ROSS
Rather than making a hate-speech about the poor quality of ‘bootcamps’, ‘fitness classes’ and all the rest of the drivel that’s kicking around, I’m going to focus on the positives and give y’all 9 reasons why my Bootcamp is the dug’s danglies:
1) Injury prevention
No fitness professional/coach can every categorically guarantee that no one will get injured on their watch.
However, what I can guarantee is that absolutely everything will be done to ensure injury rates are as low as humanly possible.
That means tons of time will be spent focussing on mobility, muscle activation, lifting technique and breathing before a ball is kicked.
It also means everyone will be individually coached to ensure form is as good as it possibly can be.
Furthermore, ‘jumpy’ exercises – such as squat thrusts, burpees and the like – will be avoided; particularly in the early stages, until everyone’s bodies are able to deal with the stresses of such dynamic movements.
2) Equipment
The world knows ‘free weights’ is where it’s at when it comes to fat loss and fitness results.
In fact, it’s so widely accepted that there is no longer an argument.
But, here’s the problem:
Most commercial gyms have (a maximum of) one squat rack, maybe one or two barbells, a collection on light dumbbells and maybe one or two kettlebells. Then there’s a gazillion treadmills, cross trainers and a whole load of other space-wasting contraptions that the ‘work-really-hard-but-don’t-change-shape’ crew use.
And don’t get me started on when the squat rack is being used and your whole workout turns to ‘Plan B’.
Now, lemme talk you through what we gotz:
2 squat stands – for dem squatz.
2 trap bars – these are like unicorns in commercial gyms; everyone wants them but few gyms have them…and if your gym has one it’s being used all the time. Believe me.
6 barbells – yes, I said 6. That’s one barbell for every 2-3 bootcampers – not one barbell four 4,000 gym members.
Battle ropes – mega-useful whole body conditioning tool, which doubles as a tug-of-war utensil.
Full range of kettlebells – last time I counted we had 16. Could be more now…or maybe less if there’s a kettlebell munching goblin kicking around.
Full range of powerbags – I used to view these as ‘faddy functional training tools’, however, now I’m a convert and they provide a super-cool variation to bootcamp workouts.
Ab-rollers – for dem abz.
Benches – for a multitude of uses; for example, step ups, bench press, box squats.
Boxing gloves & pads – for punching and kicking, obvz.
That’s all I got off the top of my head – pretty sure there’s resistance bands, some dumbbells and more cool stuff but I’ve got things to do and people to train so I’ll leave it there.
3) Variety
I like to vary the exercises, rep ranges, times and all the rest of that jazz, which is called periodisation.
Now, don’t be put off by the jargon.
‘Periodisation’ simply means: changing shit up to ensure progression.
That’s it; nothing more and nothing less.
The workouts are varied and tailored to ensure you get stronger, fitter and leaner over the course of the 8 weeks.
‘Samey’ isn’t how we roll, mostly because my attention span won’t allow it.
4) Punching & Kicking
This is a real deal-advancer (the opposite of a deal breaker, which is like bad breath on a date or a guy with a criminal record dating your daughter etc. etc.).
Boxing is a great way to burn calories and fat, whilst learning new skills and getting all of that pent up stress and frustration out.
But this ain’t no boxercise, yo’!
I’ve been lucky enough to have trained ‘punch-face’ in the UK’s best gym for a number of years, as well as in gyms in Thailand and Australia.
As a result (despite me still being rubbish at fighting), I’ve trained with UFC fighters, world champion Thai boxers, pro-boxers and a plethora of other super-talented peepz.
By virtue of this, I’ve developed workouts that are fun, creative and yet authentic to put my Bootcampers through during their block.
There’s always ear-to-ear smiles when they see the pads’n’gloves and that means ‘the boaxin’ is here to stay!
5) Atmosphere
Quite simply, everyone is welcome (well, everyone who is committed…see below for more).
There’s always a mixture of abilities, shapes and fitness levels, and that’s great.
