New To Fitness Boot Camp?
Are you new to fitness boot camp? These workouts are demanding. We don’t want you to get discouraged. Here’s some advice that should help.
Get Your Mind Ready
As we like to say, these boot camp classes will kick your ass. You don’t pay for an easy workout. These sessions will be rigorous both physically and mentally. Chances are you haven’t pushed yourself this hard in a long time, maybe never. Your brain is going to try and talk you out of it. Just be prepared for the mental battle. You can win it!
Be Smart, Start Slowly
For the first two weeks, work within yourself. Don’t push too hard. Work at a moderately comfortable pace. It’s ok to go easy and or stop during any exercise as needed. Gradually increase volume and intensity as your body adapts to the stress of exercise.
Listen To Your Body
Listening to your body is critical. You have to learn to interpret the pain signals. Without a doubt you are going to be sore the day after boot camp. That kind of pain is ok. If you experience sharp pain, then stop and let the boot camp instructor know. There is nothing to be gained from injuring yourself. It’s one thing when your body (or brain) is telling you it doesn’t want to do any more bear crawls, you can push through that, but when the message is coming from your lower back or a particular joint, then you probably want to pay attention.
Talk To The Instructor
Our boot camp instructors are certified personal trainers. They know how to train people. Even within the group setting it is possible to scale the exercises to an individual’s ability. Not every exercise that we do in boot camp class will work for every person. our job as the instructor is to modify the exercises to work for you. For instance: Just because you can’t run, doesn’t mean you can’t do boot camp class. We have several ways to help you achieve a similar result. If you are having particular difficulty with an exercise, get the instructor’s attention and tell them what is happening. They are there to help.
(Be warned. Telling Rob you don’t like bear crawls will not get you any mercy.)
There may be times when you have to stop or rest.
Be Patient But Be Persistent
Being patient with yourself is extremely important. Don’t compare yourself to others in the class unless you are competitive. Keep in mind that your most important competition is with yourself. There are exercises where we monitor performance. Our only concern is that you strive, over time, to improve your own personal performance, not that you are first in the class. Everyone has to start somewhere and change takes time. It took awhile to get your self out of shape, and it may take awhile to get back in to shape. You will get stronger. Your endurance will increase.
Having a positive attitude will make it easier to reach your fitness goals. (Easier NOT easy.)
Give it time
Fitness boot camp is a great way to get in shape but it is not magic. As with any fitness endeavor, you need to take the long term view.
Commit to the Program and then Show Up
Showing up is half the battle. It may take you as much effort to get to class as it does to do the workout. Consistency is one of the most important requirements of any exercise program. Nothing will work without it. Commit to yourself that nothing is going to get in your way. You might consider recruiting one of your fellow boot campers to help with your accountability. A little extra motivation will help.
If you’re new to fitness boot camp, this advice should be helpful. Give it your best effort. You’re worth it! And feel free to share any suggestions you have as well.
Tags: boot, bootcamp, class, exercise, fitness boot camp
