If you are looking for a fun yet challenging way to whip your body into shape, you may consider signing up for a fitness boot camp. Fitness boot camps are a form of group exercise that combines the use of calisthenic and body weight exercises with cardiovascular, interval and strength training, according to the IDEA Health & Fitness Association. Bob Weinstein and Joseph R. Weinstein, authors of "Boot Camp Fitness for All Shapes and Sizes," suggest that fitness boot camps were designed with camaraderie in mind and offer a motivational, cost-effective way to get in shape.
Structure
Fitness boot camps are modeled after military boot camps and are designed to motivate participants to work hard to achieve their weight loss goals, according to Georgette Pann and Tammy Greear, authors of "Sure Victory at Home: Your Self-Training Guide to Boot Camp Workouts That Blast Fat & Build Power." While each fitness boot camp is designed to meet the needs of the participants, the IDEA Health & Fitness Association suggests that most operate on a four- to eight-week cycle and meet two to three times each week. The size of the group typically ranges from 10 to 15 participants, according to Bob Weinstein and Joseph R. Weinstein. Additionally, fitness boot camps may include an orientation session to meet the instructor, complete paperwork or perform an initial fitness assessment. Cat Smiley, author of "The Boot Camp Workout," suggests that each fitness boot camp session is typically 50 to 60 minutes in length and should consist of a 10 minute warm-up, followed by 30 to 40 minutes of cardiovascular, strength or resistance training and a 10-minute cooldown or stretching.
Selecting the Right Boot Camp
When it comes to selecting the right fitness boot camp, you may find yourself overwhelmed with all of the options available. Bob Weinstein and Joseph R. Weinstein suggest that you consider cost, location, time and the instructor when narrowing your choices. The IDEA Health & Fitness Association finds that one of the most important factors to consider is whether your instructor is certified to teach the classes she is leading. You should also consider the time of day when choosing the right boot camp for you. Bob Weinstein and Joseph R. Weinstein suggest that most boot camps are offered early in the morning or in the evening.
Benefits
Fitness boot camps may vary in style depending on the instructor but offer a variety of benefits to participants. IDEA Health & Fitness Association suggests that you can save money and maximize your time by getting a total body workout during each boot camp session. Taking part in a fitness boot camp also allows you to interact and exercise with other participants who may share the same fitness goals.
Drawbacks
If you require one-on-one personal attention, Pann and Greear suggest that fitness boot camp may not be the right exercise tool for you. The size of your class can affect the amount of feedback or personal instruction you receive from the instructor, according to Smiley. Additionally, fitness boot camps typically utilize basic exercises that can be performed by a variety of participants at different levels of fitness. However, Smiley finds that you may have to modify certain exercises to meet your specific needs.
References
- "Boot Camp Fitness for All Shapes and Sizes"; Bob Weinstein and Joseph R. Weinstein; 2010
- "Sure Victory at Home: Your Self-Training Guide to Boot Camp Workouts that Blast Fat & Build Power"; Georgette Pann and Tammy Greear; 201
- "The Boot Camp Workout"; Cat Smiley; 2005
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