WHAT springs to mind when you think of ‘boot camp’?
Attempting (and failing) burpees in a muddy field in the middle of winter?
Being shouted out by a would-be drill sergeant?
Wearing a coloured bib that exposes your fitness level (ie. non-existent) to the entire class?
It’s a more modern, more precise and, especially, more enjoyable form of boot camp training
The sheer thought of typical boot camp is enough to make you give up before you’ve even started. And after years of these so-called military-inspired torture sessions, it would seem we’ve quite frankly had enough of being shouted at.
The Y-Club has recently launched their own take on boot camp similar to the training experienced by soldiers (which is based on intensive drills composed of simple physical movements) but without the unnecessary army role play. Instead, personal trainer, Rich Brodie, has designed a programme to challenge without intimidating.
It’s a more modern, more precise and, especially, more enjoyable form of boot camp training. Held indoors, away from the elements in the Y Club’s vast sport’s hall, the boot camp sessions last for one hour. Rich uses interval training and, armed with his stopwatch, directs a series of quick low to high intensity exercise workouts interspersed with 20 second rest periods to keep participants interested as well as energised.
Classes are of mixed ability, and despite being a group activity there’s no singling people out or encouraging too much competitive edge. Rich regularly participants “You’re only competing with yourself” and it pays off. Groups work together as a team and the result of this encouragement is everyone giving it their all. Plus it’s a great place to make new friends, often with similar fitness goals.
Cardio exercises include jogging, sprinting, knee lifts and pushing tyres in a fun relay. These activities are combined with toning exercises such as press ups, lunges and squats – all completed in a variety of circuits designed by Rich, utilising all of the space.
All boot camp sessions are full body workouts and because most of these exercises isolate the core, there’s no need for endless monotonous crunches as you’ll find in a lot of fitness classes. Every circuit will target your abs without you realising and with summer on the way, it’s the one area of the body we’re all keen to hone ahead of holidays.
The sporadic nature of Rich’s routine means it doesn’t ever get boring or overly complicated. For those looking to be pushed, he will step it up a gear, but equally, he can include alternative lower impact versions of exercises for those who are struggling. He says, for example, “If you can’t do full press ups, do half press ups” because doing something is better than doing nothing, after all. And definitely better than a ‘telling off’...
Want to sweat with a smile? Indoor boot camp training sessions take place every Monday and Thursday, 7am -8am and Thursday evening 6.45pm - 7.45pm at the Y Club in Castlefield. Each class features a high intensity workout including cardiovascular and strength training designed to help you both tone and lose weight. Classes are open to both members (free) and non-members (£5 per drop-in session).
