The word “bootcamp” immediately brings to mind the regimented and extreme behavior of an army bootcamp. Of course at a fitness bootcamp we don’t expect to be shouted at and humiliated by a sergeant major, and sent to the stockade if we don’t accomplish his targets. That is where there is a huge distinction between an Army bootcamp and a fitness bootcamp. In the army you have to meet somebody else’s targets, however at fitness bootcamp you are striving to meet and exceed your own goals and targets.
However there are many similarities between the two bootcamps. Giving proper respect to the Army way of doing things and drawing on some of their methods can indeed help health and fitness bootcamp members take big leaps towards their goals.
Let’s examine two major similarities between an army bootcamp and fitness bootcamp, and see if we can learn from the Army approach.
Features of any Fitness Bootcamp
Bootcamps are renowned for blazing intensity. It does not matter whether you are in an army bootcamp or a fitness bootcamp; you can expect high intensity workouts of elevated heartbeat and anaerobic activity. There is a difference though., actually a number of differences. In between the workouts, army cadets will be expect to stand in line perfectly still for hours. While this may be seen as possibly a stamina workout of sorts, that is not it’s purpose, the purpose is discipline of the individual, something not required at fitness bootcamp.
In his Time Magazine series about Army Boot Camp Frank Pellegrini is quoted as saying, “Want to know what it’s like to be in the Army? Try standing in one place, ramrod straight and perfectly still. If a mosquito bites you, don’t slap it. If sweat rolls into your eye, don’t wipe it away. And if you scratch your thigh, do 20 push-ups and jump back into position.”
Can you imagine this kind of treatment at a bootcamp? Thankfully no! But you can expect the same kind of targeted training that will help you reach your goals. You can also expect to have your instructor shouting out instructions, but perhaps with more an encouraging tone than a threatening one! So if you need motivation during class, just think how lucky you are to be at fitness bootcamp and not an army bootcamp!
One of the major advantages of bootcamps is that the large group dynamic will often help motivate the participants. The army uses this to good effect with motivation chanting. Even at fitness bootcamp, you may occasionally hear some members shouting out group encouragement. This kind of encouragement can be excellent motivation for members that are just starting to wear down and are struggling with the pace.
Individual training does not have the advantage of this kind of encouragement. So group dynamics should definitely be maximized to full effect at fitness bootcamp. In the army, group dynamics are extremely important as they may one day impact life and death situations. At fitness bootcamp group dynamics and the intensity can help overcome apathy and encourage pushing for just a few more minutes of fat busting activity.
For the sake of fitness bootcamps everywhere, I sure hope that they don’t steer too far from Army bootcamps. I think a huge chunk of the success of fitness bootcamps can be attributed to its similarities with Army bootcamps.
A platoon in training is only as good as the Sergeant. The same thing can be said with fitness bootcamp trainers. However, they have different “motivational” styles. In the Army, you will do everything to please the Sergeant. In fitness, you will do everything to be like your trainer who’s showing the benefits of his training.
But the students and the soldiers are generally the same. They both understand that the group is only as strong as the weakest link so they push and motivate everyone.
You should also read this post to know more about fitness bootcamps – What Is A Fitness Bootcamp?
I agree that there are similiarities between bootcamps but I would hope the manner in which the “orders” are delivered varies between the two. I have enough problems getting motivated I certainly don’t want someone yelling at me, would you? I think it would be cool to have some sort of motivational saying said multiple times through out the work out at a group training to help cohesiveness and keep up the motivation of the group. What do you think would be some great chants?
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It is really good that we should differentiate the two because there could be a lot of prospective participants who can really be intimidated thinking that a fitness bootcamp is a regimented type of program.