Introduction

The military has a reputation of being one of the most physically gruelling professions in the world. And it is true, whether you are on the field or in the barracks, you need to be prepared for physically and mentally demanding tasks all day long. That is why, if you are serious about serving your country, you need to get in shape – there are no two ways about it.

To be successful, however, takes a multitude of physical and mental abilities. While it is great to be extremely strong, having endurance, agility and balance are just as important. It is not about who can lift the most weight, but rather being able to perform various tasks while under a great deal of (combat and non-combat orientated) stress.

This is where gym training and bootcamp-style workouts come into play. While boot camps generally focus on high-intensity interval training and exercises that simulate real-life movements, gym training enables you to focus more on building strength and muscle mass.

With this in mind, let us delve deeper into why gym training and boot camp style workouts can be important for military success.

You Will Get Stronger

If you want to be on the field, you should have a foundation of strength. Whether you re in the Army, Air Force or Navy, having stronger muscles is essential for combat readiness and success in physical training tests and real-world environments.

If, for example, your comrade is injured, you should be able to carry them off the field without any issues. This means not only having functional strength to lift up the casualty but also the endurance to move move them to a place of safety and treatment. In other words, while you may be affluent with cardio training, you will need to spend some time in the gym building your strength.

Bootcamp training and weightlifting in the gym will help you create raw and functional strength. By focusing on multi-joint movements or compound lifts, you will gain strength all across your body. You will then be able to generate power from the feet up to the hands, performing strenuous tasks i.e., carrying heavy loads from the floor that would otherwise be difficult or possibly eves impossible.

If you want to quickly develop strength, joining a gym should be your first priority. Just ensure you compare local gyms first and make sure that they can offer you the appropriate training.

You Will Improve Your Resistance to Injury

Whether you are engaging in military training or simply carrying out day-to-day tasks while in service, there will be physical stress placed upon your body. Stress, fatigue and dehydration can be commonplace on the field, making you more prone to injury.

That is why you need to develop your muscular and cardiovascular endurance, as well as flexibility, which is where gym training and boot camps come in. Boot camps are designed to provide a full body workout, building your muscles and strength, which can protect your joints and bones, as well as your cardiovascular endurance.

Gyms also are great for increasing muscular and cardiovascular strength, by giving you access to a variety of different machines and exercises. Just be sure not to injure yourself at the gym by pushing too hard, and make sure to use proper form to protect yourself from injury.

You Will Be More Mentally Prepared

Bootcamps are deliberately tough, testing your resolve as well as your physical attributes. Similarly with gym workouts – provided you are training intensely – you will be building up your mental toughness.

The more challenging the physical activity, the stronger your mental game is likely to become. As you become better at pushing through physical and mental fatigue, you will be able to manage stress more effectively on the battlefield (and, by extension, other parts of your life).

Of course, mental fortitude is not something you can develop overnight. You will need to put in the hard work over a period of time. However, with dedication and consistency, you will become more mentally tougher than ever.

They Both Teach Discipline

Gyms and Bootcamps are great for meeting new people, but you are not there to play. Quite the opposite, in fact. You will be there to work hard, and stay focused on your goals regardless of the surrounding environment.

This kind of discipline cannot be taught, it has to be acquired through hard work, dedication and consistency. Both gym training and boot camps will help you to develop these qualities as a part of your routine. If you ever wish to attain your goals – i.e. improve your body composition or get stronger – you will need to be disciplined and put in the hard work to get there.

You Will Improve Your Agility, Coordination and Balance

Bootcamp workouts are especially useful for improving your agility, coordination and balance. This is because they typically feature explosive exercises that require you to move from one point to the other in seconds. These multi-directional movements i.e. running, jumping and crawling one after the other will enhance your ability to react quickly and maintain your balance.

If the battlefield is full of uneven surfaces, you must move quickly and with surefootedness. This is especially true if you are under fire, and need to run for cover and fight back simultaneously. If you lack any of these skills, then you will be at a disadvantage even before the fighting starts.

Gym training is also useful for this purpose, because there are multiple machines and exercise movements which force your body to become used to quick, multi-directional movements. For example, compound movements can actually increase dynamic balance and movement skills.

They Both Help Cut Out Bad Habits

It is worth emphasizing that gym training and boot camps can help remove bad habits. These could include smoking, drinking, eating unhealthy foods etc. When investing in your physical preparedness, this should always be your first step.

By training yourself the right way in the gym and boot camp, you will be setting new standards for what you are. You will hold yourself to a higher standard and teach self-accountability, which can help you to break any bad habits. As you continue to train your body and mind, you will (hopefully) rid yourself of the old patterns that held you back in the past.

Summary

Bootcamp and gym training workouts are both great for military preparedness. They both help to develop physical strength, endurance and mental fortitude – qualities that are essential for success on the field.

If you are serious about improving your physical and mental preparedness, then sign up for a bootcamp or gym programme today. You won’t regret it!