How Boot Camp Workouts Work: Pros, Cons, DIY

Published: December 5, 2022

The world of fitness is a rich one. There are new workouts being thrown your way, making it easy for you to pick out a workout that works best for your needs. And with the chance to decide whether you want to work out by yourself or with a fine personal coach Dubai residents love, it really does seem like you have every reason to dedicate yourself to physical health and wellness. That being said, many people who decide to embark on this journey happen to go for boot camp workouts.

In our opinion, these workouts are an excellent way to reach that level of physical fitness that you have been striving for. They are among the best fat burning workouts that are known for their ability to help you fit into your favorite pair of jeans. However, as with all things in life, these workouts also come with their fair share of disadvantages. Thus, stick with us until the end and watch us deliver the pros and cons associated with boot camp classes, as well as some DIY options to explore.

Boot camp workouts – how do they work?

Have you ever done a circuit training workout? If you understand the basics of CrossFit, Tabata, or a HIIT workout, then you will have no problems understanding what a boot camp workout entails. These workouts focus on the best bodyweight exercises, such as burpees and push-ups. You have to move quickly from one exercise to the other, which is what keeps your heart rate elevated. And when your heart rate is elevated for a long period of time, you will be able to burn a lot of calories.

Of course, there’s a difference between boot camp workouts and the other forms of circuit training. While you might have a trainer guiding you through circuit training and showing you the best abs workout exercises, what you have during a boot camp workout is a leader. That leader is the one calling all the shots, which is why boot camp sessions have a military-like atmosphere.

That being said, we have to state two things – a boot camp workout is extremely useful in burning off calories and fat, but it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Let us walk you through all the pros and cons of this type of workout, helping you make the best decision for yourself.

Pros of boot camp workouts

Naturally, this form of exercising comes with plenty of advantages for the one partaking in it. We won’t claim that the benefits of this program outweigh the negative sides, as we’ll let you be the judge of that. But we do think that you should seriously consider at least trying out a boot camp class and seeing how you will feel.

You can boost your fitness rather quickly

Boot camp exercises are usually not for the faint of heart. They mostly rely on cardio exercises, which is why they will burn off those extra calories at an impressive rate. They will also do wonders for one’s cardiovascular health and general well-being. Therefore, if your goal is to get into shape quickly, a boot camp class might be the right step in your journey.

It’s cheaper than having a personal trainer

While the job of a personal trainer exists for a reason, as it helps people reach their fitness goals more quickly, especially when you couple them with the best Dubai meal plans, we understand that not everyone will have enough money to fund personal workout sessions. This doesn’t mean that you have to give up on being fit and healthy – it just means that you have to find a cheaper alternative. Since workout classes are done in smaller or bigger groups, they represent a more affordable option for achieving the level of fitness you strive for. It’s certainly better to partake in any type of physical activity than sit around and wait while your health starts to decline.

Great way to shake things up

Have you been doing the same type of workout for many months or even years? If you have, then you might be bored by doing the same old thing over and over again. While lifting weights in the gym with a personal trainer for muscle building is great, everyone needs to shake things up from time to time – and this is where boot camp workouts enter the scene. They are sure to shake things up and provide you with some innovation in your regular fitness routine. Keep in mind that you don’t have to stop doing your favorite exercises just because of attending boot camp classes. You can add a few weekly or monthly classes into the mix and still remain regular in your gym.

Boot camp classes will motivate you

Have you ever attended group classes? Then you know how much it differs from doing a home workout or exercising with your trainer. Group classes are unique simply because you will be surrounded by many different people. Usually, those people will serve as a great motivation for you to keep up and push through the most difficult moments. Besides, the people you meet there might turn out to become much more than just your workout buddies – they could end up being your lifelong friends. So if you are in need of some motivation to push through your workouts, this is where you can find it.

The cons of boot camp workouts

Of course, not everyone will be as fascinated with these workouts as we are. We understand that they might be too much for some people, as they can be a little too intense. That’s why we’ve taken it upon ourselves to list some of the biggest drawbacks that people usually associate with this form of exercise.

