The Pro’s and Con’s of Bootcamps
-
This blog post is hopefully going to be a neutral and non-judgemental look at Bootcamps.
A couple of times a week I walk past a local, popular bootcamp near to where I live and followed it up one time recently with some pretty negative comments on my Facebook and Twitter page.
This blog will show both the pro’s and con’s of bootcamps.
In a later post I’ll give you my opinion, UNEDITED!
But for now, here’s the list:
Pro’s
- Bootcamps can provide an awesome atmosphere and community that is not something you can always get from training on your own in the gym. Training with other people can provide camaraderie and make for a terrific support network.
- Adherence to a programme is often a lot better in the group training environment because people often enjoy the competition of keeping up with the group.
- It can be more cost-effective as the cost is shared between the whole group.
- Usually in a group there are a couple of experienced regulars who are familiar with the techniques the trainer uses. These vets are often happy to share their experience and help out new people. However this can be a Con because obviously that other member is not a qualified expert in what they are teaching.
Con’s
- In a group there is going to be less one-on-one attention. If there’s only one trainer and fifteen participants in the class then the trainer’s attention will obviously be limited. A good instructor should be able to run an efficient class with quite a few members, though.
- It can be hard to separate fitness levels in a group fitness class. You have beginner exercisers and advanced athletes lining up together for the same workout.
- The more advanced members of the class can sometimes be held back by the people who are not at the same level as them. For example, if you’re the fastest person in your class, it is important to be moving at your fastest and not just slightly faster than number two.
- The class has to be scheduled so that the most people can attend, not just you. So if you have an unusual schedule it can be hard to consistently find a group. In this way one-on-one training definitely has the advantage as you just have to schedule directly with your trainer.
- Bootcamps offer generic workouts that are suitable for only a handful of people. The stretches might not be right for you, if they offer and stretches at all, and the exercises can cause and exacerbate injuries because they are not properly periodised for the individual.
- Most bootcamps offer no assessment, so to go with the above point, the workout is then very random and not specific for the individual.
Leave a Reply
One Response and Counting...
[...] my last post I discussed the Pro’s and Con’s of Bootcamp Fitness Classes, and I tried to be as neutral as I could in my write-up of the points – however, if you know [...]