We can choose to be critical of this exercise or that eating style, but in the end, I don’t believe that’s where the focus of this exercise should be.

As someone who trains deconditioned people to become runners and transform their lifestyles, I do focus more on the factors of “why” rather than “what”. It is true, that many of the exercises done in a boot camp style workout are meant primarily for trainer led sessions, because we’d rarely have the motivation to do suicides in a parking lot ourselves. So hopefully we can take away that by having a leader, coach, or just a friend, who will help us challenge ourselves…we can be more consistent and more intense in our workouts.

It really doesn’t matter if you’re doing suicides, or doing jumping jacks, the key is that you do them consistently and with some level of intensity.

I think it’s human nature when we are on an extreme plan of eating and exercise, that we will require a “break” where we relax our controls…and indulge – that’s ok! The trick is finding the “why” that keeps us as consistent as possible…because that is truly the challenge most of us face (IMO). Hopefully the lessons will be clear in our upcoming film! So as long as we don’t “relapse” for too long, it is all part of the journey!

I’m sure we could all agree that consistent cardio and resistance training are keys to any balanced exercise program…looks like the FitCampers did plenty of both, and I’m sure they’ve taken away some good ideas, even if they don’t ever do some of those exercises again.

Good luck everyone!!!

I haven’t stopped exercising since I’ve been home. And if FitCamp is what it took to get me remotivated to do this again, then it was all worth it. Even those crazy parking lot suicides!

–Jimmy

At the beginning of the study, the runners ran an average of about four hours a week. After 21 years, their running time declined to an average of 76 minutes per week, but they were still seeing health benefits from running.

On average both groups in the study became more disabled after 21 years of aging, but for runners the onset of disability started later.

“Runners’ initial disability was 16 years later than nonrunners,’” Fries said. “By and large, the runners have stayed healthy.”

Not only did running delay disability, but the gap between runners’ and nonrunners’ abilities got bigger with time.

“We did not expect this,” Fries said, noting that the increasing gap between the groups has been apparent for several years now. “The health benefits of exercise are greater than we thought.”"

The cardiovascular health I define as characterized the low heart rate (48bpm) and dramatic improvements in blood pressure. I never saw the similar sort of improvements while just weight training. Like I said, I’ll be the first to admit I might not have been doing right strength training 4 days a week alternating major muscle groups. My ability to play 60 minutes straight of full court basketball or running never was there until I did cardio extended.

Now you say you could run 5 miles without problem — is it at the same speed you used to? Covering the distance and covering the distance in a speed are two different things. I might be able to run after 5 months of no running, but run at 7:00 pace would be out of the question. I see it already when I don’t run hard for weeks that returning to old performance levels is all that more difficult.

you only need marathon level cardio if you intend to run marathons. running strengthens various parts of the muscles – primarily the fibers that are required for repetitive use (I forget which kind that is?). Proper strength training works those fibers as well as all of the other fibers in the muscle.
the “cardiovascular health” you feel has nothing to do with improvements in your heart or lungs, they actually dont change at all. When you pile on the cardio, all you are doing is building some limited muscle strength. I know this is controversial, and I didnt believe it when I first came across this notion, but I’ve tested it on myself and it holds up. For example, a few months ago, I got on a treadmill and ran five miles with ease. I haven’t done a bit a cardio in more than a year, but I was able to pop off that distance without any trouble.

Personally, I am the fittest I’ve even been in my life, and I used to do short triathlons, 10k’s, etc. All I do now is strength train slow burn style twice a week. I also walk our dog about an hour or so most days.

It is these new lessons that I hope will bring her and all Fitcampers permanent results. I did have to cringe at the post Fitcamp party at the food selection as they rebelled at what they had just learned to return to old comfort foods.

As for exercise only needing to be strength training, I would ask for what purpose. To maintain weight sure I can go along with that, but if the question is how do I become the most fit person I can be, strength or resistance training will only take you so far. As one who does massive amounts of cardio in my marathon training (as exhibited by 3 hour weekend long runs) or 5 hours of intraweek training on top of core and strength workouts, I can appreciate that one does not necessarily lead to the other.

Cardio does not build muscles the same way lunges or leg presses will. But neither will lunges, or doing leg presses improve one’s cardiovascular health in the same way doing aerobic activity for a sustained period time will. If you want to be all that you can be, you need a balanced program, which I am the first to admit I fail at sometimes.