Bringing Boot Camp classes to Your Facility

There are some unique managerial issues to consider before putting the popular boot-camp style class on your group exercise schedule.

By Mike James

Over the past five years, group exercise classes have changed dramatically. Many existing and potential new members have grown tired of the traditional aerobics and step classes, and are seeking something different for their exercise programs. With the increasing popularity of boot camp classes, clubs are using traditional military-based training techniques to entice people to exercise. But successful boot camp programs share a number of similarities, aside from a military-based theme and exercise regimen. There are also some unique managerial issues to consider before putting this type of class on your group exercise schedule.

Boot camp variations

Boot-camp-style classes are becoming increasingly popular in health clubs throughout the country, and there are many variations on the boot-camp theme. The classes can meet in your group exercise room, or they can operate outside of the traditional club setting, with groups meeting in public parks and sports facilities.

Torrie Allman, general manager at Frog's Club One in Solana Beach, Calif., introduced boot camp classes three years ago. Allman says he has seen the interest in this type of class "increase quite markedly over the past year, albeit with some ebbs and flows depending on the weather." For instance, since they are located in a temperate climate, members can meet outside for a more realistic approach. Their class attracts 30 to 40 members every Saturday in the club parking lot. After some warm-up stretches, Mike Magira leads his boot camp participants in a half-mile jog to the beach where they engage in an hour and 30 minutes of interval work, with activities such as squat thrusts, sniper crawls and an obstacle course.

While the Frog's class is coed, Gold's Gym in Arlington, Va., has been conducting a women's-only boot camp class since September 1998. According to Kirk Trader, vice president of Fitness &Image Results (consultants who manage the program), "The boot camp classes are extremely popular, averaging 20 participants per class in "inter and 25 to 30 women in summer."

Marketing strategy

Before beginning a boot camp program, decide who your target audience is. Trader at Fitness & Image Results explains, "We purposely decided to target women in the 25-to 35-year age group for this program. These women are a different demographic from our personal training clients. They are looking for something different from the traditional aerobics class formal "Trader also points out that "the boot camp's intense type of training has a number of benefits, including increased strength and cardiovascular endurance, with greater calorie burning and fat loss." These types of benefits should be mentioned in marketing materials.

Allman at Frog's Club One finds that the age group for his class "tends to be 40 years and under, with a 60-percent men [to] 40-percent women ratio." While Fitness & Image Results markets its program as a four-week package at an additional cost (discounted for Gold's members), Frog's Club One has boot camp as a regular class that is held throughout the year, at no additional cost for members, and daily rates for non-members. 

To attract people to your program, the boot camp class should emphasize a variety of activities and exercises. Examples include running laps with a brick in each hand or up stairs with a sack of lO-pound dumbbells. Emphasize this variety when promoting your program to members and the general public, as it can attract free publicity. Both the Frog's and Fitness & Image programs receive frequent free media coverage through newspapers, and local and national television stations.

To market these classes, use pictures and personal testimonials on posterboards to help attract existing members. Club newsletters, along with local newspapers and television stations, are other commonly used marketing vehicles, arid Fitness & Image Results also has a Website (BootCampwomen.com).

What type of program?

A successful boot camp program does not necessarily have a snarling, spitting, drill sergeant with a whistle who barks out orders. The degree to which you use the strict military regimen depends on your group.

Both Frog's Club One and Fitness & Image Results have advanced groups for the super fit. "Our advanced group tends to be for a few super hard-core exercisers, so it is really not designed with fun in mind. This group usually comprises a small number of individuals and is only held for 4 to 6 weeks at various times of the year," Allman explains.

Fitness & Image Results actively markets the concept of its "A" team, an elite women's boot camp. To be eligible to join the A team, a member must pass a grueling physical fitness test. She must be able to run two miles in under 17 minutes, and perform 20 full push-ups, 40 sit-ups in a minute, five chin-ups and a 30-second bar hang.

At Fitness & Image Results, the boot camp classes are highly structured. "By having different activities each day, you eliminate training plateaus," Trader explains. This can also help alleviate the boredom that many participants feel in traditional aerobics and step classes.

At Frog's Club One, Allman and his team of instructors employ basic interval training techniques to promote cardiovascular benefits. "Our basic format is to use a series of full-body exercises like jumping jacks, squat thrusts, etc., followed by an active recovery activity like jogging, beach swimming or wading through the shallows," Allman says.

While the exercises used can be very innovative, careful consideration should be given to safety, correct form and adherence to basic concepts of exercise physiology.

Instructor choice

The instructor plays a major role in motivating boot camp participants. Correct instructor selection is the most important factor for a successful boot camp and cannot be overemphasized.

