Fitness Bootcamp

What is a fitness bootcamp? Although the term is used to describe various types of weight loss programs, the original version was loosely based on military fitness boot camp. The actual activity you do will depend on the type of fitness program you join but you should expect to spend the majority of your time outdoors.

Fitness bootcamp

Try and find a bootcamp which also provides education on nutrition as losing weight is not the sole objective. You need to become healthier and fitter. You can lose weight by eating less junk but your health and your overall fitness levels will only improve when you overhaul your complete lifestyle including what and when you eat, how often you exercise and whether you smoke, drink or take recreational drugs.

So will a fitness bootcamp work?

It depends on a combination of the attitude of the individual attending and the style of the bootcamp. The better camps will employ properly trained fitness coaches and nutritionists to give you the best chance of success. These people know how to get the best results so you should listen to them.

You need to be ready to work hard. Hopefully you will have fun too but this is not a holiday camp. The average weight loss bootcamp will last a total of four weeks but you can find camps that operate over a weekend or those that last for three months or more. On your first day, you should be thoroughly examined so that you can be placed in the right category for example, beginner, intermediate or advanced.

The idea behind a fitness camp is that you leave a leaner fitter version of your old self not that you kill yourself by joining a class full of people who exercise regularly. This is especially true if your idea of exercise is switching the channel without using a remote control.

Before you start any new fitness program you should see your doctor to make sure your weight issues are not a symptom of any underlying health problems. For example you can become overweight if you are suffering from thyroid problems. Women who have poly cystic ovaries can struggle with weight gain.

In addition to doing saliva or blood serum tests to determine whether hormone deficiency is a factor in your weight gain, your physician can also assess your overall condition. He will check your blood pressure, cholesterol levels and will give his professional opinion on what level of exercise you should start with. The aim of a fitness bootcamp is to make you healthier not cause you to have a stroke or heart attack. If you are currently morbidly obese, it could be extremely dangerous to take part in the kind of exercises you will do at a fitness bootcamp. A more gradual approach under medical supervision would be preferable.

What are the advantages of going to a fitness bootcamp?

Fitness bootcamp exercises

Aside from the obvious weight loss there are many advantages to booking into one of these camps. Your self esteem should soar as when you have completed the fitness bootcamp so not only will your physical condition be much improved but you will look fantastic. You will have accomplished a huge achievement as not everyone who starts on these programs gets to the finishing line.

In addition to weighing less you will also have more flexibility, an improved cardiovascular system and much more stamina. You should also be better able to fight off colds and flu as a healthy body has a much better immune system. Your mood should also be much improved. We all love to look better but exercise also releases endorphins into your brain which helps to promote positive thinking and feelings of happiness.

Are there any disadvantages?

There is a lot of money to be made by opening your own fitness bootcamp business and not everyone who does so has the proper qualifications. While all businesses exist to make a profit, it helps if they are also focused on their clients and not just on their bottom line.

Also some people find it difficult to stick to their new eating and fitness regime when they leave the relative security of the bootcamp environment. It is very motivating to be exercising with a group of people who share similar goals. Being on a diet is less problematic if everyone else is following the same program.

But when you go into the real world, your old habits may be more difficult to break. You will have to be disciplined and committed to continuing with your new lifestyle. You may want to make it a goal to become friendly with other members of the weight loss bootcamp so when it is over, you can support each other in sticking to the new regime.

How do you pick the right fitness bootcamp for you?

There are so many bootcamp programs available it can be hard knowing which is the best option. The key to success is to find somewhere you feel comfortable. When you make your inquiries, the staff should be willing to spend time answering your questions. They should ask you about your goals rather than just making assumptions. You may not want to be a size 4 when you leave but may be more interested in improving your overall fitness with weight loss being an added but side bonus.

You should check that the instructors are certified personal trainers and that the camp is properly accredited. You should also make sure that they carry the proper insurance. At the very least they should have public liability cover in case of an accident occurring. There should be qualified first aiders on the staff with at least one such person covering every shift.

