Boot Camps, they’re everywhere, often with a military theme.
Prior to becoming a PT I’d never been to one, I was a runner and all my
training time was spent running. A few of my running mates went to BMF and
seemed to enjoy it, but I was focused on running so I didn’t join them. As a
runner I did tend to concentrate on the running side of things, I tried
circuits, I tried drills, I never tried weights but I used other cardio
machines, mainly though I ran, I ran fast and I ran long, occasionally I also
ran slow. Things have changed and it’s probably my understanding of alternative
exercises that has helped me to adapt my training methodology, that and the
fact that I can’t do the mileage I used to do without breaking down. However I
still believe, as an endurance runner, your primary focus for training has to
be running.
During my PT training one of the modules was about creating
a boot camp. It was fairly common sense and all it really taught us was to use
your knowledge to be creative with your environment. I enjoyed the module,
particularly as it was run predominantly as a number of boot camp sessions,
both in and outside, and I passed the exam. I was now free to set myself onto
the exercising public.
But I waited, I was still working at the time, that coupled
with my own training and preparing for a move down to England meant I had no
time to put into the boot camp experience and anyway it would have been short
lived, with the move.
Once in Cheshire I tried initially to establish myself as a
gym based PT. Alongside that I established running group training, I figured
that any PT could do a boot camp and I needed time to find my own training
theme before I could hope to excel at that, but, although any PT could have an
understanding of running, I figured my understanding of how to develop running training
plus knowing what it took to improve from jogger to International standard
would set me aside. Then after a while I started to run a boot camp after my
Saturday morning run group.
As time went on and I became more established I decided it
was time to free up my weekends for family time and races and with the 1:1 PT
going well there was less time to do the boot camps. So I took a break from
running them.
Last year I was contacted by the Sandbach Round Table, to
organise a one off training session before they tackled the three peaks
challenge. They enjoyed it so much they asked if I could do it as a regular
boot camp. So all summer we did a once a week boot camp in the Sandbach area.
It worked well and you could see the group getting fitter but also exercising
better as I explained movements to them. Winter came and we couldn’t find a
suitable indoor venue so we let it drop and I used the time to increase my 1:1
PT. But this summer we’re back in Sandbach with a bigger and better boot camp
experience. The group comprises of both male and female members and we’ve
opened it up to non members of the Round Table at £5 for the hour long session.
With all the training I do for my own goals (twice a day
minimum) I’d always thought my own involvement at the boot camps should be one
of demonstration, observation and encouragement. However I think the group
wanted me to show them that I could do what I was asking them to do so we made
an agreement. If I didn’t break 17:15 for 5k at the BMAF champs then I would do
the next week’s boot camp alongside them. Now that may seem like a weak goal, considering
what times I’ve run in the past, but I’d been struggling to get under 17:30 all
year. As it turned out I ran 17:11 so I was saved! But come the next boot camp
I decided to join in anyway, and I enjoyed it so much I decided to join them
regular and count that as my second session of that day.
The benefits are clear, my involvement allows me to push the
group harder because I can feel their pain, I tell them if I’m finding an
exercise hard so they know I’m suffering like them but at the same time I’m
grunting encouragement. The other benefit, to me, is that I no longer have to
find the time for that second session of the day, plus I really enjoy the boot
camp, it gives me everything I need to help my running, strength, endurance,
core exercises and plyometric movements, and we have a laugh. So I’m going to
continue going and work to make them harder each week, why not come and join
us.
Written by Roger Alsop
www.rogeralsop.co.uk
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