Frequently Asked Questions

What are boot camps?
Boot camps are 45 minute circuit training sessions that work the whole body and cater for all ages and abilities. Get Fit Boot Camps last for 4 weeks and can comprise of exercises that use your own body weight, equipment or park apparatus in order to train certain muscle groups, for example sit-ups, squats, lunges, press-ups, boxing, kettlebells, short sprints, bench dips, skipping…

What are the benefits of attending boot camp?
From attending boot camp either once, twice or three times a week for a month you can increase your overall health and fitness in one month. A shortlist of the benefits are weight loss, fat loss, body toning, improved energy levels, increased speed, stamina and strength to name just a few.

What’s the difference between boot camp and having a workout at the local gym?
Most people go to the gym for 60 minutes but only actually exercise for 30-40 minutes. Queuing for and wiping down equipment, playing around with iPods or individual TV sets, performing a set of isolated repetitions on a resistance machine before having a 1-2 minute break or struggling to find some room to do stomach, lower back work or stretches on a mat take up the majority time of a gym workout. Boot Camps are fun and focused 45 minute circuit training sessions but the main goal is to have a good beneficial workout. I will make sure that the sessions are diverse and challenging enough to keep you exercising for 40-45 minutes so that you can achieve maximum results.

How many people will take part in the boot camps?
Boot camps are group based circuit training sessions. Depending on members being on holiday / away with work etc will dictate the numbers but I will keep the group sizes small (maximum 18 people) so that everyone receives expert motivation and guidance.

What’s the difference between group exercise and one to one Personal Training?
Being honest I must say that one to one personal training is obviously more client focused and can cater for people on a more individualised basis. Some people prefer this for different reasons but the great thing about group exercise is that there are more personalities involved which leads to a fun and challenging environment which can help the group members to push themselves and achieve the results they are looking for.

I’m not very fit at the moment, how will I find the sessions?
The great thing about boot camp is that everyone works to their own ability and there are different difficulty levels of all the exercises to cater for all people no matter how unfit they are. New members might be nervous for the first session but I’ll be there to correct your technique if needed and motivate you along the way. I’m sure you’ll soon find that you are good at some exercises and can work to improve the exercises that you find hard at first.

I would say that I’m very fit at the moment, will I get fitter from these sessions?
Yes. It’s been proven that people work harder and longer when they are exercising in a group or being trained one to one when compared to training by themselves. That’s why all the top athletes and sports people in the world have coaches and training teams to maximise their training and results. If you put 100% effort in during the sessions and push yourself as hard as you can your fitness should improve or at least be maintained at that high level.

How much weight and fat will I lose?
The answer to this question depends on how disciplined you can be over the 4 week period. Exercise is great for burning calories, losing weight and fat but only if you have a sensible lifestyle. There’s no point training 1 or 2 times a day all week long if you spend the rest of the time smoking, drinking too much alcohol and eating unhealthy meals and snacks. Upon registering for boot camp I will e-mail you my ‘Everything in Moderation’ advice guide with lifestyle tips ranging from getting enough sleep to eating healthily. If followed correctly and combined with boot camps you should soon feel fitter and notice some weight loss and a loser fit in your clothes.

Boot camps last for 45 minutes, is that long enough for me to achieve my goals?
Yes. Your body and mind can work pretty much non stop without getting bored for 45 minutes and the key is to work at a high intensity over a shorter period of time rather then a long duration at low intensity. If you exercise your whole body for 45 minutes and increase your body temperature, circulation, heart rate, lung and muscle function then that will increase your metabolism and burn calories during and after the session helping you to achieve your goals.

Will it be anything like a military boot camp such as in films like ‘GI Jane’, ‘Jarhead’, Full Metal Jacket’ etc?
No. Shouting, pressurising and chasing recruits around is beneficial in the armed forces as they need to be able to operate under extreme pressure and fatigue levels. With my sports science background I have always adopted the ‘good cop’ approach. Also in my role as a physical training instructor in the Royal Marines Reserve I achieved my aims by being fair and by encouraging people to exercise to the best of their abilities. The only thing that will get muddy is the soles of your trainers.

What if it rains during the outdoor boot camps?
The sessions will still take place even if it is raining. If the forecast is ‘iffy’ then bring a baseball gap or light thin waterproof / water resistant jacket to keep you drier. It’s good to exercise in the rain as your body burns more calories trying to evaporate the water that is on your skin. You'll soon be warm after just 5 minutes and be amazed that you'll be wanting to take off layers!

