Monday, May 30, 2011

BOOTCAMP SCHEDULE

BOOTCAMP CLASS SCHEDULE

Mon

0830hrs

Jalan Lembah Permai ,Tg Bungah

Mon

1830hrs

Sg Nibong ( Bukit Jambul)

Tues

1830hrs

Youth Park

Wed

0830hrs

Jalan Lembah Permai ,Tg Bungah

Thurs

1845hrs

Jalan Lembah Permai ,Tg Bungah

Sun

0830hrs

Botanical Gardens

**Going forward please can you let us know by sms if you intend joining Sundays classes.

h/p + 60124380731**

[Click on link for map directions]

Phone: 0124380731

Web: www.bootcamp.pg.com

FB: Bootcamp Pg

Email: bootcamp.pg@gmail.com

Blog: http://bootcamppenang.blogspot.com/

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Bootcamp - The Verdict


Bootcamp - The Verdict


So it has been more than a month since I attended my first Bootcamp training and amazingly, I am still attending it religiously every Monday. The reason why it took so long to write a verdict on this is because.. well, I'd like to see for myself what they have to offer and if in fact they live up to what they claim they can deliver.

Also, I don't want to just attend ONE Bootcamp training and then spread to the world the next day that I 'survived' Bootcamp. Like DUH!, of course EVERYONE will survive Bootcamp! The program is not designed to kill you, only tough enough to make you crawl your way out of it.. no I'm just kidding. It's not that bad, really.

Now I may be writing this from the point of view of someone who is addicted to workouts and loves a bit of torture and pain, but I will try my best to write this so called 'verdict' from a general point of view, tho I can't promise there won't be any sadistic love shown for torture as the writing progresses.

Ok, BOOTCAMP. The name itself scares the hell out of a lot of people. For people like Zeek who didn't know what it's all about, he thought it was some orgy sex party. Well, there will be one common similarity though, and it's the elements of SM (sadomasochism) haha.


The promise

Bootcamp promises weight loss and all round fitness.

To be honest, from weight loss point of view, I can't really tell you that I've lost weight for I've always yo yo-ed in between 1 or 2 kgs, depending on my cycle and of course, DIET. One has to remember that Bootcamp itself, or any form of exercise at all, will not make you lose weight if you do not alter your eating habits. Hell, not even the famous Tracy Anderson (Madonna's fitness guru) can transform your Michelin body into a toned physique if you continue lining up at 3am for Nasi Beratur.

Fitness wise, I feel that the stamina is a bit better, I'm able to endure anaerobic exercises for longer time. I'm not just merely making a statement, I feel the change. I've been a gym freak for as long as I remember and I didn't feel or see a significant increase on my anaerobic fitness until recently. Perhaps I wasn't pushing myself hard enough in the gym, giving up when I felt like I couldn't handle it, hence, always back in square one. Gym was a walk in the park compared to Bootcamp. No I'm not trying to scare you off but let's just say if you pay to lose weight and get fit, you might as well go for the right solution.


The environment

I have love and hate relationship with Bootcamp being an outdoor fitness program. Of course the fresh air, wind factor and ample of space to move around helped but there's one thing I dislike, the grass. Now I'm not afraid of getting down and dirty rolling on the ground but I hate to deal with the itchiness from the grass after that :( Think I'm getting better in it now, my skin is still fine from Monday's training, no itching, redness or whatsoever.

Perhaps in a way I'm an exhibitionist, but I kinda like it when strangers began looking at us while we're working out. And the ego inside you says 'Ha, look at me, I'm tougher than you cause I'm doing Bootcamp and all you can do is just stare and wish you have that much energy level or stamina like mine, blek!'

Oh well, doesn't everyone loveee looking tough? *shrug*


The instructors

All of them are fit, period. Suppose if you're running a fitness class, you have to live up to the expectations yourself don't you? I remembered being reluctant to join an aerobics class conducted by a chubby instructor, questioning the effectiveness of the class since she looked kinda.. you know.. out of shape. So yes, appearance IS important one way or another.

The instructors are very professional in what they do, with most of them having had experiences in fitness themselves (ex army officer, state hockey coach, fitness instructors, triathlete) but they're not your average army officer who demands 50 pushups on the spot if you come in last in the race. Friendly, approachable and they took the effort to ask everyone's fitness level before the class so they know how much to push you and when not to.

Be prepared to get pushed, shouted at (in a good motivating way) and of course, the intensity of the trainings, which brings me to the next point.


The trainings


So far I think I've attended 5 or 6 classes of Bootcamp, don't remember but as far as I CAN remember, none of the trainings was ever repeated. We get different types of workouts and games in each training and that's what makes the training FUN! We never know what to expect!

Finding the fun in workout depends on oneself. The trainings are designed to get the best out of all the warriors (BC participants are addressed as such), the instructors are there to push and motivate you but at the end of the day, you need to find the satisfaction of getting the best out of the workout. And the satisfaction is none other than knowing that you have tried pushing and motivating yourself to give it just ONE more go when you think you can't anymore, and another, and another.

We ran, sprinted, jumped, did crazy numbers of crunches, planks, lunges; basically pushed to the max. Of course you are allowed to stop when you feel like you can't go on anymore, there's no pressure but ultimately I try to push the limits if I can.


Who's in Bootcamp?

A lot of people refrained from trying out Bootcamp because of this mentality.

