Full Bootcamp Equipment List (Buy on a Budget)

Fitness boot camps have become hugely popular in recent years. If you’re looking to break into the business and stand out, you’re going to need the right bootcamp equipmen

To give you a helping hand, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of fitness bootcamp equipment, from the bare basics to the ultimate wishlist to get you started.

Contents:

• What Are Fitness Bootcamps?
• Why Run Fitness Bootcamps With Equipment?
• What To Consider Before Building Up Your Bootcamp Equipment
• Bootcamp Equipment List
• Tips For Growing and Maintaining Your Bootcamp Equipment
• FAQ

Before we continue, you can kick off your career in the best way by getting qualified as a fitness instructor and personal trainer in as little as 4 weeks with our Personal Trainer Diploma! Aside from running bootcamp classes, you can also become a group fitness instructor and build your confidence with hosting large classes.

Get in touch with us today to find out about what else we offer or download our course prospectus.

What Are Fitness Bootcamps?

If you’ve made it to this article, it’s likely you already know what a bootcamp is. However, if not, here’s a quick reminder.

A fitness bootcamp usually involves performing a series of exercises that target the whole body with the aim of building strength and improving aerobic endurance. 

This can be enhanced with various pieces of bootcamp equipment that offer more intensive training.

This form of exercise is called bootcamp because the structure loosely resembles military fitness tests, and mimics the athleticism and teamwork required to pass basic training.

Generally, a fitness bootcamp is a group workout that promotes fitness and teamwork through light competition and team tasks. 

Working out in a group allows clients to push each other more than they would on their own, encouraged by their group fitness instructor.

They also offer a level of flexibility because they can be set up anywhere, from outside in a park to inside a gym or sports hall.

In general they’re organised by gyms, personal trainers, or other fitness organisations - all of which can offer bootcamp training with equipment that caters for different abilities.

Why Run Fitness Bootcamps With Equipment?

You may be wondering why you should offer bootcamp training when equipment and organisation will take up your time and money. 

Well, there are several financial benefits for you as a business as well as for your clients.

Firstly, whilst bootcamp equipment can be initially expensive, the classes are a great way to supplement your income, and you’ll easily make back your initial expenditure. 

Running a group class means you can train multiple clients during the same hour, so you’re earning more money than you would be from individual training.

Secondly, the regulated structure of a fitness bootcamp means you can create training blocks of 4-6 weeks and offer a bulk price that will be a guaranteed monthly income.

People often prefer to pay for services monthly because it’s easier, so offering a monthly price is more attractive for potential clients and will be a consistent source of earnings for you.

To make it more attractive your bulk price could work out slightly cheaper than if a client paid each time. 

For example, if your bootcamp costs £6 to attend, 2 sessions a week for 6 weeks would be £72. 

If you offer a block price of £65 you may think you’re losing money, but this set amount is guaranteed regardless of whether the client shows up to every session.

Lastly, if you prefer outdoor training, you’ll be saving money on venue hire. This means you can dedicate more of your earnings to buying the right outdoor bootcamp equipment for your needs. 

What To Consider Before Building Up Your Bootcamp Equipment

Before you jump right in on a spending spree for new bootcamp equipment, you should take a moment to consider the different factors that will affect when and what you buy. 

You shouldn’t buy any kit without exploring your options first!

#1 - Budget

Money is always the foremost consideration when you’re starting a new venture. 

So first off, do you have a starting budget? If so, how much can you reasonably decide to spend, and is there any flexibility in this start up amount? 

The last thing you want to do is buy a load of equipment you can’t afford, or that doesn’t match the purpose you need it for.

Instead, why not research pieces of bootcamp equipment that are fairly inexpensive but will add huge value to your sessions? 

By getting creative, even the simplest pieces will make your training sessions more engaging for clients.

You could offer some starter classes to grow your budget and monitor client engagement, before moving onto mid-range and more expensive bootcamp training equipment.

