'Boot Camp' - the new fitness craze

When Caudel McNab first started his version of "Boot Camp" in Freeport, he had visions of it being successful with lots of people showing up, but he was not sure how long it would last.

To make his fears even more real, McNab said that he had friends in two other Caribbean islands who began boot camps in their respective countries, only to have them fade away after only a few weeks.

McNab's "YMCA Boot Camp" has been going on for close to a year, and it is getting stronger.

"It has actually grown since we first started," said McNab.

"I remember those first sessions when we only had like six or eight people show up. Now, the last session, which was on Wednesday past, we had over 50 people participate.

"That's a big improvement."

McNab probably has reason to be surprised that amount of people showed up to the camp.

After all, not many people are willing to get up out of their beds at 5 a.m. to go to the GB Sports Complex and take part in a boot camp. Especially if it's cold outside.

But not even the cold was able to stop the numbers from growing.

In fact, whenever the camp had to be put off because of rain or the threat of hurricane, people actually complained about it.

It was the participants who suggested that McNab consider another day instead of just Saturdays.

Implementing a Wednesday morning as the other day, McNab was suprised to see how many people showed up in the middle of the week.

"I think because Saturdays are normally the time when people tend to want to stay in bed a little longer," said McNab.

"So, Wednesdays has become a big day for the camp."

This session of Boot Camp is set to end on December 15, during which time McNab said that they will raffle a number of prizes, followed by a social later that evening for participants, as well as for members of the YMCA.

With the new session set to begin in January, and with the "New Year's Resolution syndrome" that kicks in around that time, McNab said that he's aware that many people will be flocking to the camp as a part of their resolution promises.

Asked if he would consider going to three days out of the week, McNab only smiled and said that it could interfere with his duties at the fitness gym at the YMCA.

"The ideal number of days for a boot camp is really three days, but I have other commitments," said McNab.

Mention the word "Boot Camp" and people automatically think of the military and the movie "G.I. Jane". But McNab said that it's nothing like that.

"The pre-conception is that something like that is only for people who are fit, but once they come out and see it, that perception is changed. We try to make it fun for the people," he said.

"There are variations of exercises that we do and it depends on the people, which will determine whether we speed things up or slow the pace down."

To keep things balanced and to make everyone feel comfortable, the camp is sometimes split into two groups, the more athletic type and the intermediate group.

That's where no one goes ahead of the other and each person can participate at their own pace.

One session will last for about 45 minutes, but it's 45 minutes of continuous moving. There is never a break in between.

Rest periods involve walking or jogging in place.

While it may not be the real military boot camp, there are some basic movements that the group perform each session, including jogging, walking, lunges, squats (no weights), push-ups, run the steps, toe raises and abdominal exercises.

This may sound difficult, but McNab said that each person is allowed to exercise at his/her own pace and not having to try and compete with someone who may be more athletically inclined.

It took sometime for the idea to catch on, but these days, it's becoming one of those fitness crazes that's sweeping the island.

To prove just how effective the boot camp is, McNab says that participants have reported to him their weight loss and the benefits they've gained from taking part in the camp.

"That's the encouraging part, when people come up to you and tell you that they've lost weight, they've gotten more tone or that they're in the best shape they've ever been in," said McNab.

"Those kind of results will only be seen as long as people are willing to be dedicated to proper eating as they are to exercising.

"There's no way you can take part in this kind of programme, eat right and not lose weight or get in shape."

McNab is looking forward to next year when boot camp will celebrate one year.

He's convinced that the idea will become more popular, once people see the results they're looking for.

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