Peloton bootcamp classes are some of the most effective—and time efficient—workouts you can incorporate into your regular routine. But some people are intimidated by the idea, picturing military-style training tactics and merciless instructors. Nothing could be further from the truth.
On a recent Facebook Live, Peloton Tread instructors Selena Samuela and Matty Maggiacomo broke down why bootcamp classes are actually some of the most rewarding sweat sessions available. Here, some key takeaways from the discussion.
1. Bootcamp Gives You More Bang for Your Buck
“Bootcamp is a really, really effective way to pack a lot in a short amount of time,” Selena says. “So, if you're short on time, and you're like, 'Oh, man, I would love to run and get a lift in today,' you can do it all in one workout. Personally ... when I want to get a quick or really effective and efficient workout in, I choose bootcamp.”
2. Bodyweight Is Still a Challenge
“For those just starting off in their fitness journey, we have beginner-level bootcamps. And I think that’s a great place to start off,” Selena says. “And if you’re really new to the whole strength thing and you’re kind of shaky with the weights, pick a bodyweight bootcamp. Beginner bodyweight, boom. Then you can work your way up from there.”
3. Repetition Is Key
“There's no shame in repeating the same classes every once in a while,” Matty says. “It's a really good benchmark. If there's a Tread bootcamp that you love where you picked up 15-pound weights, next time you do it, do it with 20-pound weights. Up the ante a little bit. That's where you're really going to see your progress.”
4. Less Is More
“The general rule of thumb for beginners is lighter weights,” Matty says. “You should be getting high repetitions as you move into that muscle hypertrophy. With that muscle building, you're kind of aiming for 10 to 12 reps where you might actually consider going up in weight. That's kind of another little cheat.”
5. Embrace the Change
“You're different from the minute you start to the endpoint, right?” Matty says. “The chemistry of your body changes. Everything that's going on in your brain changes. How awesome is that? It's nuts!”
Selena agrees: “It's such a good feeling.”
6. No More Excuses
“Keep in mind, you can take bootcamp on any treadmill, okay?” Matty says. “You just need a tread and space to work out not too far away from that. Most of the classes are broken up, typically two times on the Tread and two times on the floor. As long as you can be mobile, you just need to be able to hop off, get back on, hop off and get back on. It's just a hard-ass workout that's efficient and fun. And, really, it's not scarier than anything you've already done!”
Ready to join Matty and Selena in a bootcamp class? You’re gonna want to check out the Peloton App.