Or consider timing your purchases with national or local sales to pick up high quality items at a fraction of the cost.

#2 - Transportation

Another factor to consider before you buy any bootcamp equipment is how you are going to move it. Do you have a car you can travel with or are you limited to using public transport? 

Carting around bags of heavy weights on the bus is not feasible, so you need to think about how you’re going to get from A to B.

If you do have your own transport, you should also consider:

• Does the area you’ve chosen have on-site parking?
• How far from a car park is your chosen practice space? 
• How practical is it going to be to get everything from the car to your area?

This will dictate where you choose to set up your camp, as well as what outdoor bootcamp equipment you’ll be able to use. 

Most of the set up will have to be done by you, so having to trek deep into a park won’t be sustainable.

#3 - Space

How much space do you have to run your training sessions? You’ll have to consider what bootcamp equipment will best take advantage of your chosen area.

Are you training indoors or outdoors? Some outdoor bootcamp equipment won’t work well inside a hall or gym and vice versa, so you need to buy the right kit for your environment.

The ground quality is also an avenue you need to explore - some equipment won’t be safe to use on hills or inclines. 

However, these offer you the chance to get creative and incorporate the natural terrain into your exercises.

#4 - Group Size

How many clients do you intend on having in each class? You’ll need to have the right amount of equipment for everyone to use at the same time, or enough at each station of a circuit to cover your group.

You should also consider whether you want to offer big group sessions or are you looking to run smaller, more personalised bootcamps. 

Not only does this affect what you should buy and how much, but also how much you should charge per session.

Do some research about what sort of fitness bootcamps and equipment are already being offered in your area as you may be able to fill a gap in the market.

#5 - Client Interest

Do you already have a client base interested in attending a session? If so, have they already expressed an interest in specific pieces of bootcamp training equipment? 

It’s always worth choosing gear you know will be a hit with your clients, even if you don’t get it straight away. 

Listen to the thoughts and opinions of your clientele! It’s likely they will keep coming back if they feel they’re being heard.

#6 - Versatility

Finally, you’re going to want to get the most out of your money and your bootcamp fitness equipment so it’s definitely worth considering what pieces are the most versatile.

Before you buy, look at how many different exercises one piece of equipment can support or enhance because these are the best ones from which to start building a collection. 

By using your equipment repeatedly in new and creative ways, you’ll continue to make your bootcamp feel fresh and exciting. 

This saves money and you can see what works for your group before moving on to more expensive pieces.

Bootcamp Equipment List

When choosing to run a fitness bootcamp, equipment makes a huge difference. Our list will show you how to grow your kit over time without sacrificing the quality of your bootcamp or your bank account!

Basic Bootcamp Equipment

#1 - Cones

Although cones may remind you of school PE lessons, they’re a classic piece of bootcamp fitness equipment because they’re a cheap and easy way to add more dimensions to your training. 

You can use them to mark distances for sprints and running drills, or separate each station of a circuit. 

Having lots of cones in different colours means you can get creative and assign different body weight exercises to each colour, making a game out of each workout. 

One idea for a warm up is to have your group play ‘valleys and volcanoes’. 

Set up includes:

• Randomly scattering the cones randomly in an area
• Turn some upright and have others upside down
• Divide your group into two teams
• One team works to turn all the cones upright (volcanoes), the other works to turn them all upside down (valleys)

The aim of the game is to end with all the cones either upright or upside down, or with one team having the most cones in their assigned position after a period of time. 

Playing this will not only get your group warmed up and having fun but will encourage them to work together and relax as a group.

Some examples of cones include:

• Kitlocker 50 Cones Set
• Fitness Health 50 Cones Set
• Sondico 50 Cones Set

#2 - Whiteboard

It might be tricky to move about but a whiteboard is a valuable piece of bootcamp training equipment for both administrative and interactive purposes. 

