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Health & Fitness

Top 10 Reasons to Take a Boot Camp Exercise Class

Boot Camp exercise classes are challenging, but the benefits are many.

It kind of sounds intimidating: Boot Camp. Nonsense!

Although the name “boot camp” was inspired by military training, boot camp exercise classes are not as extreme as their military counterparts. If you want a great workout with results, you may want to consider taking a boot camp-style exercise class.

“Boot camps can vary, but generally include a fairly intense mix of strength training and aerobic elements,” according to MayoClinic.com.

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When you take a boot camp exercise class you:

  1. Are challenged.
  2. Become more confident; often that confidence extends into other aspects of your life.
  3. Build strength and tone muscles.
  4. Build endurance.
  5. Increase agility.
  6. Get support and motivation and greater results from camaraderie in the class.
  7. Get a whole-body workout.
  8. Give your mind not just your body – a workout.
  9. Burn calories. According to a study cited by MayoClinic.com, “the average exerciser burns approximately 9.8 calories per minute during a typical boot camp workout.”
  10. Won’t get bored.

 

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The Warrenville Park District offers Boot Camp every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:45-6:30 a.m. The class consists of a 5-minute warm up, 35 minutes of cardio and strength training, and a 5-minute cool down and stretch period. The workout is challenging for all levels of fitness, and no class is ever the same.

Lori, who has been going to Warrenville Park District FitnessNOW Boot Camp class “since Day one,” started to get more in shape and has kept coming because she likes the “hard and good workout...You feel so good after you’ve done it – you have such a sense of accomplishment,” she said.

You can pay for Warrenville Park District Boot Camp classes on a per-class basis, or you can purchase a Flex Pass, which allows you to take any group exercise class, any time, for one single fee.

If you’re not sure whether you’ll enjoy boot camp, you can take the first one for free! Just call 630.393.7279 for details.

As with any activity, “if you’re older than age 40, pregnant, haven’t exercised for some time or you have health problems, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor before starting a boot camp class,” recommends MayoClinic.com.

Now get down and give me 20 pushups! (Just kidding!)

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