back, transversus abdominis, internal obliques, multifidus, glutes, hamstrings,etc.
- Strength Exercises (the predominant activity): I believe based on science and on my own experience that the minimum amount of strength exercises that a person should be doing to stimulate with efficiency most of the muscles of their bodies is between 2 or 3 sessions per week. As most of my clients undertake 2 sessions with me every week, I use full body workouts routines as this structure allows me to strengthen and improve their strength levels plus the gain of muscle mass in the basic exercises which involve more muscles in their bodies. These comprise: push and shoulders exercises, pull exercises and leg exercises.
HIIT to End the Sessions: This is a cardiovascular activity where you can boost your kcal burn in addition to feeling that you have achieved a good session. Most often I include boxing combined with cardio exercises to make the activity more efficient. My clients love to end the session with this particular mix of activities.
BENEFITS OF BOOTCAMPS & FITNESS GROUPS
A short brief of the the benefits of Boot Camps:
There are numerous benefits to participating in Boot Camp training, and these include:
- Burn Fat: Boot Camp training is designed to be an intense and high-energy workout that burns calories quickly. This type of workout can help you to lose weight and burn fat while increasing your metabolism.
- Increase Strength: The resistance training included in bootcamp training is an effective way to build strength and increase muscle mass. This type of training is also helpful in reducing the risk of injury and maintaining healthy bones and joints. Also these workouts are designed to target multiple muscle groups, helping to build lean muscle mass.
- Improve Cardiovascular Health: Boot Camp training includes a lot of cardio exercises that help to improve your cardiovascular health. This type of exercise can help to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Scalable: Boot Camp workouts are designed to be scalable, meaning that they can be adjusted to suit participants of different fitness levels. Whether you are a beginner or experienced, Boot Camp workouts can be tailored to suit your individual needs.
- Boost Mood and Energy: Boot camp training is a fun and engaging way to exercise which can help to improve your mood and energy levels. It releases endorphins, which are natural feel-good chemicals in the body.
- Accountability: Boot Camp workouts are typically conducted in a group setting, which can help foster a sense of accountability. Working out in a group can help motivate you to push yourself harder and achieve your fitness goals. They are also a great way to meet new people and build a sense of community.
- Variety: Boot Camp workouts typically involve a variety of exercises, which can help prevent boredom and keep you engaged. The workouts are designed to be challenging, yet fun, meaning that you are more likely to stick with them in the long term.
In conclusion, Boot Camp training is an excellent way to improve overall fitness levels, build strength, and increase cardiovascular endurance. These workouts are challenging, yet scalable, meaning that they can be tailored to suit participants of different fitness levels. The benefits of Boot Camp training are numerous, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to improve their fitness levels and achieve their fitness goals. As a personal trainer, I highly recommend Boot Camp training as an effective way to improve overall fitness and build a stronger, healthier body and improve your mental health at the same time. If you would like to try my Boot Camp sessions and exercise outdoors, you are really welcome to if you live around the Clapham Common area.