You could organise friendly competitions to encourage teamwork and use the whiteboard to record stores and keep everyone motivated. 

You can also use it to track people’s progress, showing your clients how well they’re improving each week.

A whiteboard is important for making sure everyone in the group knows the plan for the session as they can easily refer back to it if needed. Some clients may feel more comfortable when they know what to expect.

Having a whiteboard on hand means you could do an alphabet workout, either as a warm up or part of your session. 

To do this, simply write out the alphabet on your whiteboard so each letter has a corresponding exercise next to it. Clients then need to spell out a word by completing each exercise set.

If you want all your clients doing the same you could choose a word that describes the session, or something that you want your clients to learn from exercising; like determination, hard work, fitness etc. 

Or they could each workout to their name, with shorter names having to repeat so that everyone works out a similar amount.

Here are some options for you to check out:

• Ryman Whiteboard
• Viz Pro Whiteboard

#3 - Foam Dice or Giant Playing Cards

We’ve grouped these pieces of bootcamp training equipment together because they can both creatively inspire you and promote spontaneity in your routines. 

Large foam dice or giant playing cards are a cheap way to make your bootcamps more interactive and engaging because they encourage client participation and interaction. 

You could devise several shorter workouts that correspond with the numbers rolled on the die or suits from the deck, and have your clients essentially ‘pick’ what they’re going to do for the session.

Alternatively they could be used as a way to put teams together randomly so that your group gets to know each other without subconsciously picking the same person each week.

Similarly to the alphabet workout mentioned above, you could assign exercises to the numbers from the deck of cards and create new and fun warm ups.

Or you could use them to play a modified version of ‘Higher or Lower’ where winners and losers have different exercises depending on their answers in the game.

We’ve provided some for you to take a look at below:

• The Works Gigantic Playing Cards
• Grass Village Giant Playing Cards
• Kitlocker Giant Dice

#4 - Laminated Reusable Station Cards

Most bootcamps are either circuit or drill style, and both can benefit from having laminated exercise cards as part of your collection of bootcamp equipment to make your classes more accessible.

For example, if you have deaf or hearing impaired members of your group they have something to refer back to, especially if they can’t see your face to read what exercise you have planned.

At a circuit station these cards make it clear to your clients which exercise they’re supposed to complete. 

You can have images demonstrating how to complete the exercise and written instructions on the back to help your clients with their form if they get stuck or forget.

By laminating the cards you’re making sure they’ll last longer, as well as being able to survive:

• Being outside
• Being trodden on
• Water damage
• Slid around on the floor

Station cards can also help with planning because you can lay them out whilst deciding what exercises to use and in what order. 

They’ll also help you keep track of which exercises you use frequently as the cards will wear quicker, whilst unused cards will show you what doesn’t work for your particular group.

If you need help choosing, check out these products:

• Argos Laminator
• REXEL Laminator
• Xerox A4 Paper 500 sheets

#5 - Resistance Bands

One of the first pieces of bootcamp fitness equipment you should consider buying are resistance bands for building strength. These can isolate and exercise different muscle groups all over the body.

Resistance bands are a brilliant budget option over heavier weights for adding resistance and intensity to different exercises.

They’re also light and can be easily stored in a bag until you need them, making them perfect for a starter collection of bootcamp equipment.

Looped bands can be held on various points of the body to provide resistance during each movement. For example they can be added to squats or donkey kicks to add difficulty as you have to pull against the band.

Tube resistance bands have handles, making them an excellent option for an outdoor bootcamp with equipment. Many of the exercises can be done standing as you can use your feet to hold the band in place.

Resistance bands have benefits for all abilities because they come in various strength levels, and can provide a challenge that suits each client and their individual fitness needs.

Some examples include:

• Core Zone Resistance Bands Set of 6
• CKB Resistance Bands Set of 3
• Pro-Tone Resistance Bands Set of 5 plus handles

#6 - Agility Ladders

Although this may seem like another throwback to school sports training, there’s a reason these items have made it into our budget bootcamp equipment list.amazon

Agility ladders are supremely adaptable to whatever movements you want to include in a workout, and you can easily create your own patterns for your group to follow. 

