Weight loss boot camps take their cues from military and juvenile rehabilitation programs that emphasize fitness, personal responsibility and discipline. As obesity rates in the United States continue to increase, more creative weight loss methods are being used to help Americans change their lifestyles and lose weight. Despite maintaining the lowest obesity rate in the United States, Colorado offers numerous boot camp opportunities for people looking to lose weight.
History
Originally created for the Marine Corps and adopted by other branches of the military for basic training, boot camps underwent a revolution in the 1980s when instituted as a method of rehabilitating prison inmates and juvenile delinquents. As the "The Real Insider's Guide to Military Basic Training" puts it, "The primary purpose of [boot camp] is to change a soft civilian into a disciplined soldier. Changing a person's civilian habits is difficult and takes drastic measures that are highly uncomfortable for the individual." Similarly, weight loss boot camps work to change participants' exercise and eating habits to promote immediate weight loss and lifelong fitness.
Identification
Weight loss boot camps forsake the traditional gym setting in exchange for outside areas, like public parks. Oftentimes, the drills are easily duplicated so participants can do them on their own, as well. Without heavy gym equipment, boot camp instructors utilize cardio activities and exercises to improve fitness and burn fat. While some boot camps are coed, many cater only to women.
Boot Camps
Dozens of boot camps are in Colorado near the cities of Denver, Colorado Springs and Boulder. Some popular boot camps include: the BCOR Denver Boot Camp, Mile High Boot Camp for Women in the Denver area, Colorado Springs Fitness Boot Camp for Women and Fitness for Living Boot Camp in Boulder, which was featured on the "Today" show.
Cost
With all the boot camp options available to residents of Colorado, participants should have no problem finding a camp that meets their fitness needs and budgets. Fitness boot camps vary in cost, but campers can expect to pay between $150 and $900, depending on the length of the camp or number of sessions.
Considerations
Camp sessions usually last a whole month or more, and require full dedication from participants. The effectiveness of the boot camp method stems from having a coach, support from the rest of the group, daily workouts, nutritional guidance and intense, but practical exercise methods. Additionally, while some fitness boot camps mimic the forceful feel of military boot camps, others are more easygoing, so participants should find a boot camp that employs an intensity level that is right for them.
References
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment: Colorado's Obesity Rate Grew Faster Than the Country's
- "The Real Insider's Guide to Military Basic Training: A Recruit's Guide of Advice and Hints to Make It Through Boot Camp"; Peter Thompson, 2003
- "Correctional Boot Camps: Military Basic Training or a Model for Corrections?"; Doris L. MacKenzie, 2004
- Google Maps: Weight Loss Boot Camps Near Colorado
- Los Angeles Times: Fitness Boot Camps Offer What Gyms Cannot
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