Boot camps seem to be really popular right now. How would you rate them against a personal training session and do they really burn more calories than a fitness class?
Dear Cindy,
Boot camps seem to be really popular right now. How would you rate them against a personal training session and do they really burn more calories than a fitness class? - Kara
Dear Kara,
Comparing a boot camp to a personal training session would be difficult because it would be solely dependent on who's in charge of each. The knowledge of the personal trainer and boot camp instructor determines the effectiveness of the session or the camp experience. More important, boot camps can be quite different from one another based on their intent and intensity.
Boot camps conjure up a hardcore military workout designed to physically prepare soldiers in a short amount of time, but in the fitness world, the term "boot camp" is more loosely defined.
For example, some boot camps focus on losing weight, while others develop strength, muscular definition or endurance. Boot camps can be sports specific or dance oriented or for those pursuing martial arts. There are coed camps as well as those exclusive to women or men. There are even kinder, gentler boot camps designed around yoga, massage and meditation. And, of course, intensity - beginner level to advanced - is a distinguishing factor.
However, jump into one of these boot camps, and it's likely you'll discover they also have certain characteristics in common.
There will be (or should be) a strong, assertive leader - one who will set goals high and spend the entire camp pushing you to your limit. There seems to be an unwritten law that gives the instructor permission to abuse you - just slightly, which isn't the case in most traditional fitness classes.The class will usually attract a small group of highly driven people with common goals. This creates a unique class chemistry, which builds a team-spirit environment. When this occurs, it's magic, and the class itself becomes a separate motivational force sometimes more powerful than the instructor's whip and whistle.Boot camps will alternate high-intensity strength efforts with lower-intensity cardio periods, which make them an interval-training workout. Interval training will boost your cardiovascular efficiency and improve the way your body consumes and uses oxygen.Ironically, boot camps are all different - none is tied to a piece of equipment or protocol. They are standalone fitness quests that ask only that its participants survive. It's a simple but demanding concept, one that imbeds deep into goal-oriented men and women and stirs their competitive juices.
Which burns more calories, a fitness class or a boot camp? This exact number depends on the individual's body weight, their intensity and the duration of each work effort. But on average, according the American Council on Exercise, boot camps burned 9.8 calories per minute, or about 600 calories, in a 60-minute workout in a study conducted the University of Wisconsin. Boot camps also include a serious muscle building component. Combining cardio and strength together keeps the intensity high and results impressive.
If a boot camp experience sounds like your way to a tighter, leaner body, keep the following information in mind:
Many are held outdoors, which means you need to be prepared for all that the weather can bring - heat, humidity, sun, rain, wind, cold and allergens.You may be challenged to work with unconventional tools and exercises.Some may encourage a competitive exercise environment.Each workout can be completely different from the last. Variety challenges the muscles and prevents boredom and overuse injuries.Boot camps vary greatly with regard to intensity, so join one that is geared for your fitness level.Be ready to do athletic moves such as push-ups - lots of them.Expect to be pre-tested and post-tested to measure progress.
Boot camps can put you on the fast track to fitness if you choose one that is designed for your fitness level and your goals. Dedicating yourself to a boot camp outdoors in the fall can be a wonderful environment to jumpstart weight loss. But expect that fast track to have lots of twists and turns that may make you wish you'd slowed down and taken the scenic route.
Cindy Boggs, fitness presenter, author and Activate America director, has been an ACE-certified coordinator/instructor since 1989. Send your questions about fitness, training or health to YMCA of Kanawha Valley, 100 YMCA Drive, Charleston, WV 25311, or e-mail cindys...@aol.com.
Dear Cindy,
Boot camps seem to be really popular right now. How would you rate them against a personal training session and do they really burn more calories than a fitness class? - Kara
Dear Kara,
Comparing a boot camp to a personal training session would be difficult because it would be solely dependent on who's in charge of each. The knowledge of the personal trainer and boot camp instructor determines the effectiveness of the session or the camp experience. More important, boot camps can be quite different from one another based on their intent and intensity.
Boot camps conjure up a hardcore military workout designed to physically prepare soldiers in a short amount of time, but in the fitness world, the term "boot camp" is more loosely defined.
For example, some boot camps focus on losing weight, while others develop strength, muscular definition or endurance. Boot camps can be sports specific or dance oriented or for those pursuing martial arts. There are coed camps as well as those exclusive to women or men. There are even kinder, gentler boot camps designed around yoga, massage and meditation. And, of course, intensity - beginner level to advanced - is a distinguishing factor.
However, jump into one of these boot camps, and it's likely you'll discover they also have certain characteristics in common.
There will be (or should be) a strong, assertive leader - one who will set goals high and spend the entire camp pushing you to your limit. There seems to be an unwritten law that gives the instructor permission to abuse you - just slightly, which isn't the case in most traditional fitness classes.The class will usually attract a small group of highly driven people with common goals. This creates a unique class chemistry, which builds a team-spirit environment. When this occurs, it's magic, and the class itself becomes a separate motivational force sometimes more powerful than the instructor's whip and whistle.Boot camps will alternate high-intensity strength efforts with lower-intensity cardio periods, which make them an interval-training workout. Interval training will boost your cardiovascular efficiency and improve the way your body consumes and uses oxygen.Ironically, boot camps are all different - none is tied to a piece of equipment or protocol. They are standalone fitness quests that ask only that its participants survive. It's a simple but demanding concept, one that imbeds deep into goal-oriented men and women and stirs their competitive juices.Which burns more calories, a fitness class or a boot camp? This exact number depends on the individual's body weight, their intensity and the duration of each work effort. But on average, according the American Council on Exercise, boot camps burned 9.8 calories per minute, or about 600 calories, in a 60-minute workout in a study conducted the University of Wisconsin. Boot camps also include a serious muscle building component. Combining cardio and strength together keeps the intensity high and results impressive.
If a boot camp experience sounds like your way to a tighter, leaner body, keep the following information in mind:
Many are held outdoors, which means you need to be prepared for all that the weather can bring - heat, humidity, sun, rain, wind, cold and allergens.You may be challenged to work with unconventional tools and exercises.Some may encourage a competitive exercise environment.Each workout can be completely different from the last. Variety challenges the muscles and prevents boredom and overuse injuries.Boot camps vary greatly with regard to intensity, so join one that is geared for your fitness level.Be ready to do athletic moves such as push-ups - lots of them.Expect to be pre-tested and post-tested to measure progress.Boot camps can put you on the fast track to fitness if you choose one that is designed for your fitness level and your goals. Dedicating yourself to a boot camp outdoors in the fall can be a wonderful environment to jumpstart weight loss. But expect that fast track to have lots of twists and turns that may make you wish you'd slowed down and taken the scenic route.
Cindy Boggs, fitness presenter, author and Activate America director, has been an ACE-certified coordinator/instructor since 1989. Send your questions about fitness, training or health to YMCA of Kanawha Valley, 100 YMCA Drive, Charleston, WV 25311, or e-mail cindys...@aol.com.
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