So What Exactly is a Boot Camp?

So What Exactly is a Boot Camp?

If you’ve ever been up early in the morning or wandered outdoors at lunchtime or after work you, will have noticed groups of happy looking people exercising on parks and beaches all over town. And they seem to be working hard too, lead by a trainer who has the participants running up and down, jumping and doing all sorts of exercises.

Boot camps (or small group training sessions as they are often called) have taken off around the world with people enjoying the group atmosphere, the fresh air and the chance to get fit.

So what exactly is a boot camp?
The images the word ‘boot camp’ conjures up for many of us are of military based operations with drill sergeants and far too many push-ups. While the original boot camps were military style operations, as time has passed there are many more civilian style formats that cater for all fitness levels, with trained and qualified personal trainers that are more about supporting you, rather than making you suffer. Wellington personal trainer and finalist in this year’s NZ Fitness Awards James Stewart takes regular boot camp sessions. James says “a smart boot camp operator will modify certain exercises to ensure you are able get through the workout, and not put you in a position where you feel you can not do it.”

What is involved?
Just as each gym or class is different, so is boot camp. A good boot camp will offer cardiovascular fitness as well as strength and flexibility gains in a medium to high intensity workout. Many exercises use bodyweight or the natural terrain (if the boot camp is near some stairs there’s a good chance you’ll be climbing them). It’s more like a personal training session than a group exercise class.

James Stewart recommends boot camps for variety in your workout “Boot camp is great for people who want something different compared to an indoor gym based workout, a boot camp session will be anything but routine and provide varied challenges at each session.”

Benefits of ‘boot camps’
• The outdoor setting is great for those who don’t like to work in a traditional exercise setting.
• Outdoors means wet weather too, so not for the faint hearted on a cold and windy morning, although boot camp devotees claim this is half the fun.
• Boot camps are usually held VERY early in the morning or after work; while the thought of waking at 5 to workout frightens many of us, it’s a great way to get it out of the way before heading to the office for a day’s sitting.

Choosing your boot camp
Any fitness or exercise activity has some risk, so make sure your session is operated by someone with the right education, has plenty of experience, and who is able to offer you encouragement during and between sessions. By choosing a boot camp offered by a REPs Registered Exercise Professional, you can be assured your trainer knows their stuff.

Some good advice is:
• If you are new, choose a programme that has ten or less people in it to ensure your trainer can give you the support you need.
• Talk to the trainer prior to signing up to make sure their training style is the right fit for you
• Make sure your trainer is registered with the New Zealand Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs).
You can search the New Zealand public register of exercise professionals at www.reps.org.nz
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