Surviving Boot Camp Classes

Ok. This is an intervention. A word to the wise, actually. If you are not at least in somewhat decent shape, or somewhere on the way to it, you should not be attending extreme boot camp fitness classes. Yet. As I say this, I also realize that I risk losing business, because some who may be considering taking my outdoor classes may also happen upon this blog.
However, I'd rather have you come and really feel the right type of challenge that a boot camp class is supposed to provide, instead of coming to my class, or somebody else's and finding yourself wanting to puke, quit or pass out.

Now, let me just say, that as trends go, boot camps are all the rage right now. I have taught sports conditioning and boot camp type classes for years, but all of a sudden, EVERY fitness instructor, personal trainer or weight loss loser with even half a brain of exercise knowledge has decided to start up a boot camp at a park near you. Your Grandma is probably running a boot camp somewhere right now, and you don't even know it. That's how many there are out here right now, in every city, town, state and country. They're spreading quicker than the boubonic plague.
Also, because of popular weight loss shows like Celebrity Fit Club and The Biggest Loser, everybody, deconditioned or not, thinks that taking a hard paced, leave it all on the floor boot camp run by a take no prisoners instructor is the new cool thing to jump on.

Now, there's nothing wrong with wanting to go hard....but be realistic. If you've been basically sitting on your can for months, haven't run or jumped in ages, and do not exercise with at least some consistency, why would you all of a sudden step up into a class designed to push you at a much harder pace than the normal fitness class/routine? What do you really think you will gain? I'll tell you what will happen...you will have one of the worst hours of your life that seems like it will never end. You might get sick. Because of your lack of physical activity on a regular basis, you might get injured. Also, it might be such a harrowing experience physically and mentally (not to mention, embarrassing) that you might not try to exercise again for a long time, thus putting you right back at square one. A lucky few deconditioned souls might survive unscathed, but they are the exceptions.

So...let's avoid any of the negative experiences or effects mentioned above by doing one simple thing: start exercising at least a few weeks before you decide to go jump on the boot camp bandwagon. Hit a few runs or bike some miles to get your cardio level back up, start doing some basic calisthenics such as push ups, lunges, squats and crunches, etc, and also, start stretching. This type of pre conditioning will give you a much better foundation and also will put you in a better position to take a boot camp class for what it is really designed for; to push your fitness to the NEXT level. Now, when you do attend such a program, you'll feel better as you go through it and also will be more able to push yourself and rise to the challenges given instead of just trying to survive.

I can't tell you how many times I've experienced someone popping up at one of my boot camps or sports conditioning classes, and getting sick, getting dizzy, becoming quickly fatigued or unable to finish. I'm not always that extreme either, unless a bunch of well conditioned athletic types show up at my class. THEN, I get out the big guns! But even so, in my boot camp you need to come ready to do sprints, jump rope, hop over stuff, do burpees, maybe a few sets of bench jumps if I'm feeling a bit sadistic, and yes, OF COURSE, do push ups and/or planks, among other things. That's like the letter 'A' to me. I change my line up from week to week, but know that you WILL be challenged if you do dare come. Boot camp ain't supposed to be easy....

So, be smart. Be ready for that challenge, no matter whose boot camp it is.
Start getting at least a little exercise in beforehand, and you'll have a much better time. Trust me! ;)

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