What you need to know about Brandon Boot Camps before you do something you may regret.
Everywhere you look, boot camp programs are starting. They’re popping up in parks, YMCA’s and every gym. They all promise to get great results. Like anything else, there’s a wide range in the safety, quality and results form these programs.
Running a safe and results driven boot camp program requires a certain set of skills and knowledge. Without some framework to assist your decision, choosing a Brandon boot camp is really a “buyer beware” situation.
Here are some guideline to help you find a safe and effective program.
1) What Are The Coaches Qualifications?
Your coach must be certified by a nationally recognized organization such as the National Strength and Conditioning Association or the National Academy of Sports Medicine. The fitness industry has dozens of “pay for certification” organizations. People can get certified through these organizations with little or no knowledge about proper training. This plays a big role in getting people hurt.
2) Are the Instructors Fit?
Your instructor should look the part. A trainer who takes fitness seriously will be fit. They will be up to date on the best training principles. Besides, why would you take advice from someone who is less fit then you are?
3) How Well Do The Coaches Adapt to Your Abilities?
The instructor should be expert with proper exercise progressions. Each movement has progressions and regressions based on your current fitness level. Beginners and de-conditioned people should not be asked to perform at the same level as more experienced or more fit people. Your trainer should be able to modify any movement to suit your particular situation. If not, leave immediately!
4) Does The Program Offer Any Individual Time?
Your coach must be available 10-15 minutes before and after the session to address any individual issues. A good trainer can effectively train the entire group together and still provide the personal touch. But he or she must still be willing to individually discuss your training issues or other important issues such as nutrition and recovery.
5) How Does The Program Introduce External Loading?
As part of proper exercise progression, your program must emphasize moving and controlling your body weight before introducing external resistance. Movements such as squats, push-ups and lunges have proper fundamentals that you should master. A red flag should be raised if you are asked to add resistance to a movement you have not yet mastered with only your body weight. If your coach fails to do this, it’s only a matter of time before you become injured!
6) Are You Paying For Time Or Results?
The training system should emphasize body weight circuit training and cardio interval training. High Intensity Interval Training has been scientifically proven to burn up to 9 times more fat than traditional aerobic training. The goal of 90% of fitness enthusiasts is fat loss so both the resistance training and cardio training systems should incorporate intervals.
Also most people seek the lean athletic look featured on many fitness magazine covers. This look is most efficiently achieved using 2-5 body weight resistance movements organized in the proper pre-programmed work to rest periods.
Finally a mark of of a truly skilled trainer is the ability to intensify movements without the need for extra resistance.
7) Does The Program Provide Nutrition Information?
Your program must include nutritional information. Proper nutrition will account for 75-80% of your results. Without it, your program is incomplete and your money wasted. Let me be frank. People are too busy, too lazy and overwhelmed by the vast amount of diet and nutrition information available. What you need is a clearly laid out nutrition program. Your program should offer a Quick Start Guide that you can easily follow to eat in support of your fat loss goals.
What Additional Resources Are Available To You?
The program should make effective use of the internet. A website is the minimum requirement. You should also look for a Web 2.0 Social Network. Social support is a huge factor in reaching your goals. Just look at the success of programs like Weight Watchers. They emphasize the social support aspect. Your boot camp program should offer the same type of support.
Look for a social network that offers member profiles, blogging and forums where you can interact with clients and trainers. Finally many of these networks are available FREE so your coach has no excuse to not set this up for boot camp clients.
9) What Is their Guarantee?
The program must offer a FREE trial and/or a Satisfaction Guarantee. Honestly, if they are confident about the program, why wouldn’t they let you try it before spending your hard earned money. There should be no risk at all to you.
A results based program will minimize the barriers of entry for you because they know that once you experience the benefits of the program, you will surely buy and stay with it!