Boot camp classes might not be beginner friendly

If this isn’t your first rodeo and you’ve already worked with a strength or weight loss trainer, then you shouldn’t have any problems adjusting to a boot camp workout. Scratch that – it might be difficult at first, but you will probably get used to it after a while. However, if you are a complete beginner, then you might want to choose something else (like Pilates or low-intensity cardio) until you get the hang of it. Of course, nobody can stop you from trying out a boot camp class, no matter your fitness level. But you should approach it with caution and care for your health.

There is very little one-on-one instruction

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just beginners who need guidance while exercising. Everyone can benefit from having a professional by their side while they perform some challenging exercises. Of course, the ones who find that to be mandatory are beginners. Boot camp classes are made in such a way that there is very little one-on-one instruction, if any. After all, the leader of the class is in charge of overseeing the entire group, so they might not notice when you are doing something wrong. And that brings us to our next point of order.

There is the risk of injury

We are used to thinking of working out as something that’s going to do wonders for our health, and that’s usually the case. However, if not done properly, working out can bring more harm than good. That’s usually the case once a person tries working out without any guidance while being a beginner. You should know those workout injuries are very common in boot camp classes simply because people don’t have enough individual guidance. If you do decide to go to a boot camp class, we suggest you do so with a lot of caution. You want to listen to your body throughout the entire ordeal and stop if you feel any pain whatsoever.

Boot camp classes might not fit into your schedule

It can’t be denied that there are a lot of benefits to working out with a personal trainer. You get someone who will show you the best exercises for your unique goal, as well as help you create the best diet plan for muscle gain and fat loss. That being said, the biggest benefit of working out with a trainer could be the fact that he or she can fit into your schedule. The same cannot be said for boot camp classes. You will generally have to fit into the slot of these classes. Whether they will be early in the morning or late at night depends on the place. That’s why it’s important to check your availability and schedule before committing.

Is there a way to DIY boot camp workouts?

The answer is yes – and no. Allow us to explain. You can DIY a boot camp workout, as you can measure your own intervals. Likewise, the main boot camp exercises are fairly simple, and they include:

• Push-ups
• Squats
• Lunges
• Jumping jacks
• Crunches
• Burpees

As you can see, you can do all of these without any equipment. Likewise, you can do them no matter your location, which is another point in favor of the DIY style. But that’s where all the possibilities end and challenges begin. Usually, it’s important to have a trainer who has experience with this form of working out. He or she can achieve to create the best combination of exercises that affect the entire body. That’s how the attendees can manage to shed pounds and burn fat. Then again, what you lack in experience and knowledge is something you can make up for in craftiness. Usually, it’s enough to type in “boot camp workouts’ on YouTube, and you’ll get plenty of ideas.

However, we think there’s another thing you should keep in mind – the military atmosphere. When you are working out in a class, you are working with someone who is pushing you forward. The leader will be giving the attendees commands, which will motivate them to work harder. Likewise, all the other people in the group will serve the same purpose of giving you motivation. You have to admit that it could be hard to find suitable motivation when working out by yourself. If that’s the case, it’s always a good idea to find a friend who also wants to dedicate some time to fitness. One friend could be all you need to achieve amazing results.

Do the pros outweigh the cons?

We’ve already mentioned that we think highly of these classes. However, you are the only one who can make the final call. Most often, people will base their decision on their fitness level. If you are a complete beginner, then you could find another workout routine that could suit you better. Classes like pilates and yoga might be the most suitable option for those who are just embarking on their fitness journey. And if you are sure that you want to focus on this form of working out, you can do so after you get the hang of things.

On the other hand, if you already have some experience with working out, then you will love boot camp workouts. At least, that’s what we think. Of course, there’s always a chance that you might find these classes to be too intense for you. If that happens, you can always find some other form of exercise. With how many options you have out there, you shouldn’t have a problem finding something that would suit your fitness level, budget, and schedule 100%.