Clients can simply run through the boxes as fast as possible, or you may have them include hops, skips, and jumps to test their brains as well as their bodies.

It’s a simple form of cardio that will get your clients up and having fun without realising how much they’re actually exercising.

You’ll also be improving their coordination and reaction time which will help as you move your clients onto harder exercises.

As a warm up you might want to have your clients play a modified version of hopscotch. This involves them skipping part of the routine depending on where their marker lands whilst still doing it quickly and correctly.

Fortunately for you as a personal trainer, agility ladders are lightweight and easy to carry around as they can be kept in a bag until you need them. 

They’re also suitable for outdoor or indoor use as long as you have a long enough space to stretch them out in.

Our options below can help you decide:

• Forza Agility Ladder 3m
• Mitre Agility Ladder Set of 4
• Mountain Warehouse Agility Ladder

Standard Bootcamp Equipment

#1 - Kettlebells

Once you’ve got the basics down for your bootcamp equipment, the next step is to consider incorporating some weights to add more resistance and strength training to your classes. 

These are a great option for weights because they’re simple to use and can work the whole body. The handles make them excellent for swings and safe additions to lunges where movement can make holding other weights tricky or dangerous. 

Kettlebells are also easy to add to squats or step ups to increase the difficulty as your clients get fitter.

Completing a Kettlebell Instructor Course can open the door to additional clients and allows you to understand the tricks and benefits of training with them.

However, they can be difficult to transport, especially if you have several in the higher weight ranges. It might be worth considering how you’re going to bring them to a session before you buy them.

We’ve outlined some of the best kettlebell ab exercises and kettlebell arm exercises to include in your fitness bootcamps.

Here are some options with differing weight ranges:

• JLL Kettlebells 2kg - 12kg
• MiraFit Soft Touch Kettlebells 6kg - 32kg
• DKN Kettlebells 2kg - 8kg

#2 - Barbells

Another option for incorporating weights into your bootcamp training equipment are barbells. Here you get double for your money, as you can use the bar and weights together or separately.

Barbells are excellent for training the whole body. For example, your training plan could have clients using a variety of muscle groups, so may include:

• Deadlifts
• Chest presses
• Hip thrusts

You can also choose to use the weights alone as extra resistance for core exercises like Russian twists or sit ups, so you have plenty of choice when it comes to planning your fitness bootcamp with this equipment.

Unlike other free weights like kettlebells, barbells give you the option of changing and customising their weight. 

This makes them an ideal piece of bootcamp training equipment because your clients can train according to their ability without you having to buy lots of expensive kit.

Using a barbell, your clients can also build up to a higher overall weight because of the stability of the bar. This makes it safer to train with heavier loads and helps limit deviation of movement that could ruin their form.

Examples include:

• Mirafit Olympic Barbell Weight Bar 4ft-7ft
• Mirafit Weight Plates 5kg - 25kg
• Body Power 20kg Barbell Set

#3 - Dumbbells

Of course, no fitness bootcamp equipment list would be complete without mentioning dumbbells. These are a fitness staple because they’re easy to use, come in a variety of weights, and are readily available at different price points.

Dumbbells are a great entry into the world of weight and strength training because they require little specialist knowledge on how to use them, and your clients will quickly pick up the exercises after a demonstration. 

By including dumbbells into your bootcamp equipment you can isolate and easily train your client’s upper body strength. 

You can incorporate chest exercises and overhead tricep dips alongside the usual bicep curls to get a full upper body workout for your clients.

Or you can get creative and make a game using the different weights in a relay to get your clients having fun whilst combining cardio and strength training.

However, having lots of different weights will be challenging to bring to a session so make sure you know how many clients are attending the bootcamp before you bring them.

