The Camp: bridal boot camp review

Location: Scotland, near Dumfries
My goal: To improve fitness levels ahead of the marathon and shape up for my wedding 

When I was sat on the train waiting to depart London Euston, I tried to remember my last experience of boot camp. I remember it being a gruelling but enjoyable experience that led me to make significant changes to my lifestyle – I no longer drink tea or coffee, and I actually enjoy running! So, put bluntly, with all my hopes and expectations, The Camp (the original boot camp) had a lot to live up to.

At a first glance I wasn’t disappointed. I was collected, along with other bootcampers from Carlisle train station and delivered to Shennanton House, an imposing mansion house which was to be our home for the next seven days. We were weighed and measured and told our fat to muscle ratio. Mine was 29.5% fat and 39.5% muscle. I was left pretty distraught to hear I am a third fat, but it was time to get moving!

During the week we’re set numerous challenges, not least to get up for a 6am workout on the lawn every day. We’re put to the test physically, emotionally and mentally. Abseiling, hill walking and mountain biking are all on the cards, plus we’re told there’s a pretty nerve-racking (and chilly) river-crossing to complete. This all takes place in the wet and wilds of the local Scottish countryside. The remoteness of Shennanton House make it the perfect location for a weight loss camp – there’s no supermarket for miles and miles!

A typical day:

6am 40-minute circuits workout on the lawn
7am breakfast: muesli with soya milk
Abseil
11am snack homemade flapjack
Hill-walking
1pm Lunch Mackerel salad
Trim trail in the grounds of Shennanton House
Breathing exercises
4pm snack mixed seeds
Compass reading and a 2km walk
7pm Dinner – duck pea and mint soup followed by duck with braised cabbage
Boxing
Swiss ball exercises
Cool down
One piece of fruit - pear
9pm Bed

Using the grounds of Shennanton House PTs Bobby and Ewan devised a circuit they affectionately called ‘The Trim Trail’. We lifted logs instead of weights, used benches to perform tricep dips, got down and dirty on the ground to do pressups and situps and doid sprints up and down the drive. Not only was this a great 20-minute workout, but it showed us how simple it is to create a workout in the local park.

The (wonderful) group of women I shared the week with were of similar fitness ability but of all ages. It’s a great advert for The Camp that four of the women were returning guests, who love and trust the approach on offer at The Camp. The PTs, all ex-military or adventure trained have a real zest for life, one which is infectious. Even though sense of humour failure set in towards the end of the week, when the rain, cold and wind took their toll, The Camp’s leader Sam remained full of enthusiasm and motivation.

At the end of the week I actually felt rested. I hadn’t once thought about work, wedding planning or marathon training. I left The Camp having lost 6 cm on my waist and two and a half pounds. I also gained an extra percentage of muscle and lost a percentage of fat. Feeling pretty chuffed with myself and with renewed vigour to hit marathon training hard, I was sad to wave goodbye to the PTs and to my new friends.

Why YOU should go to The Camp:

-       The food - though small in portions, is exquisite, fresh and homemade

-       The location - is beautiful and wild, the complete opposite of the hustle and bustle of London or city life.

-       The results – are guaranteed. You will change your body and lose inches over your whole body. Plus, you’ll continue to lose weight after The Camp because your metabolism is working faster.

Interested? Visit i www.thecamp.co.uk for more information, to check available dates and to book.

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