What if it’s dark during the early winter morning and evening sessions?
My boot camp sessions like many others run all year round. Some other boot camps take place in the middle of a dark park, but I run mine near to the car park so there is lots of light from the car park lights. It’s beneficial to keep training all year round so you don’t lose the fitness that you acquired during the summer months.

What if I have an injury or take medication, can I still take part in the sessions?
If you have any queries regarding an injury you have or any medication you are currently taking them please contact me and I will advise whether it is suitable for you to take part or not. Upon registering for boot camp I will e-mail you a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR Q) which will highlight any health problems you might have or a if there is a need to visit your doctor before starting.

Will I be sore sometimes from taking part in the sessions?
If you haven’t exercised for a while or haven’t done any circuit training type exercise before then you might be a little bit sore after the workout. Some people feel the soreness 24 hrs, 48 hrs or 72 hrs after the workout. It’s known as Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness (DOMs) and is the sign of a good workout but shouldn’t be unbearably painful. After doing a few boot camps your body will become more used to the exercises and the soreness will become less and less as you become fitter.

Will the sessions ever be cancelled?
Sessions will only be cancelled in extraordinary circumstances, such as extreme weather conditions like the foot of snow that fell and laid in Surrey in February 2009 and that made the roads un-driveable. During the snow that fell in Surrey in January 2011 I still ran the boot camps as the roads were fine to drive on and the members who turned up said they had fun training in the snow. For any sessions that cannot take place on the arranged date then another suitable date will be added onto the end of the 4 weeks to make sure you receive all of your pre-paid sessions.

Does Boot Camp ever end?
No, I will run the boot camps back to back so after your 4th week of boot camp you could then sign up for the following 4 weeks as long as there are spaces still available. If you are mid way through the 4 weeks and you are enjoying the training and seeing and feeling the benefits you can book early for the next 4 weeks and I will give you priority. For the few days that I have off work to go on holiday I have two excellent fully qualified and insured personal trainers called Alex and Stuart who cover the sessions for me.

A boot camp 4 week period has already started, can I still join?
Yes you can. Dates are on my 'Current Boot Camps' Page. After your free trial session I'll e-mail you joining instructions which has a pro-rata rate that you can pay to take you up to the end of the current 4 week period and inline with the other members.

What happens if I have to miss a session that I have paid for?
Unfortunately there are no refunds for sessions that you miss. I have financial commitments to the running and marketing of my business and also for any hall or park that I hire. Spaces are limited for the boot camps and it’s impossible to fill them at short notice. I will not chase you to attend but it is in your best interest to try to participate in all of the boot camps for the 4 week period to help you achieve your goals. You can mix and match any 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 sessions over the 4 week period so if you have to miss your regular boot camp then you could attend a session at one of the other locations.

How do I secure my place?
Please use my contact details on the ‘Contact Me’ link on the left to let me know which boot camp you are interested in, I will then e-mail you my Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR Q) for you to print out and fill in to hand to me before the start of your free trial session (I'll have some copies with me if you don't have access to a printer or e-mail).

What happens when I sign up and how do I pay?
When you sign up I will e-mail you my ‘Everything in Moderation’ lifestyle guide, a diet diary to complete (which is a good way to monitor what you are eating). Payment can be made via cash, cheque, direct bank transfer or PayPal (please note an additional 3.5% will be charged if paying via PayPal) and must be made before the first session. I will e-mail a receipt to you if requested.

Can I pay per session / every time I turn up?
No, sorry. The closest thing to 'Pay As You Go' I offer is buying a block of 'anytime' sessions. In order to achieve commitment and helping you to get into a regular exercise routine I recommend paying for a certain amount of sessions in a 4 week period. By paying in advance for a 4 week period you are more likely to turn up which will help you achieve the results you want. The more sessions you attend the cheaper it is and the faster your health and fitness will improve. If you cannot commit to at least 4 sessions over a 4 week period then you could purchase a block of 'anytime' sessions. The block of 'anytime' sessions need to be paid for in advance then you can attend them at anytime you want over a 6 month period from your first paid session.

What do I need to bring and wear?
Good supportive comfortable trainers with a thick sole. Shorts, t-shirt, tracksuit, sweatshirt, running clothes etc. Try to wear a couple of thin layers rather then one thick layer as it’s easier to remove a layer if you get too hot. Gym training gloves might be a good idea as you will be doing some exercises on the floor, benches etc. An old towel to wipe yourself down or lay on for stretches / sit-ups (or a cheap yoga mat or exercise mat). Plenty of water for before, during and after the session. If it’s cold then you might want to bring some warm gloves and a hat, if it’s hot and sunny then you might want to apply some water resistant sunscreen. Please avoid bringing valuables with you, as I cannot be held responsible for any losses.