Strongman and Bootcamp Training – Exercise Out Of The Gym!

Strongman and Bootcamp Training – Exercise Out Of The Gym!

I often encourage you to get out of the gym and exercise your creativity when it comes to your training. Whilst I love the gym, there is a lot to be said for getting outdoors or away from the confinement of the weights room and trying new things. As a personal trainer in Stockport I benefit from plenty of good quality gyms, but also some fantastic countryside a few minutes down the road!

I like to explore other avenues for exercise – this way you can use exercises that you wouldn’t have the room or kit for in the gym. One of the most successful approaches I have developed is strongman and bootcamp training – taking strongman and bootcamp training principles of high intensity, short rest, unpredictable training environments etc and using them to push both myself and my clients in ways we are not used to.

The following exercises are inspired by a strongman and bootcamp training approach and are suitable for both, but they also offer some incredible functional and conditioning benefits.

With a great core conditioning and functional movement action, these exercises are a brilliant addition to an all-round training programme.

The Farmers Walk

Promoting grip, core, back and leg strength, the farmers walk is fantastic. Obviously the more weight you use, the tougher it is but it is a self-limiting exercise in the sense that when the weights are too heavy you simply can’t lift them anymore, making form easier to keep.

The Tyre Drag

In this example the girls are dragging 100kg of tyres in a partnership – excellent for cardio conditioning, quad, hamstring and glute strength!

The Fireman Carry

The fireman carry has the potential to be dangerous if you aren’t experienced or supervised, so start with a low weight until you master it. Keep the pace quick and the weight under control. Here Alex is lifting a 25kg punch bag and sprinting 30m. Great for core, leg and back conditioning.

Hammer Slams

An excellent rotational core strength exercise. The benefit here is in the repetition and control of the hammer. In the example Al is slamming with an 8kg hammer. Coaching tip: Use a large, heavy tyre as it absorbs shock well and doesn’t move – if your strike surface lacks either of these qualities expect a trip to hospital!

Mini Hurdles

An excellent conditioning exercise for sports performance. Helps speed, agility and quickness, promotes excellent ankle and knee health and improves directional change abilities. In this example we are using proper hurdles, but any low-height barrier will work as well.

These are just a handful of potentially thousands of exercises you can do that offer excellent strength, cardio, core and all round fitness benefits. Don’t limit your thinking to the gym – get out and about and realise the world is your gym! You can exercise anywhere!

Strongman and bootcamp training could be the key to helping you achieve your health, fitness and physique goals!

Any questions or comments on these exercises are welcomed – just fire away!

If you would like personal training in Stockport or the surrounding areas, contact me on Steve@Hoylesfitness.com or 07866361964.