Fancy being trained by a marine? Pippa Middleton certainly does. The toned 31-year old has revealed she loves outdoor bootcamps. Speaking to Waitrose magazine she divulged that attending British Military Fitness helps maintain her fabulous figure. BMF is the all year, all weather, outdoor boot camp and If it’s good enough for Pippa, It’s good enough for us – Isabella Sullivan tried it
On a rainy Sunday morning there were a lot of things I’d rather be doing than outdoor exercise. After a good 20 minutes of debating whether to get out of bed or not I finally convinced myself to go, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.
burning an average of 600 calories a session
Outdoor exercise, especially in parks in London has grown dramatically. It’s perfect for summer and is the trendy, cost-efficient and exciting way to lose weight and get in shape. Most importantly keeping you out of the sticky, sweaty gym.
British Military Fitness (BMF) is the social, challenging, and ridiculously fun way to stay fit, and let me just start with saying it’s not scary. You don’t get shouted at, and you don’t have to be already fit to take part. I went with expectations of being forced to do 100 press ups while an instructor shouted in my face. Luckily I was so wrong.
BMF have developed a ‘civilian friendly’ version of the physical exercise used to get military folk fit, and whist being extremely tiring and full on (burning an average of 600 calories a session) it does not feel like hardcore fitness training at all.
The class is split into three groups going up in difficulty from beginners to advanced. As a regular gym goer I thought I could handle intermediate but was advised to join beginner… it was the right decision. The class is very social, I apprehensively went alone but within minutes of the class beginning we were all high fiving, linking arms, and getting down and dirty (in the mud) with each other.
The next hour compromised of manically running around Parliament Hill, resistance training, team activities, and core and muscle workouts. With forfeits such as 15 burpees (the most evil of them all), the instructors keep you on your toes and focused without any intimidation at all. The class even left me wanting more, not like the gym where (for me) I’m crying on the treadmill and bartering with myself to make me finish my run.
Oh, and did I mention that the instructors are all hunky military guys…
Just the one class managed to turn a gym advocate like me into an al-fresco exercise lover.
BMF operates in 140 locations all over the UK so you’ll never be too far away from a BMF class. Sessions run in practically every major park in London, and there are morning and evening ones to chose from. Bets are, its probably cheaper than your gym, and if not everyone gets a free trial so you have no excuse not to give it go.
Oh, and did I mention that the instructors are all hunky military guys…
PIPPA’S BMF WORKOUT
Achieve Pippa’s pins, flat stomach and famous derriere with Gary Kerr’s (Head of Operations and training at BMF) full body workout.
Dignified Derriere:
Jump Lunge
Step forward landing on the heel first then lower yourself until the front knee is at 90 degrees to the ground and directly above your feet. The back knee should continue until it nearly touches the ground
Jump up, bursting into the air, and switch legs in the air so you can complete the exercise landing on the other leg
Complete 10 times on each leg
Jump Squats
Start with your feet shoulder width apart, place your hands on your temples and elbows pulled back. Squeeze the shoulder blades together to keep the back upright
Lower your bum down to the floor and then as you stand back up, jump up into the air, landing in the starting position
Complete 10 -15 times
Glute Bridge
Lie down on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat to the ground.
Proceed to raise your hips so your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your knees
Hold this position for 30 seconds, before lowering your body back to the starting position
Stately Stomach:
Superwoman Push Up
Start by lying on your front. Lift your upper body, squeezing your shoulder blades together. Keep your abs tight to protect your lower back.
Lift up your body with your hands into the press up position
Lower your body slowly to the floor for the press up and repeat 10 times
Side Plank
Lie on your left side with your legs straight then proceed to prop your upper body up on your left elbow and forearm
Raise your hips until your body forms a straight line from your ankles to your shoulders.
Hold this position for 30 seconds and then turn around so that you’re lying on your right side and repeat
High thighs:
Tuck Jump
Start in the standing position and jump into the air. As you do, bring your knees as high up as you can
Return to starting position and repeat 20 times
Squats
Start with your feet shoulder width apart, place your hands on your temples and elbows pulled back. Squeeze the shoulder blades together to keep the back upright.
Lower your bum down to the floor and then return to starting position
Complete 10 times
Squat Thrusts
Start in a press up position with your hands shoulder width apart
In one movement, jump your legs towards your chest, until you are in the tuck position
Jump your legs back out to the starting position
Complete 15 times
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