What To Expect From An Outdoor Class or Bootcamp

Posted 24 October 2023

Blog tags: Fitness

Spending time outdoors has many benefits for our physical and mental health, including reducing stress, improving mood, and boosting the immune system.

With so many people looking for ways to embrace this and incorporate more time in nature into their lives, you might be tempted to sign up for an outdoor bootcamp class. But what do bootcamp classes really entail, and are they right for you?

What Kind Of Workouts Are Bootcamp Classes?

As the name suggests, bootcamp classes originated as military-style workouts. But these days, bootcamps aren’t necessarily hardcore and certainly aren’t intimidating. In fact, there’s a bootcamp for everything now, from ‘bootcamp on the beach’ to ‘buggy bootcamps’ for new mums. Don’t let the bootcamp label fool you into thinking it’s going to be burpees in the mud!

What Can You Expect?

With so many bootcamp class styles available, it’s best to ask the instructor, bootcamp owner, or someone who already attends the class. But there are a few things you can expect from any bootcamp class.

Common Themes In Bootcamp Classes

Outdoors

Almost every bootcamp class is held outside, even when the weather turns bad - that’s part of the appeal. Most are held in local parks, playing fields or beaches to give participants the space they need, and to make the most of the natural terrain. You will find many of your local gyms may start facilitating outdoor-style classes even if they usually don’t. As a result, you could expect to be using hills, sand, benches and tree trunks as workout tools!

Intervals

Interval training is one of the best ways to get fit, burn calories, and blast body fat - fast. Bootcamp classes make good use of interval training, so expect to be running or sprinting (to your own ability level) and doing exercises like skipping, boxing, jumping, and plyometrics with rest periods.

Bodyweight Training

Bootcamp classes tend to be low on kit, so you’ll be using your own bodyweight as resistance. Expect to do exercises like bodyweight squats, walking lunges, press-ups, planks and sit-ups. You’ll always be given options to scale movements up or down and be encouraged to work at your own level (whilst getting better every week, of course!).

Resistance

Weight training is important if you want to tone up and lose fat. Even though you won’t be using gym machines or barbells, you should expect to do resistance training in a bootcamp class. Bodyweight exercises will be key, but you might also use resistance bands or light hand weights to add weight to the exercises.

Outdoors Is The New Indoors

You’ll find many of your regular indoor classes will be moving outside, including spinning, yoga or Pilates. This means if you are looking to go to a less intense class, these options will be available for you.

Whatever the Weather

Only the very worst weather will drive a bootcamp class inside! Remember to dress for the weather (layers which you can add or remove are a good idea) and to take water with you. Early morning bootcamps might mean thin gloves and a hat, at least until you’ve warmed up. It’s also a good idea to have an extra layer to put on after class. The instructor will usually provide a safe place for layers of clothing that you might remove after the warm-up, as well as your keys and phone.

So don’t be afraid of bootcamps. They’re fun, sociable, and a great way to keep fit.

If you are looking at being on the other end of the class and have thought about teaching your own bootcamp, you could find yourself setting up your own sessions after becoming a personal trainer with our courses from the Training Room!

Find out more about them on our website.