How many of you hate going to the gym because it’s too crowded, your intimated, or you don’t want to get stuck in a long term contract that you can’t get out of?? If you hate running on a treadmill like a hamster on a wheel, outdoor fitness boot camp might be for you. I know I would much rather be outside exercising and enjoying the beautiful New Orleans’ weather.  This is what outdoor fitness boot camps provide.

Fitness boot camps take fitness out of the gym and into our local parks and green spaces. At XLR8 Fitness Boot Camp we are outdoors jumping hurdles, running agility ladders, and meeting new friends who all have one purpose in mind; to get healthy.

A common misconception about boot camps comes from the words “BOOT CAMP”. People think “Am I going to get screamed at?” This is very far from the truth. There is no reason to be scared; you won’t find any screaming drill sergeants!!  You will find a support system with instructors who have an optimistic outlook that says, despite the odds and challenges of leading a healthy lifestyle, the future is promising. Some boot camps are for women only, but other boot camps, like our boot camp is designed for men and women of all fitness levels.

As a boot camp instructor/owner, most of the questions I get are from people who are new to fitness – they feel like they will hold the group back. The thing to know about boot camp is although it’s considered “group exercise” – the majority of boot camps are designed for you to be able to go at your own pace. Believe me, you can put your mind at ease, no one is watching or judging you…other people are worrying about their own ability to perform the best they can.  You do as many repetitions as you can within the amount of time, whether it be 3 or 30. Boot camp instructors are there to motivate you to do your personal best.

So I know you are wondering what types of things do we do in a  boot camp class. Each class is an hour in length. There are no two workouts that are the same.

Workouts include:

cardiovascular, muscular endurance, strength training with dumbbells and body bars. We also take campers through group challenges, partner resistance, medicine ball drills, agility hurdles and ladders, plyometrics and obstacle courses. Tons of repetitions will tone the muscles and the fast pace drills will keep your heart pumping.

RESULT = a serious workout and great calorie burner.

If you are looking for something that reaches Beyond the Gym to get motivated and inspired – you might really want to consider trying out one of the boot camps being offered around town.

When choosing a boot camp here are somethings to keep in mind:

1. Size: Be sure to ask about the size of your class.  If you are not comfortable in large groups and you want to ensure you get more personal attention, I recommend going with a boot camp that limits their class size. You can also check on instructor to student ratio.  It’s possible to have a larger group with multiple instructors.

2. Location: Most boot camps are early in the morning, you do need consider accessibility to where your boot camp class is being held.  A boot camp closer to home will be easier for you to get to…and the distance won’t be an excuse for you to not go.

3. Women or co-ed: Like I already alluded to, some boot camps are co-ed and some are for women only.  If you have a preference one way or the other – this will impact which boot camp you participate in.

4. Cost: Boot camps do vary in cost so ask around and find out what you’ll be getting for what you’ll be paying.

5. Duration: Some boot camps are 4 weeks long, some 6 weeks and some even longer…perhaps a shorter boot camp to try it out is better for you before making a bigger commitment or perhaps you already know you want to commit to losing weight in the next 6 weeks before a big event so you want a longer program.  Who knows! Just know you have options.

6. Read Reviews and Feedback: Do take the time to read reviews on third party sites like Be Fit NOLA to find out what others are saying about the boot camp(s) you are considering.

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Emily Eoffreceived her M.S., in Health and Exercise Science from Louisiana Tech University, as well as, her B.S. in Kinesiology and Health Promotion. She also holds her personal training and group fitness instructor certificates from some of the leading certification programs in the country. As a motivator, role model, and leader, Emily brings nine years of experience in the health and fitness industry to her XLR8 Fitness business.

Get a Be Fit NOLA t-shirt for writing a review!!  We’re not asking you to run, bike or swim…we’re simply asking you to share your opinion(s) and enlighten us and we’ll give you a t-shirt for it.

The post I wrote the other day “Be Careful When Talking About The Health of My City” in defense to what someone else had to say about our city is a prime reason why you should take the time write a review – people outside of New Orleans just don’t see it.  They don’t get all that our city has to offer for health and fitness.

Writing a review of your gym, yoga or pliates studio, boot camp, favorite park, running or cycling trail, personal trainer, health store, or best healthy meal in a local restaurant is your opportunity to unveil New Orleans’ hidden treasures.  We sweeten the pot by adding a t-shirt…not just any t-shirt.

Aaron is a little picky about the fit of his shirts – so to please him and ensure you love our shirts we ordered men and women’s Gildan Soft Style t-shirts from Purple Monkey. We’ll run this giveaway until we’ve received 50 reviews and given away 50 shirts.

