FAQs

Here are some of the questions that we get asked all the time.  If this doesn't answer your question, please email us and ask!  Thanks!

About Me

Here's a selection of the most usual questions asked.

    Q. I've not done exercise for 15 years. Is this really right for me?

If you can do one press-up and run 30 metres, you will be able to do join us at Army Boot Camp Fitness. 

Generally, we meet people with a wide variety of fitness which ranges from none to very fit.

That said, our primary aim is to improve your stamina and all round ability building confidence week by week.

We split people into different abilities, so you will always be training with people of your own level of fitness, so you won't get left behind.

Q. What do I need to bring?

Just you and anything you need.  Most people normally show up already changed and ready for action.

Q. I want to get fit but I don't have anyone to go with and all my friends are never around when I am because they're at work which puts me off.  What can I do?

This is perhaps one of the hardest catch 22 situations.  You won't go until your friends go but can't go because your friends aren't available to go.  It's a big ask to rock up to a park and meet complete strangers without having friends around.  We understand you. 

If you decide to come on your own, we will take extra special care to make sure you're partnered up rather than just running around on your own.  We really want you to enjoy coming to the park and we really want you to feel happy with us, so please, take the bull by the horns, head down to the park and we'll take care of you from there!

Q. I am overweight - can I really lose weight doing this?

In a nutshell, yes you can, but as part of a balanced lifestyle.  You can't lose weight if you go training once a week and then eat high salt, high fat, high sugar processed food.  Losing weight is about great training and proper balanced nutrition.  Changing your fitness is a lot about changing you.

Q. I smoke 20 a day - can I join anyway?

Of course.  You will find it more difficult than non smokers of course.  You can try giving up smoking by reading this book which helped the site author pack up.  You keep smoking as usual while you read the book - you mustn't change your habits and once you get to the end of the 100% guilt-free book, you're done.  Check the Amazon customer reviews too - five star!  Give it a try!

Q. Can I store valuables somewhere?

Yes, we put them in the instructors car and carry keys in the instructor's bergen.

Q. What if I get injured?

We aim to make certain you don't get injured while training, though this can happen.  If you feel something is wrong, stop immediately and talk to the instructor.

Q. How many classes do I need to do to get some effect?

We recommend twice a week to maintain your fitness and stamina.  Any increase on this will cause you to lose weight if you are on a diet.

Q. I'm doing this stuff three times a week but I'm gaining weight.  What's that all about?

If you are training at this rate then you will start to build up more muscle.  As muscle tissue is more dense than fatty tissue, your weight increases.  Nothing to worry about though, you will still find your trousers / skirt are bigger and you've dropped a size as your physical shape changes.

Q. What do I need to wear?

The best things to wear are loose comfortable clothing such as shorts and t shirts or jogging tops and bottoms depending on the weather.

Q. I'm going to freeze out there, I can't run around like that!

That's what you think!  The body soon warms up and starts to generate heat output.  You then find that you need to remove layers as you train.  Therefore, it's always best to start training with less clothes on and then when you finish, wrap up to preserve heat and slow heat loss.

Q. I've just done my first class and I'm aching all over! Why?

Your body will experience stiffness and possibly even some pain if you are starting Army Boot Camp Fitness for the first time after a prolonged absence from exercise.  It will disappear naturally after a few days.  The next time you do Army Boot Camp Fitness, you'll find the stiffness and aches reduce and reduce over the weeks until you don't get them!  That's because you are getting fitter and your body is able to cope with exercise!

Q. Does my bum look big in this?

No, there are no mirrors in Victoria Park or Wanstead Flats.

About the class

Q. How long does a class take?

Every class is 60 minutes long.

Q. How much does the class cost?

The full pricing scheme is available on the 'Join' section of the website at the bottom.  That's our regular rate card.  Check out the masthead of the site too for monthly offers and special bonus deals.

Q. Can I just turn up to any class I like or do I have to book in advance or something?

Sure.  There's no need to book anything in advance, just fill in our online application form and we'll it from there.  Check the 'Join' section for full information.

Q. If I pay for say two sessions a week, do I have to nominate which sessions I go to?

No.  You can come to whichever two sessions you like in whichever park you like.

Q. If I miss a session, can I take that session the following week?

If you've paid by block booked sessions, then it's up to you to use the sessions you've bought in the allotted time.  You can do a class every day if you like, so long as you do the classes within the timeframe of a valid sessional block booking. 

If you pay by subscription, say for one class a week, then if you miss that class in that week it can be carried over to the next week in the month.  You can carry over unused sessions from one month to the next but for one month only.  Thereafter, unused sessions remain unused.

In a typical example, say you pay for one session a week at a rate of £30 per month.  There are five weeks in the month.  You go on a nice holiday to the Bahamas at the start of the month for 2 weeks, missing 2 classes.  You can still do three classes in the remaining weeks and just  carry those two missed sessions into the next month.  If they are not used after that next month, they are not carried over any further.

Q. Is it OK to just pay £[insert rate for class here!] for each session rather than having to sign up right away after the first class?

