Take a HIIT or "What is a Boot Camp?"

"If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere."
-Frank A. Clark

At Fitmania we have been pushing Boot Camps. I can't speak for all programs but let me tell you what they are and why they are so good at Fitmania.

First, a little about HIIT or high intensity interval training. A HIIT session consists of a warm up period of exercise, followed by six to ten repetitions of high intensity exercise, separated by medium intensity exercise or rest, and ending with a period of cool down exercise. The high intensity exercise should be done at near maximum intensity. There are a lot of approaches to HIIT, including Tabatas and what is sometimes called the Little Method. A typical HIIT session would not be longer than 20 minutes. HIIT is much more effective than an hour of cardio because it increases metabolism and burns fat faster. It also increases both anaerobic and aerobic thresholds, which makes it the rare workout protocol for both sprinters and endurance athletes.

Another kind of exercise is resistance training (weight training) which builds muscle and also increases metabolism, burns fat and increases strength. Body core and balance exercises are a critical part of this training.

Our Boot Camps use strength training to create a HIIT workout so you get the benefits of both at the same time. Three workouts a week for less than an hour, including a warm up and stretching, gets maximum benefits. This is why I often say it is the most amount of fitness for your time.

Additional facts about our Boot Camps:

• You will learn exercises you can do anywhere

• Every workout is a little different and never boring

• Workouts are held outside if at all possible

• The sessions are three weeks and then one week off

• We have 6:15 am, 9:00am and 6:00pm. While you are enrolled you can attend whatever times you want and as often as you want

• While enrolled you have free use of Fitmania's gym

• While enrolled you are encouraged to attend the stretching/yoga class which is free to you

• All Boot Camps are for men and women

• Each workout you attend enters you to win a free 7 day cruise

• Because chocolate can be a health food we have chocolate tasting the last day of each session

• Each three week session is only $99

New sessions starting:

• 9:00 am Monday the 21st
• 6:00 pm Monday July 5th
• 6:15 am Monday July 12th

For more on HIIT see http://fitmaniaboise.blogspot.com/2009/12/more-fit-in-less-time-or-step-away-from.html
For more on metabolism see http://fitmaniaboise.blogspot.com/2010/02/matildas-metabolism-and-8-ways-to.html
For more on the benefits of muscle see http://fitmaniaboise.blogspot.com/2010/03/is-it-fat-skinny-or-skinny-fat.html

"Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow."
-Mary Anne Radmacher