Somewhere in the early years of this century, a new trend emerged that originated in the U.S. military: Bootcamp. The Bootcamp Training Method is based on what soldiers in the U.S. Army go through in terms of cardio and strength training to stay in shape.
Table of Contents
The idea behind it is that you go back to basics and that you don’t need any equipment. You use the outdoors to get a full-body workout. The various aspects covered during a Bootcamp Workout include cardiovascular training, strength training, flexibility, and explosiveness.
What is Bootcamp
Bootcamp training sessions take place outdoors, without equipment and other modern means available in sports centers. There is a professional instructor who will guide you through fitness exercises with your own body weight, interval training, and conditioning exercises. This means that Bootcamp is suitable for people who want to lose weight and build strength. And all this in a team setting. The variety in the workouts primarily lies with the personal trainer who designs the exercises. Often, exercises that require teamwork are also devised. So, besides the training, you also get a fun social activity.
Bootcamp Exercises
Because you train outdoors, during a Bootcamp class, you can make use of all possible things you encounter. This way, you’re not limited, and you can create many variations. Some Bootcamp exercises you can expect during a class:
Strength Training
5 sets of 30 squats with your own body weight
5 sets of 15 push-ups with your own body weight
5 sets of 20 meters walking lunges
Endurance
200-meter sprint
Video Bootcamp
Am I Suitable for Bootcamp
Because the origin of this group class is military, many people think that you’re going to be pushed to your limits by a trainer shouting at you. On the contrary, Bootcamp often proceeds more calmly. The ultimate goal is still to make progress physically, but you should do it in a fun and enjoyable way for you. Often, a group consists of a diverse composition, and the level will also be adjusted accordingly. So, if you’re just a beginner, you’ll also be grouped with people of the same level.
Bootcamp Benefits
There are many benefits of Bootcamp. One of the most commonly heard benefits is that you can exercise outdoors and that you can join at any level. It’s a fun way to get in shape outdoors. You also make fun social contacts because it’s a sport you do in groups. Another additional benefit of doing Bootcamp in a group is that due to mild peer pressure, you’re likely to show up again next time. After all, you’re not the only dropout, are you? Let’s recap the benefits:
- Outdoor exercising
- Strength and cardiovascular training
- Fun social contacts
- Burn 1000 kcal with Bootcamp
- Develop muscle strength
- Shed kilos
- Good guidance by instructors and trainers
- Join at any level
Bootcamp Experiences
Some fans have shared their experiences with us so that visitors to our website might find them helpful when they’re in doubt. Experiences can be based on lessons given by individual trainers or by sports centers like HealthCity:
Bootcamp is truly the perfect outdoor training in The Hague. I work in the city during the day, and it’s lovely to train hard in the beautiful dunes. I thought it would be very tough at first. And it is! But the trainers are very knowledgeable and can tell when you can do more or when you’re really at your max. Besides, we’ve built up a nice group with participants who go consistently every week. No more boring gym for me.
Because every session is different and therefore a surprise, this form of training appeals to me a lot. In the past, I often went to the gym, but after doing the same exercises every time, I got tired of it. Now, I often go to Vondelpark and I don’t know what awaits me each time.