Don’t be too swayed by the before and after pictures you may see adorning the walls or in press advertisements. It is relatively easy to get models to pose for publicity campaigns. Instead why not ask to speak to a few past graduates to see what they liked about the fitness bootcamp and also the issues they were not so keen on.

Most of these fitness or weightloss camps are held outdoors but some centers offer indoor classes too if you are not keen on being too close to nature. Most will arrange classes on the basis of current fitness levels but some will also separate groups according to age or sex. So you can attend a women onlybootcamp if you are not comfortable exercising with male strangers. You can also avoid children by attending adult boot camp.

What about a fitness bootcamp for kids?

It is really sad but hardly surprising that we are currently in the middle of an obesity epidemic that is affecting our kids. There is a real chance that we could end up burying our children before we die which is not the way nature intended. Why? Our children are turning into couch potatoes. They eat more empty calories than previous generations and tend to exercise less.

This lethal combination means that they become overweight, often morbidly so, sometimes from a very early age. Physicians are reporting seeing children who are suffering from diseases that were previously only seen in middle age or even later in life. The rate of childhood diabetes, heart disease, cholesterol problems etc are increasing.

Our children shouldn’t have blocked arteries at the age of ten. Parents and society in general have a duty to look after the next generation. Kids need a balanced nutritious diet encompassing:

1. Carbohydrates – but not the simple kind that only increase blood sugar levels!
2. Protein
3. Fats – the good ones!
4. Fiber
5. Vitamins and minerals
6. Water – not diet sodas or any other “kid” friendly drink

Our kids need a healthy diet to thrive both emotionally and physically. Healthy kids do better at school not only because they are less likely to be bullied but also because their mood is much more stable. When children eat a healthy balanced diet,they will have more energy, be more focused and have a better immune system. By definition they are less likely to be sick.

Children need exercise. Not only does it help to reduce boredom which all parents know can lead to trouble but by getting your child interested in physical activity from an early age, you are teaching him good habits that will hopefully stay with him through his teenager years and into adulthood. Any form of exercise is good but the more he does outdoors the better as he will benefit from vitamin D via the sunshine. This is where a fitness bootcamp can really make a difference

With the variety of computerized toys, cell phones and even so called keep fit TV games available it can be difficult to get your child interested in a ball. Some experts suggest that you do something that will amuse the whole family but in this age pressed time that can be more difficult than it first appears.

Is a weight loss bootcamp for kids the answer? Perhaps but only if you adopt the same principles as you would apply when looking for the right solution for an adult. You also need to make sure all staff have been properly vetted under the various child protection guidelines. It isn’t sufficient that the instructors have the right qualifications. They need to be trust worthy too as your child’s welfare depends on it.

You need to find a camp suitable for your child. If he or she is already quite sporty they may thrive in a competitive environment but if they are shy or insecure, you are asking for trouble by pushing them into attending anywhere that doesn’t recognize the child’s need to go at his own pace. You can read more on bootcamps for kids here.

Stuck for cash? Have you considered starting your own fitness bootcamp?

If you are a fitness junky and have the appropriate qualifications you might want to start your own fitness bootcamp. There is plenty of demand given the current obesity rates in the USA not to mention in all areas of the western world. In fact some would say it is a booming industry.

But it can take time, effort not to mention quite a bit of cash. You will need to decide on what market you wish to enter. For example are you going to run a ladies only bootcamp or one geared to everyone? Perhaps you may decide to specialize in overweight teenagers or maybe children of all ages.

There are ways to provide an excellent service without reinventing the wheel. You can join various companies and use their material including workout session planners and training plans for starters. You don’t need huge premises or fancy fitness bootcamp fliers. But you do need dedicated staff who all share the right attitude. You can read more about setting up your own in our article here or by browsing any of the fitness bootcamp information sites available online.

Why should you pay attention to the fitnessbootcampguide.com?

Good question! Our aim here at the fitnessbootcampguide.com is to bring you unbiased advice and information to help you make the best decision possible when choosing a fitness bootcamp. If you have any questions that we have yet to address then please do contact us. We will do everything in our power to help answer your queries.

Remember today is the first day of the rest of your life. Are you ready to put yours on a new footing by attending a bootcamp soon?