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MILITARY
It’s 5.30am and I’m questioning my sanity as I head out for shuttle runs in torrential rain. But despite a weather warning for South Wales, our RAF staff sergeants have no sympathy. In fact, I’m sure I can see a slight smile on their faces.
An hour later, I’m back for breakfast. Forget a fry-up, you get just 1,200 calories a day, so food is controlled. All meals are healthy and delicious but filling they are not.
There’s no rest for the wicked and next we’re off to the yurt for an hour of boxing, followed by an hour of circuits and some core exercises. I’m exhausted and it’s not even lunch.
New You Boot Camp is both hard-core and basic. There’s a distinct military theme with staff sergeants dishing out punishment for lateness. Accommodation is in a converted stone barn dormitory in the Brecon Beacons National Park. The afternoon is filled with military-style exercises. There’s log runs and barrel rolling to cycling, hiking, wall climbing and abseiling. Hikes across the beautiful countryside are also a common feature.
Evenings are reserved for dinner, a training session such as Tabata, a dunk in an outside ice bath (I kid you not) and collapsing into bed. There is nothing glamorous about this camp and although my fellow campers are an enthusiastic bunch by day, we are so exhausted by night there’s not much energy left for socialising.
