Custom Fitness Concepts

Anytime there is a new fitness fad, anyone and everyone who wants to get in shape thinks they can do these new programs and get fit super fast. Activities such as Mixed Martial Arts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) are prime examples of this.

Don’t get me wrong; these are great programs and they can work, but for most people, this is not the best route to take if you’re looking to “get” fit. These are serious programs that require both technique and physical fitness to gain any benefits. It takes a lot of time (years in fact) to master these skills.

For those looking to get in shape in time for a wedding or other important event, these won’t do it for you. These kinds of exercise programs are definitely not for the weekend warrior; they are for those who are serious about the sport and being fit.

Safety considerations

If you venture into these without the techniques necessary to succeed, you run the risk of serious injury, in addition to wasting time doing moves that aren’t as easy or effective as they seem.  These types of activities are marketed as fun, easy ways to get in shape, and they can be if you know what you’re doing. If you don’t however, they turn into a frustrating waste of time that could lead you to hurting yourself.

Tips for getting started on the right track

Instead of jumping into extreme sports right away, especially if you are not ready, we recommend simply getting in shape first.  I’m not saying you should discount these programs if you’re really interested in them, but to start with a program such as Boot Camp, where you’ll have trainers who can tell you how to do the moves correctly; you’ll have a strong support network of people that want to see you succeed instead of videos and classes where the only goal is to take your money.

Again, these are good programs that can provide great benefits, but if you don’t have the technique or skill to master them, they will not work for you.  And if you’re not physically ready, you can do more harm than good.

The reality of getting and staying fit

Don’t waste time or money on classes, videos and exercise programs because they’re popular and everyone seems to be doing them. Don’t listen to “get fit quick” promises from people who either can’t or have no interest in whether you succeed.

Get involved with people and programs that will teach you the correct way to do things. This will help you avoid injury, frustration and wasted time. For best results, you need a support network, the right skills, and physical fitness before you take on complicated programs. Otherwise, you’re wasting time, money and energy you simply don’t have to.

If you look at commercials for the latest home DVD workout programs, many of them promise you can change your life and get fit in as little as 60-90 days. If you’ve ever been on a diet or exercise program, this seems impossible.

Or is it?

The truth is that you can get fit quickly, but it’s not as simple as making a few changes to your diet and adding some exercise in where it fits in your schedule. It requires some serious effort, and if you’re a novice when it comes to getting in shape, these types of programs may not work for you. You’ll also need to be serious about changing your diet, and with the severe exercise plan, this can mean a lot of extreme changes all at once.

How to decide if extreme training is right for YOU

Read on for the some pros and cons of programs such as P90X, Insanity or any hardcore boot camp program you may find at your gym.

Pros:

• They get you in shape super fast, and yes, in as little as a few months if you’re serious.
• They provide a regular routine.
• You can do some of these programs in the comfort of your own home by yourself if you’d like.
• Once you’ve purchased a DVD program, you own it and there are no ongoing fees, so if you give up, you can go back to it again and again.

Cons:

• These are not easy programs, especially for beginners.
• Without proper instruction, you run the risk of injury.
• You must be able to follow the instruction of a “virtual trainer” in most cases.
• They require more time than many people want to spend on exercise.
• You must be very dedicated and motivated to complete these types of programs.
• Most people who start these types of fitness programs do not finish them.

The bottom line

These programs can work well for those who are serious about fitness and have enough of a background to be able to do the exercises correctly on their own. If you are extremely overweight or new to exercise, you will find these programs, whether at home or at your gym, to be very overwhelming, and the honest truth is that you probably will not be able to complete them.

A better bet for those who are new to the world of exercise is to enlist in the help of a certified training professional, either with one on one training sessions or a boot camp program that will ease you in slowly. You might not get super fit as quickly as these other programs promise, but you are much more likely to stick with something successful in moderation than something as strenuous and challenging as extreme exercise.

It’s not by accident that “extreme sports” programs are all over TV these days.  After all, this is America and we want the best results and we want them fast.  This is why you see so many infomercials selling P90x, Insanity and other similar workouts that promise “extreme” results.

But before you jump into one of these extreme training programs, you should consider a few things, not the least of which is your personal safety and the sustainability of such programs.

Why do P90x and Insanity have so much appeal?

For starters, the people who make these programs have great marketing people which will always help create a buzz.  But more than that, on the surface they appear to be “different” or “unique” which appeals to people who are frustrated with their weight, fitness level or general lack of commitment to staying in shape.  Maybe these people have joined a gym and exercised a few times a week, but didn’t see the results quickly enough or got bored so gave up, only to come back and try again later.  Many people go through this same cycle over and over, leading to constant losing and gaining weight with no real satisfaction.

Fighting this problem of “exercise boredom” is critical for long term fitness, which is why it is one of the core elements of our fitness boot camp program.  But doing this safely and with supervision we believe is more important than doing it in “extreme” fashion.

A word of caution about “extreme” exercise

There are many exercise programs out there that promise to get you in tiptop shape in no time. Programs such as P90X and Insanity are intense programs that, if followed correctly, can in fact do exactly that.

The problem is that “followed correctly” clause in there. These programs can be extremely hard to follow for a number of reasons:

• First of all, they are extremely intense, which is why they work so quickly.
• If you are new to exercise or not so fit however, you can easily injure yourself if you don’t do the exercises properly.
• They also require a lot of exercise, over hour a day or more in some cases.
• If you don’t do any exercise and suddenly try to do over an hour of extremely intense physical activity, you’re going to burn out, get bored or hurt yourself, none of which leads to the desired result.

So how can you lose weight and get fit at a reasonable pace that won’t have you giving up so quickly?

Our solution – boot camp!

A boot camp program is the perfect answer to this. With boot camp, you work directly with trainers, so you know you’ll be doing the exercises correctly, avoiding injury. You’ll have the constant motivation of your own personal trainer (link to personal trainer page), as well as other exercisers in your program, and if you get bored, your trainer can change the routine to keep you interested while keeping you on track to get fit.  You’ll get all the good parts of tough home programs or joining a gym, but with customization to your specific needs so that you’ll know it works.

Of course, boot camp may or may not work as quickly as these other programs, but if you follow the advice of your trainer and continue to do the work, you will see results, and that’s a guarantee.

If you’re serious about fitness, but you need a change of pace, don’t go back to programs that are too intense, or join a gym where you’re left to fend for yourself. Boot camp is all of these things wrapped up in one efficient and effective package that will keep you motivated and have you in the best shape of your life before you know it. That’s a promise.