Call to regulate 'boot camp' fitness trend

Antonio Narciso, 39, died of suspected heart failure during a gruelling workout near the Essendon Canoe Club.

More than 250 boot campers watched in horror as teammates and training staff tried in vain to resuscitate Mr Narciso until paramedics arrived. He died at the scene.

Mr Narciso's death is being investigated by the coroner.

The tragedy prompted calls for reform of boot camp-style fitness training. Experts believed it was under-regulated.

Mr Narciso's sister, who gave her name only as Rita, said his family was reeling from the shock.

"It's too much to bear," she said. "I just lost my brother and I can't cope."

A witness to Mr Narciso's collapse, who asked not to be named, said the workout on November 13 took its toll on Mr Narciso. The witness believed the soccer-mad cargo professional had been pushed too hard.

"He was carrying a bit of weight, so he was probably going harder than he should have been," the witness said.

Mr Narciso was in the seventh of 11 "platoons" ranked according to fitness.

Brent Lavery, director of boot camp operator Paramount Health and Fitness, said Mr Narciso had done nine boot camp courses in three years.

"His friends and family have said that had he been home brushing his teeth it would have happened," Mr Lavery said.

"Maybe we had extended his life a few more years. Maybe his lifestyle outside of boot camp wasn't doing him any favours."

Mr Lavery said all the trainers were qualified in first aid and had mobile phones for emergencies.

Paramount Health and Fitness boot campers have to sign a waiver before starting the program.

No compulsory medical tests are conducted to determine underlying conditions.

Mr Lavery said Paramount had changed some screening protocols since Mr Narciso's death.

Sports and exercise physician Dr Peter Larkins warned boot camps were more dangerous to health than mild exercise.

"For the average bloke coming out of an office or sedentary job, there's a caution message," he said.

"Doctors keep seeing stress and overload injuries such as sore backs and shins, and achilles tendon injuries from over exertion with insufficient technique instruction.

"That ethos of 'no pain, no gain' is a 1950s mentality. We've learnt a lot about fitness since then."

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