“Boot Camp” is often related to the military. While Bootcamp style workout is by no means military, there are elements of army training with the use of calisthenics workouts (like push-ups, squat thrusts, punches, kicks, etc.). It is a back to basics approach, with focus on functional training. And most importantly, the dynamic team-oriented atmosphere (We will survive together!) make bootcamps more motivating than your regular gym environment.
While Bootcamp workouts may seem simple and not tied to a particular piece of equipment, a study by American Council on Exercise (1) showed that a regular exerciser can burn about 400 calories in a 40 minute workout. That equates to a whopping 600 calories in an hour! This is due to the cyclical nature of bootcamp workouts, which intersperse high intensity exercises with low intensity exercises, which aids not only in cardiorespiratory function but also muscle strength. An increase in muscle mass actually helps you burn more calories even when you are at rest.
An excerpt from John Porcari, Ph.D University of Wisconsin, La Crosse Exercise and Health Program, the lead researcher in the study, “Boot camp is an excellent way to enhance aerobic capacity and help control body weight. “I think it’s a great workout with great variety,” says Porcari “It’s a good combination of aerobic exercise and muscle conditioning and it’s much more of a total-body workout than just going out for a run or bicycle ride.”
Bootcamp = Fun + Variety + Lose Bodyfat + Gain Aerobic Capacity + Gain Muscle!
So, if you are looking for a workout that you are more likely to stick to just because it is so much fun, Bootcamps are for you!
(1) http://www.acefitness.org/getfit/study-bootcamp/default.aspx