We all progress together, regardless of starting point.
In fact, what I’m most proud of, with regards to my Bootcamps, is how friendly and helpful my ‘Original Gangsters’ are to newcomers.
Whether it’s helping out with technical pointers, offering encouragement mid-set and even taking time out to let newbies know that they too once struggled with everything, and that they only ‘make it look easy’ because they’ve been grinding for months; making incremental progress over time.
I find this amazing to watch, because it’s honest.
Everyone finds fitness hard at the start, but with support, motivation, accountability and the right atmosphere, it’s amazing what can be achieved.
6) Nutritional support
I’ve made it my mission over the past few years to advance my already better-than-average nutrition knowledge by seeking out the best guys in the nutrition world, paying them large sums of money and travelling up and down the UK to spend time listening to them speak.
As a result, I’m able to fine-tune the diets of even those who have struggled for decades.
It’s oftentimes not simple, in fact, it’s almost an educational process. But I’m confident no one is ‘beyond help’.
Contact-wise, I’m always just an email away for any of my ‘peepz’ and look to offer individualised nutrition advice – as much as I possibly can – to ensure that everyone is progressing and not stressing (that rhymes…potential future catchphrase right thurrr!!!).
7) Q&A
This has been a relatively new addition to my AM Bootcamp sessions, but already it’s proving a hit.
Whilst we’re stretching off at the end, I open the court for questions and look to answer to the best of my ability.
Amazingly, every question that’s asked is an issue with multiple Bootcampers so it provides me with the opportunity to educate en mass to ensure my peepz are even better equip to deal with their fitness and fat loss journeys after each and every single session.
8) Accountability
Put very simply, if you’re not showing up I’m going to be on your case.
Physical progress is all about consistency, both at bootcamp and with regards to your nutrition…and so if you’re skipping sessions here and there your progress is going to be supremely limited.
An analogy I like to use is school: you don’t get smarter skipping classes, you get smarted by showing up day in, day out and getting your learn on.
Same goes with fitness and fat loss.
You get fitter, stronger and leaner by showing up, regardless of the bullshit excuse you’re feeding yourself.
9) No nonsense approach/money back guarantee
This is totally new (and potentially business suicide), but is something I should’ve done a long time ago.
Here’s how it’s gonna go, in a few simple (and non-negotiable) steps…
– All monies earned from PM Bootcamp sign-ups are going to be held in a make-shift, temporary account.
– A register is going to be taken at the start of every session.
– If you miss 1 session you’ll be chased up and asked why (see point 8).
– If you miss 2 sessions your commitment will be questioned, you’ll be told that I’m not angry, I’m disappointed and you’ll be reminded that consistency is key to fat loss and fitness success.
– If you miss 3 sessions you’ll be asked not to come back and you’ll receive your money back.
(Holidays are the obvious exception, as there’s a few peepz signed up but already disclosed they’re going to miss a week or two due to holibags. That’s cool, but only when you’re actually on holiday.)
This probably looks a little harsh and maybe even stupid on my part.
But your results are more important to me than money.
And the bottom line is you ain’t going to get ‘dem gainz’ by showing up as and when you please/at your own convenience.
You’re going to get them by showing up day-in, day-out even when you don’t feel like it/have had a bad day/can’t stand the sight of my face or sound of my voice anymore.
I simply expect commitment from you once you’ve signed up.
If that’s too much to ask, please feel free to contact a trainer who will put up with your half-hearted attitude and be happy to take your money for it.
The Wrap Up
With all of that said, I’m sure you can see that my Bootcamp is a ‘results getter’.
I’m pumped for the next block of ‘PM Bootcamp’ to kick off on the 16th of June and very much look forward to helping a host of newcomers improve their physical condition, strength and fitness.
Spaces are available, at time of writing, and for anymore details feel free to get in touch at info@rossstewartfitness.com or shoot me a private message at www.facebook.com/RossStewartFitness.
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