To exercise is always better than to not exercise correct?. I am mean any form of movement will be better than the option…right?. The obvious answer here is yes, but unfortunately what seems obvious is not always right. Here is why:

Exercise is a double edge sword and must be treated carefully, our bodies are design to move but as we get older and due to the nature of our lifestyle (sitting for long periods of time, taking escalators and elevators instead of stairs, sitting in traffic, etc) we tend to lose our ability to produce movement in a balance manner. Before we begin exercising we must first asses the things that we can do and the things that will hurt us. The brain will try to reproduce the action we ask for but since there is a lack of activation on certain key muscles something as simply as a squat ends up putting too much stress on the knee joint. Now add 20, 30, 40 , 50 squats as fast as you can to keep up with group and you have a recipe for a knee injury…or back, hip and ankle.
A similar situation comes for running. Not every adult should run, at least for long periods of time. We must be healthy and have a good degree of muscle balance to be able to run long distances. if you don’t believe me ask any podiatrist or physical therapist how many running injuries they see a week.
Now, I am an advocate of exercise on all dimensions and fully aware that different programs and activities work for different people but the truth is that we can fit and healthy at the same time. The problem I have with bootcamps is that they often concentrate in short term results without considering the effects that high intensity poorly supervised exercise can do to the unprepared body. Also believe me when I say this, as a Corrective Exercise Specialist I can attest that most people that begin an exercise program have sufficient issues to be addressed before putting them to do the workouts common in 90% of bootcamps.
Here is a checklist that will help you decide whether your bootcamp is run by true professionals:

-There is an individual assessment of each client before the training starts.
-Exercises are modified to ensure at-risk clients won’t get injured.
-Mechanics are an essential component of the class.
-You work hard but not to the point of compromising injury by doing tests such as: how many squats can you do in minute!?…
-There is a dynamic warm up preceding the workout and a cool down period after.
-Individuals are encourage to work hard but not beyond what they are capable of doing. Go to edge of your capacity but run over it!
-Emphasis is put on the fact that results can be number based but the most important component of any exercise program is to establish physical culture and physical intelligence. It is a hell of a lot easier to run someone to the ground and make him or her loose 20 pounds in 6 weeks than to train someone from the ground up and help that person become as fit and healthy as genetically possible.

Have a great summer and do enjoy the outdoors, as much as you can!

Luis