Bring Your Own Boot Camp

Boot Camp programs are popular this time of year as a means to prepare for the very dreaded BATHING SUIT SEASON. Sure, it’s great if you can convince yourself that this is the Summer you’re not going to allow a few rolls and dimples to ruin your day at the beach. But let’s face it – unless you gave it your best shot before pouring yourself into Spandex (a material obviously woven by Satan’s handmaidens), you’re not going to fully enjoy the warmth of the sun on your Back of Many Creases.

It’s not necessary, however, to hand your money over to some Red Bull fuelled freak of nature who reapplies lip gloss between barking out orders to squat, sprint and clench. Instead, create your own fitness boot camp this Spring with a group of like-minded, masochistic friends. You’ll save money, remain on task and have a lot more laughs.

The key to success behind a boot camp program is that there’s a group of people holding you accountable to show, and someone else is in charge of how hard you work (because, you know you can’t be trusted to that yourself). So organize a group of friends – maybe couples – and commit to meeting a couple times a week to shape up.

Take turns running the show. The person (or couple) in charge of the day’s activities can choose the location and lead the session. A playground, for instance, offers a lot of options for a challenging obstacle course. And don’t worry if you feel ill-equipped to devise an exercise routine, Health and Fitness magazines are bursting at the seams with do-it-yourself circuit training routines this time of year. Just be sure to follow all recommended precautions regarding alignment (such as not allowing your knees to go over 90 degrees while performing lunges or squats).

Be creative, make your friends sweat and have one less roll-induced tan line this Summer!

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About Jamie Schaab

Jamie is thrilled to join the Fitness Goop community and brings to the online expert forum a pairing of industry experience in fitness and journalism. Having published numerous health and wellness articles for both newspapers and magazines, Jamie most recently held post as the editor of a community newspaper in B.C.’s Interior while living her passion as a yoga instructor prior to relocating to the Lower Mainland last year – just in time to witness Vancouver’s magnificent Fall colours!
Having become a certified personal fitness trainer in 2005, Jamie trained clients in their homes and in a gym environment before discovering the countless benefits and endless self-discoveries derived from a regular yoga practice. She then decided that in addition to instructing group yoga classes for the public, she would tailor yoga sessions to meet the needs specific to her clients and make that instruction accessible to them at home and work. Jamie received her Yoga Teacher Certification from the Vancouver School of Bodywork & Massage in 2008 under instructor Dan Clement. She now operates Marga Yoga & Fitness Coaching – delivering private and corporate instruction throughout the Lower Mainland. Jamie incorporates several styles of yoga in her personal practice and teachings, namely Anusara, Power, Vinyasa Flow and Yin.

  • http://www.loewenbehold.ca/uptownsmalltown Sarah Loewen

    I love that you are providing an outdoor, cost-free exercise option that promotes accountability by working out with friends. I think we need more of these!