Has anyone done British Military Fitness classes?

[silver73]

Any information gratefully received as I am thinking of starting these.

whilst i never actually vomited from over exertion it was pretty bloody close every class.

you'll get very muddy and wet but i thought it was effective and good to be outside getting exercise

good luck!

Hi Hawthers thanks very much for that. I am overweight so a bit worried about that. Did you find it good for loosing weight? I was thinking of doing it three times a week for the next 4 weeks to help boost my weight loss. I am low carbing/low calorie and have now lost 19lbs but would like to loose another stone in the next four weeks if possible.

i don't think that i lost any weight doing it but that is probably because i am rubbish and doing the low calorie thing. it definitely had a massive impact on my fitness so i should think that it should boost your weight loss.

three times a week is a good aim. i found every single muscle in my body hurt after the first session - literally nothing i could do the day after without something hurting. but if you do three sessions a week your body should get used to it quickly so it won't hurt after each session so that is a good incentive to not stop going.

I'm doing a similar thing - miltary-led bootcamp classes - and it's amazing. Really hurts, but really works. I started a month ago and can already feel/see the benefits in changing my shape. Am dieting too, so hard to say which is the main cause of the weightloss, but I signed up for the classes as a more longer-term way to keeping fit and keep the weight off. I think it helps just to feel like an active person in touch with their body again, instead of the sofa-type I saw myself as for years before. So I'd say go for it, but ideally stick with it. Maybe not 3 times a week forever, but not just as a quick fix.

Oh and another good thing about it that i've found is that because it is so hard, you're really not 'the fat one who can't cope'. Even the very fit people who've been going for ages find it a challenging work-out so you don't feel so self-conscious when you're red-faced and sweaty cos everyone is!

Hi,

I am a huge fan of BMF and used to do 3 or 4 classes a week before having a baby. I found it worked brilliantly if I went on a "moderate" diet - i.e. not insanely strict but consistent. I am not at all hearty or outdoorsy and used to do things like yoga and jazz dance prior to BMF, but I loved it (still do) because it definitely helped the weight loss, kept me focussed and really put me back in touch with my body. I would also say, think of it as a longer term thing than just five or six weeks. If you did it for 3 months, say, I think you'd be amazed at your progress.

I did it for a few months and loved it - only stopped because I sprained my ankle playing football one day, and then it started to rain. I only did it once a week, but it took my focus away from the size I was wearing and put it towards being able to complete the tasks in class. Worked my way up from no running at all to completing my first 10k. And I dropped a dress size anyway.

If you are nervous at all, BMF usually holds a monthly fitness test. That might be handy to do first, as you can meet the instructors and do some running, press-ups, squats, etc. You and the instructors then both know what level you are starting at.

Everyone is puffing and moaning through the class, even the turbo-athletes, but we were usually doing things like leapfrog and bunny hops - games we all played when we were kids. The instructors I had were more like pushy high school coaches than Full Metal Jacket drill sergeants.

If you do go, don't eat right before class! Maybe a spoonful of peanut butter (or something) if you're ravenous, but save the food for afterwards.

Yes. They're good but very tough.

I put myself into thee intermediate group as I'm fit and run about 18 miles a week .....but I struggled!

I hate fitness training, spinning classes and the shred dvd Didn't work for me. BMF was just what I needed. I started in the beginners, which is perfect for the totally unfit and over weight. I quickly progressed to intermediate. My fitness improved fast. The instructors made it fun with silly games and daft races. Obviously you have to accept getting muddy.

Three times a week beginners level, and you'll quickly see results.