Note on this week’s workout:
I was going through the archives on Bootcamp Ideas for and came across a favourite workout of mine I originally posted on Bootcamp Ideas 5 years ago.
What I liked even more than the workout though was the intro I had written. It’s still as relevant and important as it was 5 years ago so I’ve included it again untouched.
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I feel like I have been in a rut with my bootcamp plans lately. I’m sure you can relate to the feeling where you feel like you are just doing the same thing over and over.
When this happens I’ve found one needs to step back and get some perspective. Here’s what to do:
- Realise that your bootcamp rocks. The fact that you are feeling this way means that you care about the service you are giving your clients. And I bet that means you serve them up some awesome workouts every week already.
- Realise that what is old and boring to you, isn’t necessarily so for your clients.
- Learn how to tweak. Feel like you just keep doing squats and lunges? Keep doing them, just add some new squat and lunge varieties (videos on those links).
- Get some inspiration. I went to an old favourite of mine, ZombieFit, but you can come here to this site as often as you like. Or you can check out some other ones.
- Email me. If you are feeling really down about it, just shoot me an email and I will tell you how awesome you are.
Now on to today’s workout:
ZombieFit #2
Type: Strength – Muscular Endurance
Time: 45 minutes
Equipment: Mats, Interval Timer
Warm Up
Mobility: Perform 30-60 seconds on each exercise. Tadasana, 1 leg deadlifts, side/lateral lunges, warrior lunges, seal jacks
A group tag game of your choice.
Teamwork Drill
Plank Race
Split clients into two even groups. Line up one team of clients side by side in plank shoulder to shoulder. Line up the other team, also in plank but facing the first team. The end client hops up and runs to the other end and then gets down in plank. Once down on the ground they yell “Go!”. Then the next person gets up and runs over.
Proceed for 90 seconds in one direction, ensuring that clients stay shoulder to shoulder. Then return for 90 seconds in the other direction, this time doing a straight arm plank.
Main Drill – EMOM
EMOM means every minute on the minute. At the start of the every minute, clients must perform push ups, nose to knees and squats. After completing the required number of reps they get to rest for the rest of the minute.
Failure to complete a round inside the time limit means that the client will finish the repetitions for that round, then do 2 burpees, then rest for the rest of the minute and then join back in the following round.
First 5 minutes: 5 push ups, 4 nose to knee, 5 squats
Next 5 minutes: 5 push ups, 4 nose 2 knee, 10 squats
Next 5 minutes: 5 push ups, 10 nose 2 knee, 10 squats
Last 5 minutes: 10 push ups, 10 nose 2 knee, 10 squats
Total time = 20 minutes. Do not stop between 5 minute increments.
Cooldown
Gather your clients in a circle and stretch. Talk to your clients about why they should grab their bathroom scales and throw them in the bin. Constant weighing is neurotic and unhealthy.
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Original Image: danhollisterduck (Creative Commons)
Kyle Wood created Bootcamp Ideas in 2010 when he was hunting around on the internet for workout ideas. He ran a successful bootcamp in Victoria, Australia and spends his spare time managing this site, adventuring (or lazying) with his wife and find new ways to make bootcamps even better.
Kyle, I’ve read so much about the stress that crunches cause the low back. So many of the workouts include them. What are your thoughts?
Thanks
Diane Anderson
Hey Diane,
Absolutely worth checking on. It really depends on if the exercises are being done properly.
In my personal opinion, sit ups are out for general population. Way too much shear stress is placed on the spine, which the spine is just not designed for.
Crunches on the other hand are a much smaller movement. Done properly with correct core engagement they are a great ab tool. They are after all the cornerstone of many Pilates movements.
Check out this article on Dr. Stuart McGill’s work (if you haven’t come across him already). The Curl Up exercise can be a great starting point for those who struggle to activate their core properly in a crunch: https://www.livestrong.com/article/392341-stuart-mcgills-big-three-back-exercises/