Exercise Program: Fitness Boot Camp

In most of our minds, the term "boot camp" is associated with uniformed officers barking out orders while recruits work themselves to exhaustion. But the scene at most fitness boot camps is much different. While there may be some trainers who use intimidation tactics, most are much easier to deal with. They expect participants to show up and do their best, but they are also realistic and approachable.

Why Boot Camp Exercise Programs Are Effective

So if the trainers do not intimidate participants into getting fit, why do these programs work so well? There are several reasons. For one thing, they encourage healthy competition between participants. Activities are often designed so that there is a clear winner, and this brings out everyone's competitive spirit. Winning feels good, and we're more likely to give it our all when we're up against others. Yet there's also a sense of camaraderie among participants that comes from facing challenges together.

Boot camp exercise programs also offer types of exercise that you may not find in other programs. Most boot camp activities are held outdoors, and they may include such things as hiking, wall climbing, obstacle courses and team competitions. This makes exercise something to look forward to, keeping us motivated.

There are also boot camps designed for specific groups, or those with common goals. Some are targeted toward general fitness, while others are designed to promote weight loss. There are boot camps for women, seniors and kids. And there are programs that focus on specific sports, such as cycling or soccer. With all of these options, there's sure to be a boot camp that's right for anyone who is interested.

Your Own Personal Boot Camp

A boot camp exercise program can be highly effective, but it isn't necessarily cheap. While it usually costs less than one-on-one sessions with a personal trainer, the price can still be prohibitive for some. If you can't find room in the budget for boot camp, however, you can still apply some of the principles to your own workout.

Boot camp participants are often expected to perform exercises in rapid succession to maximize cardiac benefits and calorie burning. You can easily do this on your own. Just start out with stretching, then do some running or other intense exercise for 5 to 10 minutes. Move on to some strength building exercises, then alternate between intensity levels for the remainder of your workout.

And don't forget to add a little adventure to your regimen. You could create your own obstacle course in your backyard, try a new piece of equipment, or explore new hiking trails. Variety will keep things interesting.

Boot camp fitness programs have rapidly gained popularity in a short amount of time. They're great for those who lack motivation or thrive on teamwork. And as many people are finding out, they can whip one into shape very quickly.