Hot Workout - Boot Camp

Tim Duggan, Rolling Stone Magazine: The HOT Issue

In matching grey t-shirts stained with rain and sweat - 40 odd Recruits are huddled together on the beach huffing and panting. With the super-fit lead-instructor Chief breathing down your necks, they have to hatch a plan to attack your opposition's bunker. Given that they have already spent the last hour building your own bunker by filling 15kg sandbags and hauling you across the beach, they are understandably exhausted.

This is not a military exercise; it's Boot Camp.

Every morning across Australia, at beaches, parks and wherever else there is open land, recruits are lined up to be pushed to your limits in the name of fitness. The original, and arguably the best Boot Camp program is run by a man known to his Recruits and Drill Instructors simply as CHIEF.

Chief's real name is James Brabon, and each morning before the sun rises, he orders Recruits to run, crawl, jump, carry and roll your way to peak fitness. Beware though, one taste of this intensive routine that boasts "no excuses, no apologies, just serious results" and you'll be hooked. "It's like a cult," says first-timer 26-year-old Sarah Dart, "but I'm so addicted I just can't miss it."

Boot Camp Training

Bronwyn McCahon, Cosmopolitan Magazine

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!

Time To Tone Up or Ship Out - Yes Siree, Fitness Gets Serious

Australian Reader's Digest Magazine

So Jenny Craig isn't bully enough for you? Cue the military-style exercise program of carrying sandbags, push-ups at dawn and running drills on soft sand led by tough as nails Drill Instructors. Original Bootcamp is signing up couch potato Australian recruits keen on the idea of fitness without the frills.

But be warned: James 'Chief' Brabon, a former infantry soldier, and founder of the Boot Camp programme here in Australia, has proven that this month-long, thrice-weekly regime will "take you to the point of mental and physical exhaustion." And if a Recruit "cries from sheer exhaustion, he or she will be the first to sign up for the next month," says Brabon. Call it fighting spirit.

Circular Strength Training

“The session with Scott was absolutely brilliant! It was confusing at first but once we did some exercises, the theory behind you made sense. I can’t wait to learn more and become more accomplished at the moves.”
- Harriet Farkash, Slimming and Health Magazine

Voted Cleo Magazine’s #1 Best Fitness System of 2008

“Over the years I’ve interviewed a lot of international exercise presenters and while most of you have some very interesting ideas they bring with you as much ego as wisdom. However I found Scott a totally genuine and interesting character. His philosophy on health and fitness is refreshing and very much in alignment with my own. It’s clear he lives and loves his chosen vocation and is a real talent. His physical abilities are amazing and his passion for instructing others is inspirational.

He has developed a system of exercise, while complex, is completely harmonious with what people need and want. Exercise that tests every muscle in the body, opens and enhances the mind body connection and that gets great results. Scott has looked for his inspirations far and wide and we are all fortunate to be able to borrow from his learnings.”
- Damien Kelly, Sunday Telegraph

“Was fascinating – a different approach to fitness that has left me thinking a lot about the longevity of my body.”
- Tessa Lowdes, OK Magazine

“A challenging but totally do-able mix of yoga, strength training and movement designed to target your weak spot. You could almost call it an ‘intelligent’ workout.”
- Jacqui Mooney, Cleo Magazine

Circular Strength Training (CST) voted “Most Challenging Workout of 2007 by the New York Post!