| Boot camps, as a form of outdoor fitness, are | | | | long-term motivation required for any type of |
| catching on fast amongst the health-conscious | | | | exercise routine. Usually, retired navy or army |
| these days. Increasing numbers of people are | | | | personnel run these fitness boot camps, using |
| opting for working out in an outdoor fitness | | | | their military experience to design the routines. |
| b-camp, rather than exercising indoors at home or | | | | Some of these b-camps are specially designed for |
| at the gym. | | | | specific groups of people such as older people, |
| Boot camps offer exercises that are | | | | women, and children of various age groups. |
| power-packed and challenging, which last about an | | | | Classes begin with warm-up exercises like |
| hour each session. One of the reasons for the | | | | stretching, limbering, on-the-spot jogging, or a |
| increasing popularity of these exercise boot | | | | slow run around a track, to get the blood |
| camps is getting a full body workout within a | | | | circulation going. After the warm-ups, more |
| relatively short period of time per session. Classes | | | | intensive exercises like rigorous running, body |
| are held about 3 to 4 days a week, usually on | | | | strengthening exercises like sit-ups, push-ups, |
| alternate days. The classes are designed to | | | | jumping jacks, squats, bear crawling, which is |
| provide a demanding workout that strengthens | | | | moving on hands and feet, high-intensity |
| the upper and the lower body, cardiovascular | | | | on-the-spot jogging, and so on are attempted. |
| fitness, and core body functions. | | | | Generally people exercise in groups, under the |
| Although they are based on boot camps that are | | | | guidance of an instructor and sometimes |
| conducted in the military, these outdoor fitness | | | | alternating sets of exercises amongst themselves |
| b-camps are not about enforcing discipline, using | | | | as a respite against monotony. The exercises |
| the usual stringent methods applied in military | | | | increase in intensity and difficulty levels as the |
| b-camps, or prison b-camps. Rather, they are | | | | class progresses. Regardless of what kind of |
| designed to instill a healthy regimen that has the | | | | shape they may be in when they begin, usually, |
| potential of lasting a life time. This does not mean | | | | as the course progresses, people begin |
| that fitness b-camps are not as demanding | | | | experiencing weight loss, they find themselves |
| physically as military b-camps. They use similar | | | | feeling fitter, stronger and healthier, and there is a |
| techniques of training, utilizing similar equipment, | | | | reduction in the body fat ratio. |
| designed to improve stamina, strength, and overall | | | | But these boot camps are not only about |
| conditioning of the body. | | | | reducing weight and increasing fitness. They are |
| Fitness boot camps are usually located away | | | | also designed to improve vitality and enhance self |
| from crowded places, like within or near wooded | | | | confidence. Activities like hiking and trekking over |
| areas, on beaches or in parks. This is because | | | | tough terrain, rock-climbing, and rafting in rough |
| research has proven that exercising outdoors can | | | | waters are organized regularly which encourage |
| provide additional benefits, such as enhancing the | | | | people to push themselves to the limits of their |
| mood, which is important for maintaining the | | | | physical capabilities. |