Here are some options to help you choose:

• Mirafit 10kg Mini Dumbbell Set
• Hardcastle 30kg Adjustable Dumbbell Set

#4 - Wrist or Ankle Weights

If you’re looking to really up the intensity for your clients, you could explore buying sets of wrist or ankle weights. These can be worn for the whole bootcamp or for specific sections to force your clients to work harder against the resistance.

Ankle weights are an easy and accessible way to conduct strength training exercises anywhere because they’re much easier to carry over other weighted bootcamp equipment.

They’re also a simple thing to add to your training plan because clients just need to strap them on and get started - there’s no teaching required!

However, you do need to be aware of how your clients react to the weights, and ensure that they slow down and concentrate on form if you find them struggling.

Even if these weights are an effortless addition to your plans, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get creative! 

Ankle and wrist weights are perfect for team exercises! You could even go full Survivor and create stamina challenges in which eliminated team members add their weights to those still in the game.

Examples include: 

• Urban Fitness Wrist and Ankle Weights 2x1kg
• Mirafit Ankle and Wrist Weights 2x1kg to 2x5kg
• Everlast Wrist and Ankle Weights 2x2kg

#5 - Sandbags

The sandbag takes some of the best qualities of other weights and combines them into one. 

Similar to kettlebells, they have handles which make them easy to carry. These are usually longer, which can bring more stability and gives you the option to rest them across your shoulders or chest.

This means they can also be used for squats, deadlifts, and other weight exercises to add some more difficulty to the exercise routine. 

Sandbag training is another great option for weight relays because they’re easy to pick up and carry whilst running.

Fabric sandbags can feel more comfortable on the skin which makes them a better choice for introducing new clients to strength training. They’re also less intimidating than metal weights so work better for beginners.

Here are a couple of sandbag options with varying weights:

• Decathlon Adjustable Sandbag up to 35kg
• Mirafit Sandbag 5kg-30kg

#6 - Medicine Balls

A medicine ball is another classic piece to include with your bootcamp fitness equipment because they’re easy to use and fairly transportable.

Medicine balls are great for core exercises because they’re smaller and easier to hold than other exercise balls. 

They’re also safe to gently throw to other people as you workout.

Medicine ball training makes exercises like Russian twists and toe touches more challenging, forcing your clients to really engage their core to hold and maintain their form.

To encourage teamwork, you could have your clients complete squat throws. Working in pairs, have one person complete a squat then throw the ball to the other. 

Not only does this force them to concentrate on each other, it gives your clients a core workout they can actually enjoy!

Medicine balls are great for balance exercises because the extra weight makes it harder, but also gives the client something to concentrate on instead of worrying about falling. 

You could have clients try one legged squats with the ball held in front of them to add some stability.

Some examples include:

• Opti Medicine Ball Set of 3
• BodyRip Medicine Ball 1kg-25kg
• Bytomic Medicine Ball 1kg-10kg

#7 - Slam Balls

There’s something very enjoyable about watching a slam ball hit the ground, so why not add them to your growing collection of fitness bootcamp equipment? 

Not only will your clients get that satisfying thud, they’ll get a whole body workout as they throw down.

Although, do remember to check the terrain if you’re planning on using slam balls as outdoor bootcamp equipment because you don’t want them to split or break on a jagged surface.

Aside from overhead slams, you can include a slam ball into other core or bodyweight exercises as an extra weight the same as you would with a medicine ball or other free weights.

This could range from using a slam ball as an extra weight in a squat and woodcutters, to placing your hands on the ball during a plank or press up. 

As creativity is your only limit, spend some time thinking and trying out new ideas to keep your workouts fresh and your clients interested!

• Mirafit Slam Balls 2kg-75kg
• TRX Slam Balls 2.72kg-13.60kg
• Bulldog Gear Slam Balls 3kg-30kg

Please note that several of the pieces we’ve mentioned in this section can be used in similar ways. Make sure you devise training plans with enough variety so they don’t become repetitive. 

