Boot Camp Training

Cosmopolitan Magazine

Words: BRONWYN McCAHON

Think Demi Moore in the movie GI Jane. Boot Camp is designed to whip you into shape fast, but we warned you: it's tough, so you need to be committed. This military-style workout involves constantly changing activities to work every muscle group.

Celebrity Boot Camp recruits include J.Lo, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Angelina Jolie, who enrolled for three months before the first Lara Croft: Tomb Raider movie. James Brabon, who founded the training method here in Oz, runs programs on Sydney's Eastern Beaches through the Original Bootcamp. "Each week Recruits are pushed through grueling exercises including sit-ups, push-ups, pack-marches and obstacle courses, and they're required to carry sandbags and ammunition boxes filled with sand." He adds that "Once they've completed the initial Basic Training phase they are invited to attend 'Hell Week'  five days of intensive training."

So why put yourself through it? "It builds confidence and self-discipline, and instills a sense of empowerment." Says Brabon

You'll see fat loss, increased cardio-vascular fitness, improved muscle tone, muscular endurance and strength. A number of Brabon's recruits explained that they had lost up to five kilograms of fat in the first two weeks!