Abier Burgul is a 30-year-old participant in the boot camp program at Gold's. Burgul feels that "the team atmosphere makes it very motivating." Does this A-team boot camp participant ever feel like staying in bed on cold winter mornings? "Yes, but if you have a good instructor, you hear them in the back of your mind so you get up!" Burgul replied. "Our instructor has always been very motivating. If it weren't for him, I certainly wouldn't be running up stairs with a lO-pound sack of bricks."

While Lewis, a boot camp instructor for Fitness & Image Results, exhorts his female troops to work hard during cold winter mornings, he is certainly not the stereotypical, in-your-face drill sergeant. Lewis loves motivating people to be the best they can be. "If I can change a person's physical appearance, I am sure this can translate into other aspects of their lives," he says.

Frog's Allman says, "The main quality I look for in an instructor is that they be good with people. The same personal qualities apply as in other group exercise classes." Trader adds that, "A good instructor should be reliable and dependable --you shouldn't have to worry whether your instructor will turn up on cold mornings."

While discipline is important, the more aggressive approach associated with real military boot camps is frowned upon. Both Trader and Allman agree on a more humane approach to exercise. "Any yelling, shouting or insults are done very much in a joking fashion. There is a smile behind every command," Allman explains. "We certainly don't have our instructors go around calling everyone maggots," adds Trader.

"While prior military experience may be an advantage, instructors should also be qualified in first aid and have a background in exercise science," says Allman. First aid certification is definitely essential. The group may be quite a distance away from the club setting where first aid supplies are not available. Exercise science knowledge and a certification are also sound requirements for boot camp instructors. They should be able to determine appropriate intensity levels for individuals within the group and to prescribe the correct exercises in extreme temperatures.

Special considerations

Boot camp programs have unique circumstances that managers must be aware of and plan for. If the program is located away from your club, be aware of potential scenarios that could cause injury. Twisted ankles, dehydration and hypothermia are the most common.

Aside from having instructors certified in CPR and first aid, they should carry a cell phone in case of an emergency. The instructor should have a fully stocked first aid box and a fanny pack with items such as ice packs, sunscreen and energy bars. They should know where to locate drinking fountains and shaded or sheltered areas, as well as the exact address of where they are in case emergency help needs to be called.

When the weather is cold, boot camp participants must be given clear instructions on what type of clothes to wear and precautions to take to avoid hypothermia. And the instructor should have clear authority to exclude members from a class if they do not follow these common-sense guidelines.

Legal waiver

Waivers are an essential criteria for boot camp programs. Before participating in a program, have participants sign a legal waiver that exempts the club from potential lawsuits in the event of injury. This is particularly important for people in the program who are not members of your club, and hence have not signed the waiver included in the membership agreement. For members, the waiver in their membership agreement should cover them. However, it is worth consulting a lawyer to make sure your waiver covers all contingencies.

Approval from local authorities

If your classes use public parks, beaches and facilities, get written approval from a local government authority, school principal and/or the facility manager. Allman emphasizes that it is very important to obtain this approval in writing prior to commencing your boot camp program.

"Not every member of the public appreciates 40 people taking up space on their beach or public park land, particularly if you are doing things like stair runs, which can hinder people's access to a beach or park land," Allman says. "If you have established good public relations with your local authorities (which is highly advisable for any club), this should not pose too many problems." As a matter of courtesy, Allman also contacts the local Lifeguard Club and advises them when and where the classes will take place on the beach.

To avoid clashes with the public, schedule boot camp programs during off-peak hours when public usage is minimal. The early morning, as opposed to the middle of the day, is best for places like parks and beaches. If you are using school grounds or facilities, school vacation times are the best.

Make sure that you know who exactly is responsible for the public space you are using. This can sometimes be trick)" because depending on the location of your club and the place you are using, the jurisdiction may change. For example, Arlington borders Alexandria, which has its own different local authorities. Likewise, Frog's Club One is located directly between two different jurisdictions.

Some allied benefits

A well-managed boot camp program can provide valuable new revenue, increased participation and variety to your group exercise program, potential new members and a unique esprit de corps among participants. There are other benefits as well, such as increasing exposure to other profit centers in your club. Gold's offers an initial consultation with a dietitian and free sessions with a personal trainer as incentives for people to sign up for boot camp. The team spirit can also result in merchandising opportunities for items such as T-shirts, water bottles and other pro shop supplies with distinctive boot camp logos.

Evaluating the program

There are a number of ways to evaluate the success of your boot camp program. Standard measures such as usage, retention and new sign ups are helpful, but membership feedback is the most powerful. Get feedback through surveys or informal discussions with members. Pre-and post-testing for measures of percent body fat, performance, etc., can give verifiable results for goal-oriented members. Organized social gatherings can also be a measure of success. Since many people join this type of class for the group interaction, a well-attended out-of-class get-together is a good sign.

The new millennium will bring many changes to the traditional group exercise schedule. With careful planning, management and instructor selection, boot camp classes could be a worthwhile addition to your club's program. FM

James is manager of the World Bank Fitness Center, Washington, D.C.