Beware of the Bootcamp

What do skinny jeans and bootcamps have in common?

Title got your attention?  The answer is they are both trendy and abundant but not necessarily the right fit for everyone.

Bootcamps are a common sighting these days, particularly as the weather becomes a little warmer and spring approaches.  Large groups of first time fitness goers and enthusiasts alike fill the parks with the urgency to shed their ‘winter’ weight and get ready for the warmer, less-clothed days ahead.  Bootcamps are not a new form of exercise and definitely take place all year round, but there is also something about the onset of longer days and warmer weather that draws many fitness instructors and fitness seekers by the masses.  The rise of the outdoor bootcamp will once again become prevalent in our city, but before you pre-register and jump in feet first – do your research.

These group fitness classes have many advantages, they are cost-effective, create a sense of community and accountability, and in most cases can be quite intense – many of them promoting you to put in more effort that you would ever do if you were left to your own devices.  As much as there are positives of training in a large group bootcamp format, there are also cautions to be aware of.  Here are some tips to selecting the right fit for you.

Do your Research

Many bootcamps grow through word of mouth; you’d be surprised what type of information you can get by asking co-workers, friends and neighbors.  Be sure that you are choosing a reputable trainer/company that has the proper qualifications to instruct and coach an effective class but also the academic background and experience to ensure participants are staying away from injury.   For more information and tips on how to choose a trainer visit: https://iambishop.com/2012/01/how-to-choose-a-personal-trainer/

Group Size – Small vs Large

The size of a bootcamp varies widely from 4 up to as many as 40 and beyond. The important thing to note here is the trainer to participant ratio.  Typically what happens is the larger the group the less personalized the class becomes.  It’s important to note that everybody has different levels of fitness, different body mechanics, and also some people may have previous injuries and ailments that surface during exercise.  The caution with larger groups is that it becomes impossible to be ‘hand’s on’ with all participants.  Although price per class generally becomes more cost-effective with larger groups, the workouts themselves become more generalized and the risk of injury higher.  It is important to decide what is most important to you, your goals and your individual circumstances when selecting a bootcamp to join.  As a general rule of thumb, a trainer to participant ratio of approximately 1:10 (one trainer per 10 participants) is a small enough group that individual specifics can be addressed.

The Test Drive

Any reputable bootcamp should allow you to interview the instructor and ‘test drive’ a bootcamp class.  This provides you the opportunity to try out the class prior to making your decision  – after all, you don’t just buy a car without getting behind the wheel first!  Ensuring you do a test drive allows you to sample the trainer’s style, personality, level of professionalism, as well as the variety of exercises used and intensity of the workout. Trying out the class first is truly the only way you can make an informed decision before committing to an entire bootcamp series – if an ex-military sergeant screaming at the top of his lungs is not your style…its important to find this out first!

Variety and Injury Prevention

What can often happen with a large bootcamp format is the tendency to become extremely repetitive with exercises and movements that are not necessarily the best for your posture and joints over time.  Choosing a bootcamp that is based on variety and full body conditioning is key.  Sometimes understanding the difference between regular muscular pain and unusual joint pain can also be the critical factor that saves you from overuse injuries.  Try varying up your weekly routine by also including other forms of exercise that are not as aggressive such as yoga or spinning.  You will find this can help prevent over stressing your tendons and joints over time.

So when it comes down to planning your spring workout routine, remember just like fashion trends, there is no cookie-cutter approach to fitness.  Doing a little research, determining what you really want to get out of your training experience and scheduling a test drive can all help you make the choice that fits you best.

More information on Think Fitness Bootcamp Programs: ThinkFitnessStudios.com