Top 5 Boot Camp Workout Design Mistakes – Part 1

January 7, 2011 Rick Kaselj Fitness, General

Today I have a guest blog post from Caroline Fitzgerald of Best Boot Camp Workout.

I know you’ve been reading about all the boot camp stuff on the blog.

In 2011, boot camps will be a huge trend.

Over the last few days, we have discussed the trend of boot camps, succeeding with boot camps, and avoiding mistakes with boot camps.

Today I wanted to talk about boot camp workouts, which is why I have Caroline.

Caroline runs boot camps, and her participants love her boot camp workouts. They encouraged her to share them with other boot camp instructors. She does this with her Best Boot Camp Workouts program.

Now to Caroline – take it away.

Top 5 Boot Camp Workout Design Mistakes

Avoiding mistakes in boot camp workout design has much to do with how you define “boot camp.”
When boot camps first hit the fitness industry, their success had a lot to do with one word:
Different:
  • from the gym.
  • From the regular workout. Taken a step further. Different exercises all the time.
  • Exercises all the time.
  • Equipment than the gym. Different locations.
Here are the top 5 mistakes from a “same as” mentality. Avoid them if you want to be a successful boot camp instructor.

#5 – Circuit Training Done Outside

If we’re being honest about things, most boot camps just glorified circuit training. Sometimes they’re just plain old circuit training, and nothing is blessed. Can you say boring?

#4 – Rep-Based Workouts

Rep-based workouts are a surefire way to restrict yourself to potential clients. Rep-based workouts are just like indoor fitness classes. You’ve got to “keep up or get out.” There is a built-in intimidation factor: if a client thinks they can’t do it or can’t keep up, they aren’t going to sign up for class. If you get them there once, but they can’t keep up and feel they have failed, they sure aren’t going to come back!
Some believe rep-based workouts build camaraderie when the stronger clients finish, cheer on the less intense clients as they finish, or even jump in with them and pound out a few more reps together. I’m sorry, but that is just about the fastest way to tick off everyone in your class! The less fit will feel like they’re holding everyone up and then having it shoved in their faces that they’re not as fast and strong when the more fit campers jump in to help them finish their rep. And the more fit will start to resent the fewer healthy campers because they want to move on with the workout. Interval-based workouts and formats that don’t emphasize set completion are a far better way to build camaraderie. They are fun, everyone plays at their level, and everyone is happy with their performance.

We are now moving on to #3.

Hold it, Caroline!

I am going to get Caroline to stop right here.

She will be back tomorrow for the top 3 Boot Camp Workout Design Mistakes, so we will see you back at the blog tomorrow.

If you want, you can check out the video Caroline has for boot camp instructors:

Rick Kaselj, MS

If you are looking for other posts on boot camp stuff, you can check these out:

Stretching for Healthy Blood Sugar

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