I CANNOT POSSIBLY DO IT

10 years ago, I wouldn't have thought I could lose 8kgs. I didn't think I'd ever exercise at all, I didn't think men would like me coz I'm overweight, I didn't think I could be addicted to working out, I didn't think I could feel this good, yada yada yada excuses and more excuses...

You have already lost the war before you even began.

If you think Bootcamp is only for fit people, you're dead wrong (why do I sound like I'm getting paid to write this?) But hey, it's the truth. There are actually more unfit people who join this more than fit ones. But then again, that's the whole point isn't it? To get fitter.

So far in the sessions, I've seen both students and mainly working adults. Their aims differ from weight loss to getting fit, or fitter to getting ragged. Yes, it's good to know there are other people out there who love a lil bit of pain in their workouts like I do :D I have seen determined out of shape women who keep coming back to push themselves further and really, you have to give it to them. They willed themselves to fight the war. And the good news is, some of them actually did lose weight! You see, discipline and hardwork will eventually get you to where you want to be, slowly but surely!


Price

Some people may deem the price a little too steep for what they're getting. Yes I have to be frank, there are no gym equipments for you to show off those biceps, no air conditioning (strictly depends on weather) or even hot ladies in lycra to ogle at for men but well, for me it's a good change, though I still have my gym membership which I seldom use now coz I much prefer outdoor trainings.

No time wasted to wait to use the machines or equipments, just one full hour of great workout. Plus it can get too claustrophobic in stuffy gym room sometimes.

It really depends on the individual, I can't tell you where to invest your money in fitness. Some people invest thousands in a bike they rarely use and some people also invest thousands in yearSSS of gym membership they stop going after a year.

I actually think it's a good deal. You pay RM150 a month and you get 6 hours per week, that's like 6x4= 24 hours (provided you attend ALL the classes diligently) worth of intense workout into your system. I'm sure by the end of the first month you are bound to see some results!

So value for money? Yea, why not?

TOTALLY.


Friday, May 27, 2011

Self Delusional Health and Fitness by C



If I have to be honest with myself I am a bit self delusional . Not to generalize too much but like most men I think I am fitter than I really am , able to run faster than I really can , healthier , more intelligent, better looking than I really am, you know the way it goes :) But the funny thing is that I watched a news item yesterday which confirmed that most people think that they are better than what they really are , in fact it’s nature’s way to help us get through life positively. Maybe it also explains why so many tone deaf singers try out for American Idol.

But seriously I began to think more about this point and asked myself the question. Is this type of thinking the reason behind why we delude ourselves and do not try to get fitter & eat a healthier diet?

For example smoking , I have a friend who once told me that he had given up the habit but when I probed further, he said he only smokes after six pm. I said to him "Great at least that's a positive move". He then informed me that he is now only smoking 10 cigs after 6 pm. I asked him "How many did you smoke each day before you started your the new withdrawal regime?" He said "10 cigs" Self delusional???

Now I know that maybe somewhat of a extreme case but hey let’s look at fitness training. In this area I am never ceased to be amazed by the amount of self delusioned statements I have heard throughout the years.
For example:

"Hey I go to the gym everyday" ( fact- When in gym ,read paper , look at girls and maybe spin the bike for 10 mins).

"Hey I go walking each day" ( fact:walk from the car to the office and back ).

“ Hey I used to do Judo , Dragon Boating when at school” ( fact he is now 50 years of age and school was 35 years ago).

“I do exercise every day” ( fact he goes to the park , swings his arms about a few times , exercises his eyes and goes home).

“I walk the dog every day ( fact: the dog walks and pulls him along on the bicycle).

In short if we want to get fit, you must first try to be honest with yourself. A hard thing to do as I know when nature is telling us we are doing just fine.

But the reality is we must plan ahead as we are now living longer. Did you know quality of life in older age is linked to the type of training and diet we do now? Btw I know the 20 something's out there don't believe they will ever be 60 some day but the fact is you will unless misfortune strikes you down.

The reality is it is really good to do some form of exercise each day as our bodies need it. The exercise you do should raise the heart rate for 20-30minutes at a time . You should try an exercise you enjoy; maybe walking , dancing , swimming ,hillwalking , cycling etc. Try to do it in a group or with a friends so you can motivate each other, enjoy the conversation and have fun along the way .

Anyway have to go, hope to see ya at Bootcamp

Happy training :)

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

The Ten Commandments Of Marathon Running

MyDrinkaware | A diary that helps track your alcohol units, calories and costs

Drinkers find calories in alcohol hard to swallow




People have no idea how many calories are in alcoholic drinks despite pledges to lose weight, research suggests.
A poll of 2,000 Britons found fewer than one in three (29pc) could say roughly how many calories are in a standard 175ml glass of wine -- it is 134.
This is despite 40pc knowing their recommended daily calorie intake and 42pc knowing the approximate number of calories in a cheeseburger (337).

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Simple jogging test may predict your risk for heart disease


Can you run a mile (1.6 kilometers), and if so, how fast? If you’re middle-aged, researchers claim that this fitness test could predict your chances of having a heart attack or stroke over the next decade.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Fidgeting Your Way to Fitness



















If work is interfering with your plans for a workout today, perhaps you should drum your fingers against your desktop in frustration. Doing so may help, in some small way, to maintain or augment your fitness, at least according to a study published last month in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise