I recently had a discussion with a Personal Training client on the benefits of doing an outdoor boot camp class versus a gym workout with machines.  It was interesting to hear their perspective on the perceived benefits, and drawbacks, for each of those options.  Based on those comments, I believe now would be a prudent and appropriate time for me to share a bit of my passion and knowledge.

In our boot camp classes, we use various pieces of free weight equipment (dumbbells, kettle bells, medicine balls, etc.) and/or body weight exercises.  This means that you're standing on your own two feet, utilizing multiple muscle groups and your core.

In the gym, it seems that there's usually an abundance of machines (treadmills, ellipticals, universal gyms, etc.) and not much else.  And, those machines are usually set up in such a way that it encourages users to follow a set "circuit".

The intent of our boot camp classes is to provide our clients with a variety of exercises, using various pieces of equipment, and challenge their capabilities.  The exercises, and/or equipment, for each class are routinely different than the last, and each class during the training session is planned to be progressively more challenging than the last.  Those changes in routine and intensity will produce results.

Without the benefit of a personal trainer, most folks that go to the gym tend to repeat the same workout, using the same equipment in the same order and wonder why they don't see the results they anticipated.

And, in a gym, you can be fairly limited in the exercises that can be done.  For example, lying on your back on a bench and pressing a weight overhead.  That will get you very good at doing just that, lying on a bench and pressing weights overhead, but not a lot else.  Surely getting strong by lifting weights from the ground, carrying them, or being able to press them overhead from a standing position is a lot more useful.

If your intent is to simply put on lots of muscle, then the isolation type of training that you'll get from a universal gym is important and this is where those machines and bench type exercises can be beneficial.  However, if you want to be fit, like an athlete, then you need to get off those machines and do more training on your own two feet.  Using lighter loads, in a more challenging environment, will produce more useful results while minimizing the risk of injury.

My workout philosophy has always been to not only get you results, but to make you stronger for everyday life too.  When you get off the machines and train standing up you'll engage a lot more muscles as well as improve your balance too.  And, training outside will get you fresh air and scenery that you simply can't get in a gym!

Loreli's company, Alter Ego Fitness Experience, offers Personal Training, Group Fitness (boot camp) and YogaFit training options.  Her passion for overall health and wellness, and her innate ability to sense a client’s personal struggles, enables her to assist them to get to their next level and to, ultimately, find their “alter ego”!

"Overall health and fitness is a journey, not a destination!"