Do Bootcamps really work? The simple and true answer is damn right they work! A proper fitness boot camp is usually based on military methods used to keep soldiers at their peak fitness for whatever the job throws at them.
As an ex British Army Physical Training Instructor i have first hand experience of how severe a soldiers job can get and having a top level of fitness is absolutely essential to their survival.
Training methods in the military have progressed with the times but the basics still apply... there is no 'fat burning zone' or 'legs, bums & tums' sessions... there has never been an empty promise with a military boot camp instructor, you're there to work, it's as simple as that!
The phrases, 'thrashed & beasted' are commonly used in the military and for good reason, soldiers are pushed to their physical limits during a training session.
Now, why should a civilian go through this?
Because it works. If it didn't, it wouldnt be used in the military... Although a civilian boot camp, such as Re-Create Boot camp,www.recreatebootcamp.com - are toned down slightly and made a little more fun, the hard work still applies. As head boot camp instructor for Re-Create we try to keep as close to military methods as we can, pushing our boot campers to their individual limits whilst packing it full of variety and fun!
Bootcamps generally use body weight as resistance to train against - so you have classic press ups, squats, leg raises and more... The body can move freely using this form of exercise rather than using fixed resistance machines that you find in a smelly, sweaty gym that hold joints in fixed plains of movement.
Training outdoors is a challenge in itself for bootcampers as they have to deal with what weather is thrown at them and of course the terrain they are training on. I believe training outdoors is miles ahead of training in a gym for a number of reasons - being in the fresh air is definately up at the top of my list (yes, even if it's raining) because it's refreshing!
Boot camp sessions are very fast paced too so clients don't have much time to think about what it is they are actually doing! Especially with an ex military instructor screaming in their shell to push themselves harder!
Boot camps also work because there is a group of bootcampers training together - this almost instantaneously builds cameraderie between them (whether thats because they all can't believe what they are doing or not, i don't know), but a certain bond with each other ensues and they get each other through whatever is thrown at them - another military trait...
Re-Create Boot Camp is specifically designed so that no two sessions are ever the same - our boot campers get to partake in Boxing Training, Circuit, Military Tasks, Mountain Biking, Navigation Exercise, Hiking, Running, Team events such as Tug of War, Command Tasks, Raft Building, Clay Shooting, Core Training, Partner Exercises and games such as Dodge Ball and much more... No gym can compete with a proper, well executed boot camp such as ours. I guarantee it!
Boot Camps work because we have seen the evidence... They work because of the motivation, drive and inspiration we give to our boot campers every single day...