Boot camp

Boot camp refers to a type of physical training program, often modeled after military training, with the aim of building strength and fitness through a variety of intense group intervals over a 1-hour period of time. Boot camps often target large groups of people and are typically held outdoors. They are designed to push people a little bit further than they would normally push themselves in the gym alone.

Boot camps provide social interaction and are different from typical gym training. They focus on military style exercise to get dramatic results, and the team atmosphere can provide camaraderie and bolster a person's determination.

History

The term "boot camp" comes from the intense, quick training given to new military recruits. The first boot camp started in the US, and the concept was quickly adopted all over the world. Boot camps have been popular for many years as a form of group physical training program designed to build strength and fitness through a variety of intense, military style exercises.

Structure

A boot camp workout is essentially a type of interval training — bursts of intense activity alternated with intervals of lighter activity. The goal of a boot camp is to provide a whole-body workout that builds strength and endurance.

Boot camps often include body weight exercises, such as push-ups, squats and lunges, as well as drills and sprints. In essence, a boot camp workout is a type of high intensity interval training (HIIT), which research has shown can be effective for burning fat and building muscle.

Benefits

Boot camps can be beneficial for many reasons. They provide a high-intensity, varied workout that includes both cardiovascular and strength training exercises. They are also usually well-suited for all fitness levels, as the exercises can be modified to fit each person's individual fitness level.

Another benefit of boot camps is the sense of camaraderie and team effort that is promoted among the participants. This can be a motivating factor for those who find it difficult to stick to a regular exercise program.

See also

• Physical fitness
• High-intensity interval training
• Military education and training