Review: Original Bootcamp Hong Kong

It’s been an exciting week as Original Bootcamp Hong Kong launched on Monday, 13 February 2012 in two locations (Victoria Park and Nam Cheong Park) with three sessions each! Unfortunately, I could only attend the first session so far as I have fallen victim to the stomach flu. ๐Ÿ™

Not to be confused with Bootcamp (www.bootcamp.com.hk), the “Original Bootcamp” (www.bootcamp.hk) has been running military-styled training sessions in Indonesia and Malaysia for the past three years and is now launching in Hong Kong. What’s the difference with this one, you ask?

 

Original Bootcamp in Victoria Park

 

Size of class: While Bootcampย had a class size of about 10-15 people, there were about 30+ people at Original Bootcamp. This may or may not have had to do with the free trial, but I assume they are going to keep classes at this size so it feels more like an army-style training.

Types of exercises: Bootcamp uses what’s available in the neighborhood, ie. playgrounds, tracks, stairs, benches, fields, whereas Original Bootcamp provides extra tools to work with on a field, ie. ropes, truck tires, bars, so it feels like ‘Sports Day’ back in school.

 

Group push-ups at Original Bootcamp

 

Trainers: Bootcamp has one trainer per session whereas Original Bootcamp has three. All of them are very motivational and encouraging, and while they are strict, they are friendly at the same time. However, I also liked the trainers I had at Bootcamp (Simon, who I heard is no longer there and Michael the Ironman).

Atmosphere: Bootcamp felt like a bunch of strangers getting a workout together, where no one really talked to one another. On the other hand, Original Bootcamp encourages you to meet each other, pairing you up with complete strangers, getting to know their name, and working together to get through the exercises.

Everyone at Original Bootcamp is also given the same T-shirt, so you feel like you’re all in it together. At the end of the session, a group photo is taken to add to the community feeling. Also, there’s a good mix of local and expat recruits at OBC vs. the usual expat-only crowds at Bootcamp HK.

 

Smile for the group photo!

 

Verdict: If it’s not obvious enough already, I really like Original Bootcamp! The fact that they make it really formal like you’re in the army is just what people need to stay disciplined, yet, it’s still fun and friendly enough to keep you going back for more. One session has given me more muscle pain than I’ve ever had from working out on my own, and knowing that other people are going through the same pain makes it a tiny bit better ๐Ÿ˜€

After the trial week in Hong Kong, Original Bootcamp is slated to start offering paid sessions in April 2012. From what I’ve heard, one month of Original Bootcamp at 3x a week will be priced around HK$1,500-2,000 and it will not be possible to only go once or twice a week. “It’s all about discipline and getting results,” the trainers said, and I agree (most people will slack off if they get to decide how often they should go, not to mention giving up when they don’t see results.)

We can’t wait for Original Bootcamp to launch in HK! Hope to see you there … HOOYAH!

(All pictures courtesy of Original Bootcamp HK)


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  1. Oclipz Ong

    19 February

    A wonderful review from @Erica and hope with the help of all sport’s enthusiastic in HK, we are able to make a big changes to the perspective of fitness, making Original Bootcamp Hong Kong growing bigger and stronger! Welcome to OBC Malaysia๏ผŒ ๆฌข่ฟŽๅŠ ๅ…ฅๆˆ‘ไปฌ็š„ๅคงๅฎถๅบญ, ้ฆ™ๆธฏไบบๅŠ ๆฒน๏ผ:D

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