Sure.  There's no point feeling like you're being dragged down to the park, so you come when you want to and pay session rates for as long or a little as you like, that's entirely up to you.  HOWEVER, After December 1st, 2006, you will only be able to pay for your sessions by buying a block booking or a regular subscription.  Check the 'Join' section for full information.

Q. Do I have to shell out for new trainers or??

You don't have to.  Just make sure you wear comfortable trainers that will absorb the impact of running and that you don't mind getting muddy and dirty.  You'll probably find that as you get into the classes, you'll go out and try to find better trainers.  Check out Run and Become in Victoria for really top customer service and proper shoe fitting.

Q. Will I get shouted at?

This must be question / fear number one for everyone who joins up Army Boot Camp Fitness.  The simple answer is no.  We don't shout at people because you are not in the army, so there's no need to shout.  The only reason we raise our voices is so we can be heard by everyone and that's the only reason ever!

Q. Do I need to bring water or drinks?

No, our instructors carry that in their bergens.

Q. What is a bergen?

A bergen is a type of rucksack used by the British Armed Forces. This name is most likely a bastardization of the trademark name Bergans, a Norwegian manufacturer of backpacks and outdoor equipment.

Q. Can you start a class in park [Enter name of park we don't do at the moment]?

We are always interested in starting new classes in new parks.  If you believe there is potential in your local park, let us know and we'll go check it out.  If the park can sustain 10 people or more, then we'll run it as a full-on park.

Q. Can I have a shower afterwards?

Err.. well yes, but probably at home as the parks don't ordinarily have public showers.

Q. I don't want to go because everybody's going to be fitter than me.  What else can I do?

Not true.  There are many people who join us who are unfit, but that's what were here to change, so come along, do a free class and then decide.

Q. No, seriously, you don't understand, I am really unfit, can I still join in?

Yes of course you can.  You probably have a crisis in confidence more that a crisis in fitness.  Come along, try it and if you freak out, you don't have to come back - we can't make you do it if you don't want to!

Bleep Testing / Fitness Tests

Q. What is the bleep test?

The full description of the test is here.

Q. Do I have to do the bleep test?

No, of course not. 

Q. I don't want my scores published, is that OK?

No problem.

Q. Why do you do testing anyway?

The bleep test is there to provide you with an empirical  benchmark that tells you a few key indicators..

• Whether you are getting fitter for the amount of training you are doing.

• How fit you are in absolute terms.

• How fit you are relative to the general population.

• How fit you are relative to other people in the class.

• How fit you are relative to classes in other parks.

The great thing about the test is that is an absolute measurement of your fitness and your body's ability to perform. From your level, you can calculate your VO₂ Max score.

Q. What is a VO₂ Max score?

From WikiPedia : "VO₂ Max is defined as the highest rate at which oxygen can be taken up and utilized during exercise by a person. (The derivation is V - volume per time, O₂ - oxygen, max - maximum). It is also called maximal oxygen consumption or maximal oxygen uptake. Expressed either as an absolute rate in litres of oxygen per minute (l/min) or as a relative rate in millilitres of oxygen per kilogram of bodyweight per minute (ml/kg/min), the latter expression is often used to compare the performance of endurance sports athletes."

The higher the VO₂ Max score, the fitter you are.

Q. What is the bleep test class like?

The running of the class is very similar to a regular class.  The class starts with an extended warm up and stretching followed by the test which takes about 15 minutes to complete.  Once finished, there's a cool down and stretch out before continuing with regular exercise, usually ground based exercises, so no running around.

Q. So the class is tougher as such than a normal class?

No, not really.  The word 'test' tends to put more people off than the actual exercise which is definitely lighter than a regular class.

Q. I don't want to do the bleep test because I hate being tested.  Can I do something else?

Why ever not?  Get two Weetabix with a squeeze of honey and fresh milk, give that an hour to go down and get out to the park.  Always test yourself because you'll never know where you're going to unless you know where you've come from.

Winter

Q. Do your training sessions run through the winter months?

Yes.  Classes are only cancelled if it's Christmas Day or if there's been a nuclear war in east London.

Q. During Winter, do you hold the class at the same time and the same location?

parks pages.

Q. What's an R.V. Point?

Rendez-Vous is a French term, commonly used in the English language to mean a meeting point. Meaning literally 'Meet-you', it is used extensively by armed forces in the English speaking world to indicate a meeting or rallying point.

Q. Do you have any recommendations for training in cold/wet conditions? Should I wear more layers, different trainers??

You can always bring a spare sweatshirt if you want to, but most of the time you won't need it unless it's bitterly cold because you warm up when you do physical exercise and we won't be keeping you hanging around either!

General

Q. Where can I get new trainers and stuff for running about in?

We don't endorse companies per se, but, Decathlon is a great all-round excellent value store for everything to do with clothing and shoes and so on.  We also love Run and Become down in Victoria which is a specialist store with staff that really know their onions.  If you're buying new trainers, start here, and what's more, they don't charge silly money for trainers either.