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Enjoying this article so far? Here’s a few more we think you’ll like:

• How To Become a Group Fitness Instructor
• What Qualifications Do I Need To Teach Circuit Training?
• How To Plan A Circuit Class?

Ultimate Bootcamp Equipment

#1 - Battle Ropes

Chances are potential clients will have seen battle ropes at some point. They’re a very popular piece of bootcamp equipment for the aesthetic alone, not including how great they are as a workout.

Although battle ropes may not seem like a group training piece at first, the exercises are incredibly hard work. 

You could easily include them into circuit training so everyone has a chance to give them a go.

Something to remember is that if you’re looking for an outdoor bootcamp, this equipment may be harder to set up - you’ll need a sturdy tree or pole to wrap the ropes around safely and securely.

If you do have an indoor training venue there are definitely more options for using battle ropes, especially as they can be tied at ground level or suspended from the ceiling for rope climbs.

Battle ropes are perfect for fun and engaging team building exercises. Simply tie a coloured piece of fabric around the middle and you have a ready made tug-of-war rope!

Alternatively, you could tie kettlebells to the end of the rope and have your clients pull it along a set distance, increasing the weight as they travel the course.

Take a look at some of our examples below:

• Mirafit Battle Rope 9m-15m
• Pro Fitness Battle Rope 12m
• TRX Battle Rope 9m/15m

#2 - Sleds

Another staple of the Crossfit scene, gym sleds are excellent for building strength and stamina alongside explosive force. 

These are a more specialised piece of bootcamp equipment, and can be saved for later on your list when your clients are fitter and you’ve built up a solid training regimen.

Sleds are built to be pushed or pulled, which trains both the upper and lower body and means you need to make sure you have enough space for them to be used safely.

They’re easy to adapt for each client as you add or remove weight for each person.

It may be worth buying battle ropes and a sled at similar times as they can enhance each other and give you more options to use them in your training. 

A sled can act as an anchor for the battle ropes if you’re training outside, or you could use the ropes to drag the sled across an area.

Sleds are also great for relays and competitions amongst your clients, so you could use them to make your warm ups more intense and interesting.

Some examples include:

• ND Sports Sled
• Mirafit Weight Sled
• Industrial Fitness Prowler

#3 - Weighted Vests

Similar to ankle and wrist weights, a weighted vest is a way to increase the difficulty of your boot camp regardless of what exercises it actually contains.

They add resistance to the body in more natural areas which means your clients gain more practical strength.

If you get creative with this piece of bootcamp training equipment your clients wouldn’t even need to be wearing the vest for the whole time to reap the benefits. 

By holding the shoulders of the vest your clients can work through a series of upright rows, overhead lifts, and bicep curls before putting it back on for the rest of the workout.

In terms of practicality, you’re definitely going to need your own transport, because these vests will be heavy and bulky to transport to and from each session. 

You’ll also need to make sure you have enough for each member of your group, along with a few spares to cover surprise additions or damages.

• TRX Kevlar Weight Vest
• Pro Fitness Weighted Vest
• Mirafit Adjustable Weighted Vest

Additional Options for Indoor Bootcamp Equipment

In some fitness bootcamps, the equipment you choose may be more suited for an indoor venue because it has requirements that can’t be met outside, either for safety or preservation of the kit.

#1 - Suspension Trainers

Suspension trainers are an indoor piece of bootcamp equipment because they need to be fixed to a strong frame that can safely take a person’s full body weight.

They are a valuable part of any collection because suspension trainers offer the chance to add more interesting body weight exercises into your routines, as well as making existing ones more intense.

For example, by using suspension trainers you can have your clients do chest presses and flys without needing weights or benches.

You can also include more exercises specifically for their back muscles, which can be difficult to do without specific equipment.

