Want a way to get fit and have fun underneath the SoCal sun? Boot camp may be the answer.

You may not know it, but from July 5-9 the largest international convention for fitness professionals landed at the San Diego Convention Center. Those of you who live or ventured downtown that weekend may have noticed an odd influx of spandex-wearing, gym-bag toting personal trainers, yoga and Pilates instructors, and myriad other fitness professionals from all over the world as they took to the streets during breaks from sessions. Yours truly had the honor of leading two boot camp classes (the thought of this is enough to make anyone get queasy, but fitness professionals live for this kind of thing) for fellow colleagues, who came to gain tips and techniques to enhance their own programs back home. The first class took place among the planes and other military memorabilia atop the USS Midway, while the second challenged participants both in and out of the water in beautiful, scenic La Jolla Shores. This was a truly memorable experience for me, and with sell-out crowds I was faced with firsthand evidence of the growing popularity of outdoor boot camp programs. For those of you who remain hesitant to try them out, you might want to think twice. It could be a great, safe way to get in shape – and stay that way.

Traditionally, a boot camp was a fitness program designed to improve fitness levels of military recruits. Typically, it was a very demanding workout led by no nonsense drill instructors whose goal was to not only force others to drop and give 20, but also to berate and belittle participants. As the fitness industry caught wind of the effectiveness of these programs, many professionals created their own versions of boot camp, and now weekend warriors, newbie exercisers and elite athletes flock to them in droves for a challenging workout. According to the 2006 IDEA Health and Fitness Association’s Fitness Programs and Equipment Survey (July 2007 IDEA Fitness Manager), the popularity of outdoor boot camps are not just anecdotal. The survey, whose respondents include fitness managers and program directors, found a marked increase in the number of outdoor fitness programs in existence today. Thirty percent of those respondents claim to offer such programs, and 46 percent estimate continued growth. These numbers have experienced tremendous growth in recent years and are very promising, considering that boot camps are relatively new to the fitness industry.

With a significant increase in the number of people seeking out fitness for a variety of reasons (especially here in Southern California), many would-be fitness seekers are often intimidated by the traditional fitness setting. For Rafael Lopez, the gym meant coming face to face with significant self-esteem issues and lack of education. “When I first started exercising, I avoided gyms because I was unfamiliar with the equipment and I thought people would judge me for that,” he recalls. “I was also self conscious about my body and wasn’t comfortable exercising next to people with better physiques.” Although Lopez didn’t opt for a boot camp-type program, he did take his workouts outdoors and has stuck with it. “I prefer outdoors as opposed to a gym because of all the physical and mental benefits that can come from regular exposure to the sun,” he says.

Another reason these classes have become desirable is because many of them are all-inclusive, which means that just about any exerciser of any fitness level is welcome to join the hot, sweaty fun. Take a trip down the south side of the 5 freeway by Mission Bay Park at just about any time of day, and you’ll see all kinds of people engaging in some sort of organized fitness activity. But you won’t only see die hard fitness fanatics with bulging muscles hopping, crawling and lunging across the grass. Take a closer look and you’ll find the new mom looking to shed baby fat, the former – and now overweight –high school football star searching for his glory days, and the 60-year-old grandmother who could probably put Schwarzenegger down in an arm-wrestling match. The group dynamic also builds camaraderie and a built-in support system to help prevent participants from slipping up. If you take the class with friends, you’re less likely to skip for fear of derision next time your group gets together. Also, exercising in a social manner reduces perceived levels of effort, as you have compadres cheering and helping you through the workout. This means greater success without the feeling that you’ve just completed the Kona Iron Man.

As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, the more variety you include in your workout, the more well-rounded you will be (and well-ripped!). Sticking to the same type of workout over and over again (like treadmill running or heavy weight lifting) may initiate overuse of certain muscle groups, which can increase injury potential. A combination of strength, cardiovascular and flexibility training can offer you a stronger, more overall fit body. Triathletes are considered to be some of the fittest people on the planet (and their bodies aren’t half bad either!) because they focus on more than one type of training. With boot camps, you can expect a highly varied program that integrates multiple methodologies which will help you excel faster, reduce injury and get a tighter and more fit-looking body.

Boot camps are as varied as the flavors at Baskin Robbins, which means that there is probably a class for just about everyone. From mom and baby to men-only, each group offers a challenge that can be tailored to fit your needs. Often, instructors will offer a free introductory class, so that you can get an idea of the program (be wary of those who don’t) before you commit to a package of sessions. This is also a great opportunity to determine if your personality meshes with the instructor’s. A good boot camp will consist of a warm up and short discussion about what’s expected; the “meat and potatoes,” which should include a variety of cardiovascular, strength, power, balance, stability and flexibility training; and some sort of cool down. Boot camps are designed to challenge and help push you past limits you may have placed on yourself, but a good instructor will also know how to progress or regress a workout depending upon fitness levels. It is suggested that, before the first class, you set up a dialogue (show up early to the first class or contact via phone or e-mail) with the instructor to inform him of your exercise history and fitness goals. This is also a great time to let him know of any injuries or health considerations. That way he can keep an eye on you and make appropriate modifications that will keep you safe and having fun.