What inspires you to move, to strap on your sneakers, and to pound the pavement to shed your unwanted pounds? The answer may be right in your hand. Yes, your smartphone. It sounds crazy, but social media may be what you need to get to boot camp this year.
Why Social Media Improves Success at Boot Camp
If you think social media can’t improve your fitness, you need to rethink the plethora of apps on your phone. Social media can improve your success at boot camp. Heck, it can get you to the gym in the first place. Here are a few reasons how social media can improve your boot camp success.
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You can find the best boot camp
If you type “boot camp” into your search engine, a long list will suddenly appear. That is the nature of the world we live in. You don’t have to wait or spend obscene amounts of time searching for information that should be easily accessible. Yes, we can complain about instant gratification, or we can embrace it and understand it. It’s not going anywhere.
Social media provides users with the ability to look at all nearby boot camps, their social media pages, their prices, and their hours. This is helpful for anyone with a busy schedule
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Everyone wants to tell you the good and the bad
Not only do you receive information about the boot camp itself, but you have unfiltered access to online reviews, concerns, and comments about the boot camp. Anyone who has ever attended the boot camps you are researching is willing to provide the public with their experiences. You can discover what others just like you have to say about the gym or boot camps near you. It is better to know what you are in for before shelling out the cash for a program you will eventually resent or avoid altogether. Remember to read the reviews, are they long, thoughtful reviews or just a 5 star review with no reasoning? Are they 1 star reviews because they didn’t have the time the reviewer wanted, look closely.
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You can avoid embarrassment
You don’t have to end up a “boot camp fails” list. To improve your technique, understanding of workouts, and expectations for the camp, you can go online and find information and videos. There are plenty of how-to posts to aid you in a successful first day. In fact, many boot camp facilitates have their own blogs and videos to help you tackle the challenges of the program.
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Camaraderie exists online
This is one of the biggest benefits of social media and fitness. When you share online with your friends and family members, who live nearby or miles away, you get support and encouragement. Many times your hard work and progress will inspire others to follow in your footsteps.
I am well aware of the vulnerability of posting online, but as long as you keep your social circle limited to those whom you trust, you don’t have to worry as much about trolls.
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You don’t have to work out alone
Many are attracted to boot camp because it allows you to get fit, have fun, and workout with others. When you work out alone, it is hard to stay motivated and to push through, but when you do boot camp, you don’t have to. If you connect with your fellow boot-campers online, all of you can share your experiences and photos, you can find new workout buddies and challenge them online, and you can invite others within your social media circles to join you for the next workout.
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You can scope-out the coaches before you arrive
This is a big one. Have you ever felt intimidated at boot camp or like you just didn’t fit in because you didn’t jive well with the coach? Now you don’t have to suffer through it any longer. Social media gives you the opportunity to get-to-know the coach without standing in front of them, you can look at videos, and you can see what others have to say about the trainer’s philosophy and coaching style.
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Tracking your results is easier
Social media has made it easier to track your habits, your goals, your workouts, and much more. The industry is not short on apps, devices and services that provide users with the ability to see real-time progress of their workout. As you track your progress and goals, you can share them online to show everyone how you have progressed through the boot camp program.
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Resources are at your fingertips
Everything you need to know about boot camp can be found online. All you have to do is show up and experience it yourself. Social media provides you with drill information, nutrition tips, stretching, advice, and much more. You can find personal testimonials, professional advice, and even resources written be the boot camp instructors themselves.
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Score a deal
I saved the best for last: you can win things and save some serious cash. Social media is the best place to score a deal on boot camps. Many times, boot camps will post exclusive specials and deals that are not available to the public. Some gyms also host special events, parties, and giveaways for followers and the ones they invite. It pays to follow boot camp gyms online. Just remember, a personal referral is likely a better fit than a cheap discount online.
Don’t go to boot camp unprepared; use social media to find boot camp inspiration and success. Get online to find the best camp, to share your progress, and to achieve your fitness goals.
To get started, visit Yelp and search for a boot camp in your area. Next, give them a call or go online. Set-up a tour of the facility first. You will learn a lot about a company based on the way they treat you on the phone and welcome you into their gym before you ever sign a paper. Take a friend or loved one with you to meet the coaches, to ask as many questions as you can think of, and to get to know the gym. On day one, wear loose clothing and comfortable shoes, pack a water bottle, and get ready to have a one-of-a-kind fitness adventure.
Before you start any new fitness plan, talk to your physician.
