Fitness Boot Camps—Is That Really for Me??

Ever wondered if a fitness boot camp is the right way for you to get in shape? Marin fitness expert and owner of Novato Adventure Boot Camp Carlos Payte explains what it's all about in this guest article.

"What is Novato Adventure Boot Camp and how could I possibly be helped by it?” That is one of many questions that people think as they hear the name, see the bright-orange-and-red SUV heading down the streets of Novato, hear the buzz around town, or quietly observe as they walk their dogs past one of our locations in Novato. Americans seem to constantly be looking for better, more efficient, more fun, and more challenging ways to get into better shape.

We all know the familiar rush to join a new gym (or renew that old dusty membership card) after the holidays. We all know the promises to ourselves, the new commitments, and the dedication that we really WILL stick to it this time around. The fact is that most of us don’t stick to our commitments when it relates to taking care of ourselves. We have work, families, friends, volunteerism, and just that one last committee at school we promised to sit on during these tough times for our schools and kids.

All of these things don’t leave much time for 30 minutes each day at the gym, let alone the 1 to 1.5 hours needed in a gym to get the resistance and cardiovascular training that should result in the changes we seek. We all believe that even if we are going to the gym, we are pushing ourselves to the limits that we need to continually change our bodies’ reactions to the physical shock and load we are putting it under, therefore resulting in the optimal changes we say we want. The fact is that we don’t push ourselves in the ways we need to achieve our goals and that is why many or most of us eventually quit and realize “we don’t have the time” anymore and “my body is just not changing with all the work I am putting in.” The idea of hiring a personal trainer for most of us can be financially out of reach or logistically not possible, and in some cases, a bit intimidating. Sadly, for most of us, our health and well being, both physically and emotionally, are the last items on the list of what we need to get done in our lives. It is all too familiar to go day after day, week after week, month after month, until years have passed that we realize how much of ourselves we have lost.

The most effective way to reach your goals and start putting your health and wellness first, in a setting that will keep you focused, committed, always changing, and most importantly, engaged. We are a fully integrated fitness program conducted outside in the fresh air that is instructed only by highly qualified personal trainers with experience in all facets of physical conditioning. The training combines scientifically planned programming, including interval training, core stabilization, weight training, body weight exercises, and the use of bands, medicine balls, ropes, tires, and other tools that provide new and different ways to ensure your body doesn’t adapt to the movements. You will never have the same workout twice at boot camp.

The key to boot camp is to increase strength and endurance, lose unwanted body fat, increase cardiovascular capacity, improve your posture, slow down the aging process, and gain self confidence. It keeps you engaged every day by getting you out of the routine of going to a gym or not doing anything at all. We call it boot camp because we train in groups of people with a personal trainer engaged in making sure you get the push, attention and results you are seeking. Boot camp promotes better health, camaraderie, and a team effort. You will be pushed harder by your trainer than you would ever think of pushing yourself and your teammates will make sure of it! Everyone works harder at boot camp than they would on their own…and they have a whole lot more fun!

Carlos Payte owns and operates Novato Adventure Boot Camp. As a personal trainer for over a decade, Carlos has helped hundreds of men and women lean their bodies, raise their self confidence and have tons of fun through his fitness boot camp. Boot camps run every day in four-week intervals with one week off between each 4 week camp and last 60 minutes per day Monday through Friday. Be prepared to work hard, sweat, and do things you may have never thought were possible. All fitness levels are encouraged, supported, and kept safe and challenged in this unique environment. You will never be bored at boot camp! There are three available times per day to attend, which include 5:30 am and 9 am that are women-only camps and 6 pm which is a co-ed camp.

Novato Adventure Boot Camp offers everyone a one-week “no strings attached” free trial. We believe that everyone that tries our boot camp should be able to see it, smell it, and taste it before they invest in themselves. Go to www.BootCampNovato.com to register for your one week trial and start a new journey of fitness in your life.