Alright!
Summer’s right around the corner – as Spring is now here…..woop woop!
Be prepared to see a lot of runners out now……the weather is getting better and it happens every year.
While I think running is generally not good for those looking to lose weight (due to the risk of injuries and increased wear and tear on joints) – I do think that people should be able to at least run a few minutes without stopping if they had to. We rarely use running at our bootcamps – and if so, its usually short bursts as I feel that this form of interval training is more efficient for fat loss than longer, low intensity runs.
I have shown before and after transformations of clients looking to change the way they look and feel, but Bootcamper Ben is more interested in getting stronger and improving his running times…….
Ben is fairly new to our bootcamp, but has recently lost weight, and fitness is now a regular part of his life.
Let’s just say that when Ben likes to challenge himself – he likes to push it and isn’t afraid of getting his hands……..or legs…… dirty…..
That’s Ben after his Hell Runner event.
Ben recently sent me a message on the Your Next Level Fitness Fan Page highlighting :
His energy expenditure is really high following his 8am bootcamp session….
“ It is amazing to compare days with exercise against days without. My day job flat lines activity and some days it hardly moves (sat behind a desk with my head buried in a document). The y axis is ‘Nike fuel points’ I need to do 3000 a day. 3000 according to nike is a good day. Bootcamp boosts my achievement a lot, and has a higher reward than running 3 to 4 miles. I find looking to see where I’m at after a day at work, makes me get off my lazy arse and move to try and get 2000 to 3000 points. “
This is an App that ben uses to track his energy burn….
(The spike around 3pm was his son’s birthday! Being a parent must be hard work! )
Also, has improved his training times…
Even to hitting 3Personal Best (PB) Times in 1 week!
So….. Why does it work?
Well, I would say that while weight training won’t dramatically improve running times by magic…….a session now and then will help as it will:
- Increase strength
Although running for 8 miles etc is not a strength event…….Bens legs are are now slightly stronger, and this can have a slight carry over….. in that the same mile may feel slightly easier.
- Weight training, when done properly should help reduce some niggling injuries and lessen any imbalances
(Also I might point out that simply running on grass may help reduce injuries)
- Simply training in a group
Let’s face facts – 99% of people train better together. It pushes them, makes the time fly, and can help overall mental toughness.
It’s not inconceivable that training alongside others that push you will make you improve by working harder.…….and also make you mentally tougher to push that little bit more when it gets harder when you are alone.
So although I have created bootcamp plans as a way of improving clients bodyshape …..which also tends to improve their strength also anaerobic fitness……. it turns out that it can also improve aerobic exercises too!
Well done Ben and keep up the good work!
John
PS Its mothers day soon – here are some ideas if you know your mama likes to look and feel good……