Bootcamps Are NOT Aerobics Classes Done Outside

A Fitness Training Guest Post By Chris Lopez

A Warning To Personal Trainers: Bootcamps Are NOT

Aerobics Classes Done Outside

I was riding my bike home the other day and passed by one of the bigger parks here in downtown Toronto. Like many parks these days there are always 1 or 2 bootcamps running at the same time.

To tell you the truth, it didn't look like much of a bootcamp. It looked like fluorescent spandex display out of an early 90s infomercial.

The traditional definition of a bootcamp was MILITARY TRAINING.

Bootcamps were tough and rugged affairs meant to separate the strong from the weak and to be challenging both mentally and physically. They were a rite of passage for military recruits to prepare them for battle.

Now I'm not saying that as bootcamp trainers we should run our clientele into the ground and come at them with a whistle and megaphone, but I think we still need to do the name justice and challenge our campers more.

So how do we stop our bootcamps from looking like glorified 1990s Aerobic Classes?

1) Set a Limit to your numbers – don't be greedy. Sure having 30 people in your bootcamp will give you a high rate of return on your balance sheet, but are you really able to supervise that many people and make sure that what they're doing is both effective and safe?  Remember, people hire us for our expertise and to get results. It's hard to give them the best possible service when we've got a 1 to 30 coach to camper ratio.  If you find that your numbers keep on increasing (and that's a good thing), consider hiring another coach to help you out or running back to back camps and split the numbers.

2) Don't always have everybody doing the same thing all at once - You may as well have them warming up doing "step touches" and "grapevines". Sure I think a group dynamic warm-up is essential, but after that, I think the station approach is a much better option. You can alternate stations by having some low-tech bodyweight movements that won't require too much of your supervision, with some moderately technical stations using a TRX, blast straps or medicine balls.

That way, you can keep a better eye on the campers using the equipment and check in every now and then on the campers at the bodyweight station.

3) Stop using pink fluorescent dumbbells - It's a bootcamp, not a muscle pump class. Need I say more?

4) Use kettlebells - I can't emphasize this enough, but I have yet to find a more versatile piece of equipment out there. They can be used the way traditional weights have been used. You can throw them (just make sure you have a clear area), you can swing them, squat, deadlift, press, row.  The options are endless. If you're not using kettlebells in your bootcamp, you're falling behind.

5) Try some "unconventional" equipment - I'm big on creating a supportive team environment when I teach my bootcamps.

So whether you have a bunch of pro athletes or a local group of housewives, try to encourage friendly competition and camaraderie.  Have team games, play tug of war, have tire flipping contests or bear crawl relay races.

Whatever you can do to get your campers to push each other and create some cohesion.

The main thing when you're running your camp is to challenge your participants. Don't be a drill sergeant, but don't turn your opportunity to change people's lives into an 80s revival of "Let's Get Physical".

I'd love to hear your comments below

-

Chris Lopez, CSCS, CTT

Author, TT Kettlebell Revolution

To learn more about how to use kettlebells and bodyweight exercises in your bootcamp, check out KettlebellWorkouts.com

Photos provided by Lisa Balash and Alicia Fong

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