Fat Loss Theory: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Bootcamps

If you have known me for a long time, you probably know how much I dislike group fitness classes such as bootcamps. Why? Here is what you typically get...

-A trainer who doesn't know how to coach movement
-A trainer who doesn't know how to program
-A trainer who doesn't know how to progress and regress exercises
-A bunch of clients who get injured or who need personal attention so they don't hurt themselves... but who don't get that attention because of factors 1 and 2
-A bunch of clients who do not get results

Now, if you have read my book, THE Theory of Fat Loss, then you know the following.

1) Individualization is king
2) Absolute (and not relative) intensity is the true determinant of how effective an exercise program will be.
3) If you aren't preventing injury and breaking through limits, you are wasting your time.

I never thought that you could run a group fitness class that was effective at addressing all these factors... that is... until recently...

You see, over the past year, I have gotten to know several of the top 5% of trainers in the industry (and for the love of God, I am not referring to Jillian Michaels). These are the people that do two things... 1) Get their clients excellent results; 2) Have massively successful businesses.

In fact, over the past 2 days, I was sitting in a room with several of these people at my first fitness business mastermind event in Louisville, KY. People you may not yet have heard of like Luka Hocevar, Kori and BJ Bliffert, Ryan Ketchum, Wil Fleming, Steve Krebs, Rob and Tyler English, Art McDermott, Vince Gabriele, and Kyle Harrod are absolutely dominating their local markets and putting all those less than stellar gyms out of business once and for all.

What is so different about their bootcamps that set them apart from everybody else? Why do essentially none of their clients get injured? Why do they have the highest referral rates of any gyms in the country? It's simple. They over deliver on results.

Here is a list of just a small sample of things they provide that nobody else is doing:

1. Personal assessments for each and every new client
2. Mandatory orientation for all new clients before they are allowed to ever step foot in class
3. Foam rolling, corrective stretching, and activation to start off each bootcamp session
4. Progressions and regressions of every single exercise in bootcamp so that all clients, regardless of skill or ability can participate safely and effectively
5. Nutritional consultation and grocery store tours for all members
6. Coaches who are dedicated to continuing education

Most importantly, however, they have all created a culture where success is the ONLY option. If you aren't getting results in one of their classes, they find out why (really, they do) and give you the tools you need to be successful... You might think that the monthly costs of these bootcamps would be outrageous. Honestly, they should be charging much much more for their services, but they aren't. They don't because they don't just want to make money from the rich. They want every person that walks through the door to be able to afford success.

Read that list again. Do you know anybody that is doing anything close to that? If not, you might want to re-evaluate your options...

So, I leave you with one question... use this to determine whether your group fitness class or bootcamp is going to be effective...

Are people getting results, or are they just getting tired?

Tell me about your experiences and let me know what you think... (and, if you are a fitness professional and want to explode your fitness business like these guys have, check this out: Fit Business Insider)