Chances are you have heard of fitness bootcamps, and chances are you might be a little skeptical, whether you have tried it or not. Fitness trends come and go and if you're between the ages of 18-35 you have most likely tried everything from hot yoga to pilates, hired a personal trainer, sweat it out to every Jillian Michaels fitness video. Die-hard gym rats may have even attempted the latest kettlebell workout. Oh, and remember Tae-Bo?

Most of these workouts are not for the faint of heart and aimed more at fitness buffs than the average guy or gal. It's probably safe to say more than a few of us have gone home with torn muscles, sore bones, and weakened spirits. Hey, Tae-Bo is hard. So often we sink back into our basic cardio routines and call it a day until the next fitness trend comes along.

When bootcamps designed for fitness purposes debuted several years ago people instantly took notice, and for good reason. A bootcamp workout is known for being rigorous and the fear of such intense physical activity might be scary but in actuality, the circuit is difficult (it's meant to be!) but completely bearable. Most often held outdoors for one full hour, the workout is a great way to get in shape while actually having fun. There is a real sense of team spirit and camaraderie in every bootcamp says Seana Wade, CEO and founder of the original Survivor Bootcamp. Seana founded Survivor Bootcamp in 2003 as a way of getting in shape after giving birth to her first daughter and now has over 110 locations across North America (http://www.survivorbootcamp.com).

Bootcamp is a quick and effective way to shed pounds, tone up, and get out of a fitness rut. Joining with your significant other or a group of girlfriends can keep you motivated and the trainers are all encouraging, not as scary as you might imagine. Bridal bootcamps are gaining popularity as soon to be brides and their wedding parties gear up for wedding season. Or what better way to get bikini ready for the summer?

Try not to think of bootcamp as a trend. Without the bells and whistles and tricky machinery bootcamp is one fitness trend that is here to stay. Really, you'll see the results instead of limping home crying with your kettlebells.

Carine Redmond, Western Contributor
		About the author:
		A West Coast baby at heart, Carine grew up in Ottawa and attended McGill University in Montreal before setting her sights on Vancouver in 2008. Carine works in PR and has a passion for all things celebrity and media related.  She can usually be found catching up on her celebrity gossip, playing with her Polaroid camera or people watching at the beach (while working on her tan of course).  Style icons include Jackie Kennedy, Tom Ford, and Judith Light as Angela Bower. Can’t live without: cherry chapstick, morning television.
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