Suspension trainers can be used to incorporate more difficulty into regular core and whole body exercises like planks and press ups because your clients will have to focus on maintaining their balance whilst they workout.

When you’re just starting out suspension trainers are a great piece of bootcamp equipment because they’re relatively inexpensive and easy to carry to a venue.

Here are some examples to help you decide: 

• Pro Fitness Suspension Trainer
• TRX Pro4 Suspension Trainer
• Protone Suspension Trainer

#2 - Wall Balls

As the name suggests, you need a wall in order to use these properly, something an outdoor training location tends to lack.

As a piece of bootcamp equipment, wall balls are usually lighter than other exercise balls as they have a softer lining, unsuitable to outside conditions.

These are made to be thrown indoors, either against a wall or to another person during a workout.

Although wall ball exercises seem simple, they’re hugely beneficial for the quads and glutes because of the squat element, as well as working the core to maintain stability and push power through the throw.

If you own or rent a large enough space you could have your clients lined up along the wall working through a series of exercises, or split your group into smaller numbers depending on the amount of space and equipment you have.

Examples include: 

• FXR Wall Ball 2kg-7kg
• Mirafit Wall Ball 3kg-12kg
• TRX Wall Ball 1.81kg-5.44kg

#3 - Plyometric Boxes

Plyometric boxes are another piece of bootcamp fitness equipment that are more suited to an indoor venue for safety, use, and maintenance. 

A flat, dry surface is essential when you’re using plyo boxes to prevent any avoidable accidents or slips. 

Your boxes will last longer when they’re not exposed to the elements or scraped along rough terrain.

Plyo boxes are a versatile piece of kit, as you don’t just have to use them for explosive jump training. 

Depending on their general fitness, clients could go through an aerobic step up routine that increases in difficulty, or use the boxes as an incline to make press ups easier or harder depending on how they’re used.

Whilst they don’t necessarily weigh a lot, plyo boxes are large which can make them difficult to transport, so an indoor venue with a close car park certainly makes them easier to use.

Here’s a few to help you decide:

• Metis 3-in-1 Plyo Box
• Mirafit Soft Stackable Plyo Boxes
• Bionic Body Plyo Box

Bootcamp Equipment Extras

#1- Water

Although this isn’t strictly a piece of fitness bootcamp equipment, having water on hand is a great way to set you apart from your competition. It also makes clients think they’re getting more for their money.

Some clients may forget to bring a bottle, or your outdoor training area may not have anywhere to refill water bottles, so bringing extras highlights your preparedness and care for your clients.

#2 - Sanitising Products

Outdoor bootcamps with equipment have become popular with people who want to keep fit but may not be quite ready to step foot in a gym.

By keeping sanitiser wipes as part of your bootcamp equipment and having clients wipe down each piece after use, you’re limiting the spread of bacteria within your group and this helps keep areas clean.

Wiping everything down also makes things easier for you in the long run because your equipment is being regularly sanitised. 

However, you should still clean and disinfect everything separately after a session.

#3 - Mats

As some outdoor bootcamp equipment requires your clients to lie down, exercise mats make everything safer and more comfortable by covering anything sharp or protruding from the ground.

However, mats can be cumbersome to move around which makes transporting them an important consideration for when you’re planning your sessions and choosing exercise space.

Mats are also great for indoor sessions because the floors in gyms or sports halls aren’t always the most forgiving. However, you may be able to rent mats from the venue rather than purchasing your own.

• Physical 30 Mats and Carry Bag
• Beemat 10 Mats
• Opti Yoga Mat

#4 - Wheeled Carry Case

Although most of the bootcamp equipment in the above sections is directly related to exercise, one thing to consider is how to transport your kit, especially as your collection grows.

With this in mind, it may be worth buying a quality carry case that is sturdy enough to move heavy loads without breaking.

Getting a case with wheels means you can transport your bootcamp equipment further without straining yourself, broadening your options for training locations.

