Opinions of BOOT CAMP

The_Raspberry
The_Raspberry Posts: 84 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So a friend of mine, who is really fit, joined a boot camp and it got me inspired. I looked online and found a 6 week program close to my house. It's one hour, 3 times per week for 6 weeks. But it's pretty expensive, around 220 usd (150 euros). So I'm hesitant.

I am scared that i will pay all this money and then not get my moneys worth. Like be to sore to actually do it well, miss workouts for some reason or other. So any experiences you have could help, is it fun?!?

Also, what happens after the six weeks are up, I'll be standing there all fit and what not. Then what? How do I keep it up on my own?

Did any of you try this kind of boot camp? Did it help you get motivated and better in terms of fitness in the long run? Or am I just throwing money away?

Replies

  • The_Raspberry
    The_Raspberry Posts: 84 Member
    bump?
  • 3laine75
    3laine75 Posts: 3,069 Member
    Sounds expensive for what is, essentially just a class. Disclaimer: boot camps are just a class here in the UK, might be different where you are.

    Are you a member of a gym? There might be something similar at your gym that's cheaper.

    ETA: boot camps are all over groupon, wowcher etc here - maybe have a nosy on there and see if there's anything.
  • Sam_I_Am77
    Sam_I_Am77 Posts: 2,093 Member
    I've tried it and my wife did it for a long time as well. What I saw and think...

    Coach: BootCamp is similar to CrossFit in that you're on limited time to complete the WOD and the programming is similar in that you do a ****-load of X, then go do a ****-load of Y, etc., etc. Make sure your coach is good. If he has you do any deadlifting before (or any barbell exercise for that matter) and you've never done it, make sure to express your concern so he/she properly teaches you. My wife messed up her back because her coach had her DL'ing for the first time ever, said her form was good, but it obviously wasn't and it wasn't her fault. Be cautious if the coach gives you a nutrition plan to follow. The one my wife got was not very good and had her way under-eating. I joined for a month and the promotion said he would give you a free nutrition plan, which I thought was cool because he had a CSCS certification and I thought he'd be knowledgeable. He gave me the same meal plan he gave my wife (1,300 calories). If that's too low for her that would've just killed me. LOL!

    Pro's: Get's you active and doing something with some structure and you will work hard. Good aerobic conditioning.

    Cons: You can gain strength in the process but it's not really strength training. The WOD's can be incredibly random, so your body never really adapts to an exercise which is actually bad despite popular believe ("Muscle Confusion").

    EDIT: Ideally, if I were going to make a suggestion. If you have a gym membership I would do a traditional yet basic strength training program twice a week. Something like StrongLifts but instead of doing A, B, A in one week, each week would just be A then B. Then do BC two to three times a week at most.
  • The_Raspberry
    The_Raspberry Posts: 84 Member
    Thanks for your replys! Yes I am a member of a gym, but they don't have a crossfit class. I do sometimes go to a circuit training class sometimes. I hate just going to the gym, I need people around me to motivate me so that is why I am looking for classes to get me going.

    I think what sounds the best is to try and find more strainth training classes at my normal gym and force myself to go without the motivation of the group.

    By the way. What is a dead lift? When does a lift become a dead lift?
  • amandarawr06
    amandarawr06 Posts: 251 Member
    I do a bootcamp class.

    Mine is in a private gym and it runs 6 days a week. The membership which is 180 dollars for 3 months of unlimited classes.

    I absolutely love it. The trainers are really keen for proper form and make sure that everyone is comfortable in their space. It also helps to keep me motivated. It just creates this unique space that wants to succeed. I feel like most places will offer a free trial. Maybe contact these people and ask. Try out day for free and see if its for you.
  • Sam_I_Am77
    Sam_I_Am77 Posts: 2,093 Member
    By the way. What is a dead lift? When does a lift become a dead lift?

    Basically it's a barbell movement in which the bar is on the ground, you grab the weight, and stand-up with it. I'm over-simplifying it a little but that's basically what it is. Typically (not always) with most exercises, the concentric (i.e. pressing or up motion on a bench press) starts after the completion of the eccentric (i.e lowering of the weight) so there is a stretch reflex in there that helps with the concentric motion; one motion starts at the completion of another. In the deadlift, there is no eccentric portion (well kinda, but not really), the lift starts with the concentric pull from the ground with no stretch reflex, so the weight is kind of "dead" in theory.
  • The_Raspberry
    The_Raspberry Posts: 84 Member
    Ok, thanks for your help everyone!

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