Boot camp is an increasingly popular choice of fitness program that helps you lose weight, increase endurance and achieve a sculpted physique all through laborious physical activities. There is actually a very good reason behind this shift of interest from traditional fitness routines like running, swimming or jogging to boot camps. The final result of a boot camp is much better than that of running for the same period of time because of the following reasons.
More effective fat burning
Running helps burn fat– this is an undisputable fact. But boot camps are more effective in giving your metabolism the needed push that lasts up to 8 hours from your workout. Hence, even after the workout you burn fats while doing absolutely nothing. Participants have often said that boot camps have lowered their body fat to a percentage that running had never managed to achieve previously. The metabolism boost given by boot camp exercise routines is effective throughout the body and integrates a greater number of muscle fibers than running.
A better cardio workout
In boot camps, participants are required to practice cardio workouts that provide intense aerobic conditioning. It is usually done in three phases, typically with no rest in between. In first phase, calisthenics are practiced; jumping jacks, push-ups, body squats and leg raises are a part of this routine. In the second phase, increasing intensity, push-ups with claps and walking dumbbell lunges are some common exercises. In the third phase, jump squats and the plank exercises are performed.
Although running is a cardio exercise, the effects are less extensive. Running is a low intensity cardio; it can burn fats at a low rate, but never carbs. While running, your heart only needs to pump blood to the legs, but during the intensive workouts, it must supply blood rapidly all over the body, thereby increasing its efficiency.
Increase of agility, coordination and strength
Running is good for building cardio strength, burning fats but boot camp exercises, apart from these benefits, also challenge the body through more dynamic activities to increase agility and coordination. While running, you can afford to move at your own pace but the exercises at boot camp require you to perfectly time your steps and movements. Even those, who have been running for long, find themselves all over the place at boot camps, not because of their lack of endurance, but because of lack of alertness.
More practical
Although, boot camps and running are mostly undertaken to lose weight or get in good shape, an advantage of the former over running is its protective element. Being traditionally followed by military and Marine Corps, boot camp routines definitely increase your ability to defend yourself. This is beneficial in injecting confidence in yourself that will help you keep calm and take charge if situation calls for it.
Apart from that, running long miles are boring, if not a strain on your joints. Boot camp exercises are so dynamic that your mind is too engaged in the next step, the next move to give rise to any monotony. Personal trainers help you alter the order of workouts, train with partners and effectively achieve desired results in a short period of time.