What Is a Bootcamp Class? A Plain Guide

“Bootcamp” is one of those words that puts some parents off before they have even looked into it. It can conjure up images of someone shouting at you in a muddy park at 6am. So if you have been wondering what is a bootcamp class, and whether it is for someone like you, this guide explains it plainly: where the idea came from, what actually happens in a session, the different styles you will come across in London, and what makes a good one. I have run training in Archway for over 10 years, so I will keep it honest.

What is a bootcamp class? A simple definition

A bootcamp class is a group workout led by a coach that mixes strength exercises and cardio in one session, usually in a circuit or interval format. Most last between 30 and 60 minutes. The name comes from military-style training, but modern bootcamps are much more varied. Many, including mine, have nothing military about them at all beyond the fact that the session is structured and someone else does the planning.

The key features of most bootcamp classes are:

• A coach leads the session and sets the exercises, timings and rest.
• Full-body training rather than focusing on one muscle group.
• A mix of strength and cardio, often using bodyweight, kettlebells, dumbbells and resistance bands.
• Simple kit, so classes can run in a hall, a park or a studio.
• A group setting, where everyone works at the same time but at their own level.

What happens in a typical session

Every coach runs things a little differently, but most bootcamp classes follow a similar shape:

1. Warm-up (5 to 10 minutes). Gentle movement to raise your heart rate and loosen your joints. It helps you move better and feel ready for the harder work.
2. Main workout (20 to 40 minutes). Usually a circuit of stations or a series of timed rounds. You might do 40 seconds of work and 20 seconds of rest, moving between exercises like squats, kettlebell swings, push-ups, rows, lunges and carries.
3. Finisher (optional, a few minutes). A short, harder burst to finish, such as a few rounds of a simple cardio move.
4. Cool-down (a few minutes). Slower breathing and some light stretching.

If the circuit format is new to you, my guide on what circuit training is explains how stations and rounds work.

Common types of bootcamp in London

Not all bootcamps are the same, and knowing the differences helps you find one that suits you.

• Outdoor park bootcamps. Held in parks, often early morning. Fresh air is great, but they are weather dependent and kit is limited.
• Indoor bootcamps. Held in halls or studios. More kit, warmth and light all year, and no cancelled sessions because of rain.
• Large-group bootcamps. Sometimes 20 or more people per coach. Big energy, but less individual attention.
• Small-group bootcamps. Capped numbers, often around 10, so the coach can correct form and adjust exercises for each person.
• Specialist bootcamps. Some are aimed at specific groups, such as new mums, runners or people over a certain age.

Who a bootcamp class suits

A bootcamp class tends to work well for people who:

• Want strength and cardio in one efficient session.
• Do not want to plan their own workouts.
• Find it easier to turn up when someone is expecting them.
• Enjoy a bit of company while they train.

A good class should offer easier and harder versions of each exercise, so it can work whether you are new to exercise or already fairly fit. If you have an injury, are pregnant, have recently had a baby, or have a health condition such as high blood pressure or joint pain, check with your GP or physio before starting, and tell the coach before the class.

What makes a good bootcamp class

The format is simple, so the quality comes down to the coach and the set-up. Look for:

• A coach who asks about injuries and experience before you start.
• Clear demonstrations of each exercise.
• Options to make moves easier or harder.
• A group small enough that the coach can actually watch you.
• A calm, encouraging atmosphere rather than shouting.

How SYP Bootcamp classes work

SYP Bootcamp is a small-group class for busy mums and dads, held indoors in a hall in Archway, N19. Each class lasts 45 minutes, has a maximum of 10 people and costs £15. We use kettlebells, dumbbells, bands and bodyweight, and every exercise has an easier and harder option. See this week’s class times on the booking page.

FAQs

Is a bootcamp class the same as HIIT?

Not quite. HIIT is a style of training built around short, very hard efforts with rest in between. Many bootcamps include some HIIT-style intervals, but a good bootcamp also includes controlled strength work, not just going flat out.

How fit do you need to be for a bootcamp class?

You do not need to be fit to start a well run class. The coach should give you easier versions of each exercise and let you work at your own pace, then build up over time.

What do you wear to a bootcamp class?

Comfortable clothes you can move in, supportive trainers and layers if it is outdoors. Bring a water bottle and, if you like, a small towel.

See what a bootcamp class is like for yourself

The easiest way to understand a bootcamp class is to try one. If you are a parent in Archway, Highgate, Tufnell Park, Holloway or nearby, head to the SYP Bootcamp booking page and tap “Book my £15 class”, or WhatsApp me on 07301 512215. If you are still deciding whether group training is right for you, my honest guide to whether fitness bootcamps are worth it covers the pros and cons. And if you would prefer one-to-one coaching instead, you can find out about private personal training in Archway.

About the author

Artem Olekhnovych is a personal trainer in Archway and the founder of SYP Fitness and SYP Bootcamp. He has coached clients in Archway, Highgate and across North London for over 10 years, and runs small-group bootcamp classes for busy mums and dads. Read reviews from his 1-1 clients.