Boot Camp - Way To A Healthier And Fitter You

The training regimen of a boot camp is becoming increasingly popular these days. These camps have come into vogue after similar but much stringent programmes have been successfully employed by the armed forces of various countries, especially the US, to train their personnel.

A boot camp is usually a small group of people working out together. The first day generally begins by a fitness test of all participants. Thereafter, members are divided into teams and each team works on a particular exercise. Sophisticated equipment used at gyms is often absent from boot camps; this is a platform where volunteers try to increase their stamina and strength by taking up traditional exercises like sit-ups, push-ups and jogging.

Working out at boot camps not only saves the expenses of going to a gym but also gives people a greater chance to widen their social circle. Boot camps are often organised in parks and the fun of exercising in fresh air and open grounds with one's friends is another advantage that draws a large number of people to join such fitness modules. The monotony of working out alone at one's private gym is also largely absent from these camps.

An hour-long session at a boot camp can be quite healthy. The exercise schedule can vary but the most common exercises include rope jumping, various types of military drills, stair climbing practice and cardio workout. Special attention is given to building stamina and muscle strength, with some camps even conducting yoga classes.

A boot camp is as rigorous as any other fitness camp, but the presence of friends and peers is a motivating factor that enables members to give their best. The slower ones are constantly encouraged and motivated by the whole group, which often given a big boost to individual performance. Also, a sense of camaraderie develops between everyone and inspires all to strive harder for a healthier life.

In a number of instances the trainers at a boot camp are retired military men. The technique mastered by the armed forces reflects in the tasks they set for the participants. The whole idea of getting people out of the comfort of their homes or million-dollar gyms to parks and open fields is invigorating in itself. Added to this are the strenuous exercises assigned to them by the trainers. The strict discipline complemented by a friendly atmosphere at these boot camps makes them an ideal place for those looking to work out to their heart's content.

And the package does not end here. A modern boot camp also offers expert nutritional advice to its members. People are given information about food and drinks that can give them more strength and stamina without adding flab to their bodies.

However, one must also know the other face of a boot camp before deciding to become a part of the herd. Unlike a gym, where one gets the complete and undivided attention of a personal trainer, the trainers in boot camps often have to focus on the entire group. The exercises included in the programme are also very general in nature and are not tailor-made to suit every individual's fitness level. Sometimes, trainers at boot camps may try to push people through injuries, which can be harmful. If an instructor fails to answer any fitness related query and has his own way of diagnosing or treating any physical problem without the intervention of a physician, one should treat it as a red flag.

Observing a boot camp for a couple of days before joining it could be an easy solution. And if one is satisfied thus, go ahead and join the fray for a healthier and fitter tomorrow.

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