Thursday, July 17, 2008

Boot Camp

I know at least a dozen people who have signed up for Boot Camp this summer. Doesn't that go against why we live in this peace loving nation to begin with...to avoid conscription?

I just don't get the whole G.I. Jane thing. Perhaps it's just my past life as a tree sloth talking.

I know I'll never voluntarily sign up for anything that involves paying to exercise until you throw up. It's like the Spinning phenomenon of a couple of years ago. You pay to participate in a class where you sit and spin on a bicycle that's bolted to the floor while a chiseled and hard-bodied sociopath shouts abuse at you.

If it was up to me, I'd yell right back. Something like: "Ya, well, I've read more books than you!" That'd be mature.

12 comments:

Hez said...

Obviously you've never experienced the bootcamp or spinning classes that I go to. Not only does our instructor NOT yell obscenities at us (she's quite sweet), none of us have ever thrown up either! Of course, she does push us to our limit... but what's the point of working out if you do it half-assed, right?

Honestly, bootcamp is just a "Toronto" name for a group of people getting together to work out with a trainer. And the high I get after working out is incredible! It's probably equivalent to your morning walks. :)

I guess all I'm sayin' is don't diss the bootcamp and spinning until you try it... It makes me feel FAN-FRIGGIN-TASTIC! :)

©km said...

I don't think the "read more books" thing would have worked on my bootcamp instructor. Well, not in an "intimidation", "give me 20 more" kinda way. I think she could have matched you.
But then again, she was an artsy theatre type who owns her own production company. Not a typical boot-camp peep.
I will join you for Bollywood dancing boot camp, if you can find one.

Extreme Boot Camp said...

There certainly are many different types of fitness boot camps out there - our Extreme Boot Camp program being a 6week military-style outdoor workout. The authentic military style (using a team of military personnel as well as certified personal trainers) provides structure, strictness, and accountability. At the same time, our Instructors have the knowledge and experience to provide individualized personal attention within the group setting. All together, the purpose of the program is to help all fitness levels reach their goals whether it be Maximum Weight Loss, Toning, Cardiovascular Health, or just to have some time to themselves out of the house. And that means we push our clients to their individual limits and hold them accountable for their nutrition habits by checking daily all for their benefit. There is nothing comparable to sitting down with our Boot Campers at the end of a session and hearing their success stories and really seeing how emotional and life-changing this kind of intense program can be. So, whether boot camps seem like a fad or not, we here at Extreme Boot Camp love what we do and aim to bring our services to communities nationwide - because everyone deserves to feel fit, healthy, and good about themselves!

©km said...

Oh, that last comment was so funny.
Especially considering the blog posts I wrote after my first couple Boot Camp sessions - where it seriously felt like no one gave a damn about me - just my money.

Blodwynn said...

wow.

Unless you plan on booting your camp for the rest of your life, how about a regular regime of healthy eating and moderate exercise?

Calories in...Calories out.

Wax on...wax off.

Anonymous said...

I wonder where Hez spins? I am looking for an obscenity-free spinning class?

Hez said...

I sometimes spin at the Bloor Park Club (Goodlife)at Yonge and Bloor (other times I go in the burbs). But I don't go to the RPM classes, I go to the classes called All Terrain. Monday nights at 6:30 at Bloor Park are with Mandy - very awesome instructor!

©km said...

barb - that's how I felt after the first few sessions. I was paying someone to lead me and a group of strangers around a playground, doing exercises I already knew, and not being shown exercises modified for my injuries. I really wasn't getting any motivation I didn't already have within myself. I would have quit if I hadn't already paid all the money. Now I just go to the same playground once a week, do the workout on my own and watch the other people on the other side, sweating and grunting at $25/session.
I wonder how long before this fad wears through the city and people just meet up in parks to work out for free.

Blodwynn said...

©k,

I totally agree.
I started my regular exercise routine by hiring a personal trainer to teach me how to do things properly. I specifically asked for instruction on free weights so I could exercise anywhere, anytime with anything available to me. It was the best $900 I spent as I've also purchased books for reference and now workout regularly with the knowledge of doing things properly. I also run 30 mins for 5 days a week (most times).

I feel motivation and will power are the biggest obstacles. But I also think people put too much weight into it (pun intended) and then it seems like this big gorilla.
My opinion is just find 30 mins to do ANYTHING other than sit or stand and the rest will happen.

A great book I recently read was French Women Don't Get Fat. The author talks about how to live well, be active often and eat properly (oh yeah, and still drink wine). Simple and effective.

Okay, I'll get off the podium now. :)

Hez said...

barb - why the heck can't boot camp be a PART of your healthy lifestyle? Who says going outside to exercise with a group of people in the summer to enjoy the weather and the company of others is not part of a healthy lifestyle/fitness regime?

I'm doing boot camp because my body needs a rest from running for a bit. And I don't like the humidity for running in. So I'm changing it up by working out with some co-workers and a personal trainer under the name of "boot camp".

You say:
"My opinion is just find 30 mins to do ANYTHING other than sit or stand and the rest will happen."

So - that's what I'm doing. Outside. In the summer. With the expertise of a personal trainer.

And it didn't cost me $900.

Anonymous said...

FrannyGlass is on a such high-horse that no one may reach her at this point. She also has oodles of time to sit & explore the idea of Boot Camp (pros & cons), forming a solid oppinion/outlook on the matter, without even trying it first. And as far as "going against why we live in this peace loving nation", we are currently at war (against terror I might add) lol. Are you going to preach something like "You can't hug your children with nuclear arms" next? Huh, fat ass? Stop watching military movies, and speculating. The only thing you are "well read" on, is internet blogs & message boards. So when an instuctor does "yell at you", you can just yell back "Yeah, well I sit on the internet at work & when I come home cause I like to hide behind the computer where I can role play that I am a smart 'somebody'". Now THAT'd be mature, because then atleast you'd be stepping up to the plate, lol. You're like Al Bundy except instead of playing highschool football, you did well in a couple of community college english classes. Hey, maybe you could yell that at an instructor "I did well in a couple of community college english classes." lol

Anonymous said...

franny glass, barb and ©k. should meet alone in a park, IRL. Or they could just create an 'alone in the park' chat room ha ha.