Read this post as a refresher of what we’re looking for in a review. We ask that you make your reviews at least 100 words long. (We will post constructive criticism type reviews but nothing flat out rude, mean or inaccurate)

Don’t be shy either…tell your friends about it.  Let’s really open up about New Orleans’ Health and Fitness!!

When we started looking for who was who in the New Orleans Fitness scene, it became apparent that Jonas Deffes has done a lot to help people, particularly women, lead healthier lifestyles in New Orleans.  He is a NESTA (National Exercise and Sports Trainer Association) Certified Adventure Boot Camp Instructor/Owner and a Certified Personal Trainer.  He runs New Orleans Boot Camp.  Read all about Jonas and Nola Boot Camp in my interview with him.  Also, we invited Jonas to blog for Be Fit NOLA and he made us happy by accepting – do stay tune to read his insights in the New Year.

Q. How did you get your start in the fitness/boot camp industry?

Jonas Deffes: In 2003, I opened my first pain clinic in New Orleans to help people with chronic and acute pain from sports and fitness injuries. I quickly found out that people had a further need to get in shape after they were pain free.  However, my pain clinics were destroyed by hurricane Katrina; thus, I began my personal training business   www.NolaTrainer.com .  I quickly became the “go to” trainer in New Orleans for getting in shape quick.  Within 3 months of starting my Personal Training business, I found myself with my schedule maxed out with over 40 personal training clients but I wanted to help more people with my training and nutritional methods.  So, in early 2007, I began my New Orleans Boot Camp for women www.NolaBootCamp.com , which allowed me to train and help more people. Since then, I have become the fitness Boot Camp Authority in New Orleans, which has helped thousands of women in New Orleans, Metairie, and Mandeville .

Q. What is Nola Boot Camp?

Jonas Deffes: New Orleans Boot Camp is a four week New Orleans personal training program for women that offers fitness instruction, nutritional counseling and motivational training – packed with fun and energizing activities designed to help you reach your fitness goals. Whether you want to lose weight to fit into that special dress, shed the extra pounds from a pregnancy or just get fit before that special occasion, this is the program for you!

Q. How long have you been running Nola Boot Camp?

Jonas Deffes: Officially started in 2007 with one location in Uptown New Orleans. Now we have active 4 locations and more on the way!

Q. Where and when do you hold boot camp sessions?

Jonas Deffes: All of out boot camps are held at 5:30am-6:30am Monday – Friday.
Our four locations are throughout the city.

-Audubon Park in New Orleans

-Saint Dominic’s School and Church in Lake view

-John Curtis Christian School in Metairie

-Trail Head in Mandeville.

Q. What makes the boot camp program different from having a workout at the gym?

Jonas Deffes: The main difference is that our boot camps are done outside.  We focus on utilizing green spaces, which allows for a completely different environmental aspect when working out.  There is nothing more energizing then seeing the sun rise every morning. It seriously is the Best way to start the day.
Also, we also have a free private online community for each member to join which offers support and guidance throughout the program.  Each boot camper also gets a shirt and nutritional guide to help then turbo charge their results and experience.

Q. Will I enjoy myself?

Jonas Deffes: You most definitely will enjoy yourself! We strive to make each and every workout different, challenging, fun, and motivating for all ages and fitness levels. Also, we are the ONLY Boot Camp that has official Certified Boot Camp instructors in New Orleans, which insures that you are getting quality and value within our program. I guarantee that you will leave each workout with a huge smile on your face and feeling like a million bucks!

Q. What is the best success story from someone who joined Nola Boot Camp?

Jonas Deffes: I have had so many success story’s, my website is literally covered with amazing video testimonials. However, one that particularly stands out is a woman named Jill who started boot camp with literally a zero fitness level.

I remember her at boot camp evaluation; she had told me that she had a goal to climb Mount Kilimanjaro! Seeing that she was about 25 pounds over weight, I knew she had a Huge challenge ahead of her. However, within three months on our program she had stayed the course and lost over 25 pounds and inches everywhere, then went off and climbed Kilimanjaro!

She isn’t stopping there either her next goal is climbing 4 days up to Machu Picchu, and the following year a 25 day hike in Nepal to Mt. Everest base camp.

Q. Can I gift Nola Boot Camp to someone for Christmas?

Jonas Deffes: Yes, we have gift certificates available…the gift of health and fitness has to be one of the best stocking stuffers someone can get.

Q. What would you tell someone who is hesitating to try this out?

Jonas Deffes: In today’s age, I feel that Social proof that a program can deliver results is the most important deciding factor of someone on the fence.  I have Dozens of video success stories from women of all shapes, sizes, fitness levels, and ages displayed on my website http://www.NolaBootcamp.com proving over and over again that we have a unique system that works for everyone.