What is a boot camp?
We organize boot camps for beginners to advanced athletes from one week to several ones.
We can plan a camp if you want to get back in shape, lose weight or just improve your general physical condition for your preferred sport.
Very often, we are being asked many questions like : What is a boot camp? How does a boot camp go ? etc… An article on that matter seemed then necessary.
So, first thing first: what is a boot camp?
DEFINITION :
A boot camp is a type of training that consists of many workouts, more or less intense and often outside. A camp can last several days, weeks or months.
Originally, this expression came from the American army, specifically the Marines. It became popular for the fitness world and in sport in general.
Indeed, during this period of time, one is fully immersed and focus on his/her goal: it allows to have quicker results.
Although we may do boot camps close to your home, we decided to share one of our experience done in a more exotic land, in Asia and more precisely in Vietnam. We hope that the article will give you a better idea on what can be done during a boot camp.
Keep in mind however that we decided to recap a boot camp done for athletes who were into athletics but obviously we will adapt to your level, your preferred sport and your goals.
BOOT CAMP EXPERIENCE IN NHA TRANG, VIETNAM
The group being made of athletes already used to train regularly and year round, the idea was for them to train some more so that they may improve and perform in their sport and discipline of choice.
We then had to schedule a certain number of workouts that would be enough to reach this performance goal. This did work on their results during their season later on.
Priorities to start with given by the participants :
Work physically and technically to perform in competition
Be careful to some pre-existing injuries
Do 16 workouts in 10 days
Comfortable and affordable lodging
Breakfast included
Travel plan :
Arrival in Ho Chi Minh day 1 and 2 to recover from the trip for two days and get accustomed to time difference
Ho Chi Minh ——> Nha Trang during the night from day 2 to 3
Nha Trang for 10 days
Back to Ho Chi Minh during the night
1 day in Ho Chi Minh before the trip back
Lodging :
Ho Chi Minh Large private apartment in marble, shared by all boot camp’s participants with rooms for two persons and an outdoor swimming pool.
Nha Trang 5 star hotel near the beach with a swimming pool and a gym.
Training spots:
Sports complex with a track and grass
Hotel swimming pool
Hotel gym
Beach
Food :
All-you-can-eat continental breakfast planned including fruits, Vietnamese and European specialities.
Shopping center nearby, 5min walking distance from the hotel where a supermarket was available for beverages. There was also a whole floor dedicated to restaurants with a large selection of healthy food.
Daily market selling fruits.
One of the restaurants from the food floor
Stall in a local market
Final Budget all included : 1 130$ (US) / person so 1 000€ (plane ticket included but without leisure activities on site).
BOOT CAMP EXPERIENCE IN NHA TRANG, VIETNAM
We landed in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s biggest city, to recover for two days and get used to the time difference. This dedicated time to recovery also allowed to get used to local food and to visit iconic sites from the city.
After 2 days, we took the direction to our final destination: Nha Trang! We chose to travel at night to be able to rest and slowly start to train on the 3rd day.
As soon as we arrived we settled in a sumptuous 5 star hotel. We then got ready for our first training, an active recovery one.
NB : An active recovery workout, or even day, is often used to eliminate toxins created from a previous harder workout, a contest or simply a long travel. Basically, it is a gentle workout that allows the body to recover for future harder training.
From that day, training sessions switched between several type of workouts :
General strengthening
Specific strengthening according to needs
Training toward discipline of choices where participants wanted to improve
And cardio
The goal is to have a workout load significant enough to gain better and faster results without fatigue taking over.
Active recovery session
Hotel check-in for the group
Workout on the track
As we were in a hot and humid country, training hours had to be scheduled during times of the day where the temperature would it be at its coolest, so early morning and end of the afternoon. This also allowed to be able to enjoy the day time.
Leisure activities, during the day, are free. Participants can then use this time to visit the city, rest or enjoy the beach or the hotel swimming pool.
Nha Trang beach, privatized part by the hotel
Hotel swimming pool
Bowling night
To free the minds a little bit and have the body recover from so many trainings, 2 complete days were planned with every one agreements for tourist attractions that required more visiting time.
One of the complete rest day was dedicated to visit a theme park island.
The other day was filled with visiting nearby islands by boat and snorkeling in the transparent blue water of this part of the China sea.
You can find more details on what you can do in Nha Trang and these two visits in our article about the 5 things to do in Nha Trang.
At the end of the 10 days, we returned to Ho Chi Minh, always by night, so we didn’t miss any day time. We were then able to enjoy a complete day in the old Saigon to appreciate the town before each one went back home.
It was a great boot camp where everybody’s goals were reached: everyone left in better shape, performing better and with many lifelong memories. This is among the reasons why we love to plan this type of event for you!
Our boot camps are for all levels and we can go wherever you would like if the local situation allows. Interested? Contact us by clicking on the below button to know more ;)