Best Body Bootcamp: A Review

I’ve been around the boot camp block a few times.

My first experience was with a boot camp at the gym I belonged to at the time. As new members, my mom and I got a discount on the 8-week program so we signed up. Her excited, me apprehensive. And while the workouts were intense and kicked my butt, the trainers were terrible. Between getting reprimanded for taking a too-long water break (which I swear wasn’t longer than a minute) to being told it didn’t matter if we came back because we’d already paid to being called out at the end of boot camp because I’d improved the least… well, let’s just say I didn’t have the best view of boot camp after that.

My next experience was a billion, trillion, zillion times better. My mom and I snatched up a Living Social deal for a boot camp run by former Tampa Bay Bucs running back, Michael Pittman. It was once a week for a little over an hour and it was a great experience. The workouts were intense but the trainers were so encouraging and helpful. There was no yelling, no screaming, no belittling. Unfortunately, a few months into the boot camp, Michael moved to California leaving the boot camp in the hands of the trainers. It just wasn’t the same after that and my mom and I stopped going.

My third boot camp experience was also a good one, and it helped me to see that most trainers are encouraging and helpful and supportive. They want to see you succeed. The first boot camp was an anomaly, and I wish I had reported their belittling ways now that I look back on it. I thought I was being too sensitive at the time.

So then one of my favorite healthy living bloggers, Tina Reale, started hosting an online boot camp. Three rounds went by and I kept telling myself I should join, but never had the guts to actually sign up. Finally, I decided what better way to start off the new year than by participating in round four of Best Body Bootcamp?

I am so, so glad I decided to bite the bullet and sign up! I plan on making these boot camp workouts a regular part of my fitness routine – as long as Tina continues to host them. First of all, I wish, wish, wish I could have Tina as an actual trainer because I’m sure she would be awesome to work with. She’d kick my butt, no doubt about it, but do it in a positive and encouraging way. 

Here’s the thing. It’s an 8-week program for $25. I challenge you to find a boot camp that offers a better deal than this! It’s really such a steal for all the work Tina puts into these boot camps. Every two weeks, Tina sends out an email that includes two weeks of planned workouts. This includes three boot camp workouts and suggested cardio, as well as a flexible training schedule to follow. Tina also suggests making two weekly goals related to health and fitness. And she’s always around for help and guidance, should you need it. To further enhance your workout experience, make sure to invest in comfortable and supportive leggings.

If you’re still hesitant about signing up for an online boot camp, I’m going to give you five reasons why you should join in.

1. The workouts change every two weeks. You’ll never be bored by working out again!

The one thing I need in a fitness program is change. I get bored easily, which causes me to skip workouts. The best part of BBB is the fact that every other week, Tina sends out a new workout program. They get progressively harder as the weeks go by, and are all so different from each other. You’re not doing the same moves every week, or even the way the workouts are set up changes so it really challenges your body. Tina also links to Youtube videos that show proper form for each move, and she’s always around to answer questions if you need it. Getting an email with new workouts was always like getting a little present. I loved seeing what she was going to come up with next!

2. Accountability, which can lead to some awesome prizes.

Accountability is key, especially for me. At the beginning of BBB, Tina sends every participant a Google Doc spreadsheet (shared between only you and Tina) to keep track of how many days we exercised, as well as how we did with our weekly goals each day. There are four ways to enter into the weekly cash drawings: marking off five days of exercise, completing five days of either of the two goals set previously, or sharing about the workouts either through blogging, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Some weeks, I would have 4 entries in to the drawing and some weeks, I would have none. It all depends on how much effort you put into your workouts and health goals.

There’s also a crazy awesome grand prize at the end that gives you all the motivation you need to get the workouts in and the goals completed.

Admittedly, I didn’t hit my goals or workouts every week but it only gives me more motivation to do better in Round 5 so I can get into the cash drawings more frequently! (And, um, lose weight/feel better, of course. Ha!)

There is also a Facebook group and Twitter chats to help you feel involved. I didn’t use either (I completely forgot about BOTH Twitter chats. Darn!) but I hope to be a more active participant in the next round.

3. There are modifications for all levels.

Whether you need more of a challenge, less of a challenge, or you’re at home without gym equipment to use, Tina’s got you covered. She includes a detailed modifications chart for each workout to help if needed. Consider the possibility of acquiring or utilizing second hand gym equipment if you’re in need. Since I do my workouts at home and only have two sets of free weights and an exercise ball, sometimes I need the modifications. And believe me, the at-home modifications are just as tough. I always ended every workout feeling sweaty and accomplished. (There were a few times I even collapsed on the floor at the end of the workout, hearing Bob Harper say in my head, “THAT was your Last Chance Workout.” Yes, they are that intense!)

4. This is a program designed for the user, not for the trainer.

There is so much flexibility within the program. Tina gives a weekly schedule that participants can follow, but it’s not a requirement to follow it to the tee. It’s up to you how you want your program to look. If you only want to do two days of workouts and three days of running – totally fine! The program is designed to fit into your life. You don’t have to change everything you’re doing to fit the program.

5. Tina puts her heart and soul into these boot camps, and it shows.

If you’ve ever read her blog, you know Tina is passionate about healthy living and fitness. She brings all that passion with her to BBB. She puts a lot of time and effort into these programs. And not just in creating the workouts, but all the administrative work that goes into hosting these boot camps. I think she had over 600 participants in this past boot camp, so you can imagine all the work that goes into making sure everyone is set up and ready to go, and then keeping up with everyone throughout the program. She’s passionate about these boot camps, and it’s hard not to get caught up in the excitement.

So what are you waiting for? Go sign up for Round 5! It’s just $25 until March 29th and I promise you will not regret signing up. It’s absolutely, 100% worth it.