Boot Camp Workout – Is It the Right Choice for You?

The idea of boot camp originates in the military, where soldiers are put through intense drills to develop their strength, agility, response times and discipline. Decades ago, a few daring fitness trainers decided to apply the basic principles of military boot camps to their own fitness classes. The results were positive, people improved their fitness and discipline, and the trend caught on. To this day, huge numbers of gyms and trainers offer boot camp workout routines and programs. For many people, this intense style of training was just what they needed to get the extra drive to succeed in losing weight and building strength.

“That’s great!” you might say. “I’m signing up tomorrow!” Well, it might not be as simple as all that. Although it sounds exciting and certainly different from regular fitness workouts, boot camp training is not for everyone. For starters, it has a high level of intensity in terms of types of exercises, duration and pace of execution. It is as Spartan as any military boot camp you see in movies, and, while this is key to the success of people who use this type of routine, not everyone would benefit as much from it,

Before you decide to join a boot camp workout program, here are a few facts you need to know about it:

  1. It Usually Attracts Competitive People

Boot camp workout is the perfect level of exercise for over-achievers to show off their strength, fitness and ability to be top dog each other. If you are not a competitive person and do not feel the stimulus of bettering other people in your gym class, you will probably feel left behind. Even worse, you might feel as if no one will slow down for long enough to help you catch up with everyone else.

On the other hand, there’s always the risk of injury from overexertion. If you are competitive but do not have the same level of fitness as the average person in your class, you may try too hard to surpass them, and injure yourself.

  1. It Is Not Recommended For Newbies

If you have just joined a fitness program in the attempt of shedding the extra pounds and tightening up your muscles, you are certainly not ready for boot camp. This type of training requires a lot of stamina. The breaks between routines are few and short. You will be demanded to do lots of military style exercises, such as push-ups, pull-ups, calisthenics and fast sprints. A regular boot camp training session includes around 150 minutes of moderate exercises, followed by 75 minutes of very intense, fast-paced routines.

  1. If You Have a Health Condition, You May Not Qualify

Boot camp puts your whole body through very intense physical exertion. If you suffer from any medical conditions, such as heart or blood circulation problems, weakened muscles due to accident or surgery, chronic pain, etc., boot camp training might worsen them and lead to further complications.

It is mandatory, if you are susceptible to these kinds of complications, to consult with your doctor before you consider joining a boot camp training class, and get certified health clearance. Even if you get medical clearance, you must still inform the trainers of it, and they will decide whether you are fit to join the class or not.

With so many caveats, is it still worthwhile considering a boot camp workout? Yes, it most certainly is. It is an extremely varied fitness program, with quick changes in exercises. It can be done both indoors and outdoors, and does not require specific equipment.

Boot camp training focuses on building your strength, endurance and flexibility. It will also help you develop spirit of camaraderie with the other people in your class, which is just as valuable as being fit and healthy. If you are willing to work hard and at high levels of intensity, for a stronger body and a healthier lifestyle, and you have no special medical conditions preventing it, then boot camp training can be the right choice for you.