Finally, research has caught up with what I have always been preaching and teaching – if your body and you can take it, Boot Camp is one of the best workouts and most efficient workouts!
According to a study released today by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) in San Diego (not to blow my horn but I used to work for them when I lived in San Diego) a typical boot camp-style workout enhances aerobic capacity and promotes significant calorie burning while also improving muscle fitness. The exclusive study on the benefits of boot camp workouts was conducted at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse through its exercise and health program.
The study concluded that the average exerciser burns approximately 9.8 calories per minute during a typical boot camp-style workout. This equates to about 400 calories during a 40-minute video or 600 calories per hour.
“From a cardiovascular and calorie-burning standpoint, the boot camp-style workout evaluated in this study compared favorably to traditional aerobic activities like group cycling, aerobic dancing and cardio-kickboxing,” says ACE’s Chief Science Officer Cedric X. Bryant. “During a boot camp workout, you can burn up to 600 calories per hour, which is obviously going to help with weight loss. But in addition to a great cardiovascular workout, you are also getting the muscular fitness benefit from exercises such as push-ups, squats and lunges that you wouldn’t get from a typical aerobic exercise.”
I am currently teaching a private Boot Camp on Tues mornings at Fitness First in Tysons Corner at 6:30 am. I also teach one offered to members of Fitness First on Saturdays at 8:00 am. To inquire, please e-mail me at ellen@n2shape.com.