If you want to get a little bit fitter or even lose weight then why not join a fitness bootcamp. They are the latest way to do this and have fun in the process. That’s the theory anyway, but can you actually achieve these goals by attending or applying the ethos of the fitness bootcamp ? Let’s find out.
A Classic Fitness Bootcamp
The classic fitness bootcamp involves spending a couple of weeks or even longer in some location away from your home and surroundings (family and friends, every day things that you do, TV, going to the pub and things like that ). It’s kind of like forcing you out of your comfort zone.
On a psychological level, this sudden change is preparing you for what lies ahead and forcing you to focus on just one thing – the goal or reason you joined the program in the first place (lose weight, get fitter or whatever your goal happens to be).
The Stick
Generally, the program will be run by an instructor or trainer. The trainer can take on a stern demeanor and be quite strict with the attendees. He/she will set them exercise tasks, psychological tasks and even teamwork tasks. He/she will not be their friend and failure to complete the task could result in a punishment or forfeit of some privilege in the camp.
Depending on the program, it could be run by more than one person. For instance, some programs will have a physical trainer, a dietitian, a psychologist, a chef and back up staff to set up exercise equipment, keep the camp going (cooking, cleaning etc.).
Some particularly thorough programs might even make the attendees do cooking and cleaning. The idea behind this is that bad eating habits and a lack of daily structure in a person’s life is often a contributing cause to their lack of fitness or weight gain. So these programs are not so much about fitness but lifestyle redesign.
The Carrot
Another unique aspect of a typical fitness bootcamp is that the individual is with a group of like minded people who have the same or similar goals in mind. This can bond the group together and allow camaraderie to develop amongst the members.
In other words, people in the program can empathize with others in the program and even inspire and encourage them to achieve their goals, be it to lose 20 pounds or run a distance in a certain time. This can be very motivating and, dare I say it, enjoyable or fun if you really get on with the other people.
So the combination of psychological devices to reset the person’s mindset, the stick of a stern instructor and the carrot of teamwork and camaraderie is a potent force in creating lasting change in a person’s life. This is the winning combination of a fitness bootcamp.
Where did the term Bootcamp come from ?
Bootcamp is a military term. It refers to new recruits getting their basic training. Generally they would go to a military base away from their home and be completely isolated from their old life. Services like the army have to change a person very quickly from being a civilian to an effective member of the service. This is the role of the bootcamp and the military have had many years to perfect the format.
The camp would involve attaining a certain level of fitness to prepare them for duties in an operational unit. They might also learn weapons training, the culture of the army/navy/air force and other skills deemed necessary to perform their job.
Special programs are also run for existing military personnel who might be learning a new skill or joining a specialized unit (Marines, Special Ops).
A military bootcamp is often tough for the new recruits but it is considered to be tough “love” rather than anything malicious, as it could save the recruits life when they get on the front line or on active duty. And
Bootcamp Becomes A Marketing Term.
So this military inspired idea has really come on in the past few years. You can get a boot camp that follows the same blueprint for just about anything these days. In fact the word has pretty much been diluted to the extent that any course or program is given this moniker.
Today, you will find fitness boot camps that operate on weekends. They don’t break a person out of their old habits and they don’t have the constancy of a real program. But people often lead busy lives and can’t commit to 2 weeks so this allows them to fit getting fit or losing weight into their lifestyle.
This is not a bad thing as some exercise is better than none at all. However it may not be as effective as a proper course. It might better be termed a fitness club. You still get the instructor or trainer and you form up with like minded people so 2 out of 3 ain’t too bad.
The instructor may not take on the stern role of the classic bootcamp as people would just stop coming to the course. Instead, the instructor takes on more of a mentoring and confidant role, a bit like a personal trainer that actively works with you to achieve your weight loss or fitness goals.
Fitness bootcamps might also be a course run by your local gym that you attend a couple of times a week. Again, it has the professional instructor and the group ethic to help motivate people. And since most people know what a bootcamp is nowadays, just the term gives them a bit of a psychological reset for what lies ahead.
Home Fitness Bootcamps
You can even get books and other media these days that allow you to have the fitness bootcamp in your own home. It could be a demonstration of the SAS or Marines boot camp or maybe a popular reality TV show like “Biggest Loser” in book or video form.
The individual can watch the material and then apply it to their lives. In fact, many fitness workouts can be purchased on DVD or downloaded over the internet are given the bootcamp appellation. People are advised to put it on the TV and then follow the instruction from their lounge room.
I would say these are obviously less effective than the real thing, but again, serve a role. Some exercise is better than none. However, it is tough to follow these programs as you have no group camaraderie and you can’t even relate to the instructor as he/she is only on a TV screen.