If you get more than one case, you could even sort your bootcamp equipment by session, type of exercise, and type of equipment to make things easier to find when you need them.

Examples include:

• Kipsta 65L Carry Case
• TaylorMade Duffle Bag
• Scott Wheeled Duffle Bag

Tips For Growing and Maintaining Your Bootcamp Equipment

Once you’ve decided on a starting place for your bootcamp equipment list, the next thing to consider is how to effectively look after your kit so you can make the most of what you buy.

#1 - Buy Gradually

One of the most important recommendations we have is to buy your bootcamp equipment steadily. Don’t be tempted to buy everything at once!

You won’t know client numbers until you run some classes so it’s not worth spending money on bootcamp equipment you may not even use.

As you progress through the sessions you’ll have more of an idea what works for your area and clientele.

Besides this, a gradual flow of new bootcamp equipment forces you to stay creative with your sessions instead of relying on your equipment to keep clients coming back.

Gradually buying equipment when starting a fitness bootcamp business means you can make a production from each new item as you receive it, making each session more exciting for your clients. 

You can even offer a throwback or ‘back to basics’ sessions where you only use the items you started with to keep things diverse.

#2 - Check your Quantities

You should always keep your class size in mind when buying bootcamp training equipment. This is because you don’t want to have too much or too little of something that will prevent you from using it in your sessions. 

Keep in mind this doesn’t count spares because having one or two extra sets is simply good sense, in case of damages or a last minute new client.

You’re far better off buying multiples of the same bootcamp equipment with which you can create different training plans and works for your class size rather than buying several different pieces and potentially having to limit your client numbers.

Base the quantity of your bootcamp equipment around your client numbers, not the other way around!

#3 - Buy Quality

As the popular saying goes, ‘buy cheap, buy twice’. Although it’s tempting to buy something low cost, the cheaper option is often of lower quality, meaning you’ll spend more money in the long run. 

Good quality items don’t have to cost the earth, but it’s definitely worth doing your research on the price to quality ratio to make sure you get the most value for money. 

If in doubt, buy something cheap to see how much you actually use that piece of bootcamp equipment. If you’re using a piece constantly, it’s worth investing more money into a better quality option that will last under heavy use.

#4 - Set Aside a Budget

When you’re building your bootcamp fitness equipment collection, try and create a budget as your client base grows and you have a higher income to save from.

Set aside a savings fund for new pieces and add money into it monthly or weekly. Instead of worrying about one large payment, expensive items on your list will feel much more attainable because you’ve been regularly putting money aside.

You could also have an emergency fund to cover any unexpected expenses, like damages or a sudden surge in client growth. This will cover you in the future when you need to make immediate purchases without affecting your day to day spending.

#5 - Look After Your Kit

There’s no sense buying something you don’t know how to use and care for properly. Once you’ve actually bought your bootcamp equipment, make sure you know how to look after it!

This is especially important for any specific indoor or outdoor bootcamp equipment. These will have special care instructions to make them last longer and you shouldn’t get them confused.

Also make sure you’re cleaning and checking your kit regularly to make sure it’s safe and sanitary for your clients. This will also help you spot if you need a replacement before the situation worsens and something breaks.

FAQ

How Do I Get Clients For My Bootcamps?

Knowing how to get personal training clients is hugely important in building a successful fitness bootcamp, with or without equipment. 

The first thing you’ll need to do is consider your desired client demographic. You should ask yourself, what is my:

• Target range?
• Ability?
• Lifestyle?

This will affect what you should offer in your sessions and when you should run them.

One tip is to research your local area to see what your competition is offering, as well as what seems popular so you can find your place in the market.

Try to engage with your prospective client base by getting to know them and find out what they’re looking for in a personal trainer and bootcamp session. This means you will know what to offer to encourage more people to sign up.

You should spread awareness of what you’re offering across your local community, such as with posters, business cards, or word of mouth.

To encourage people to sign on with you, one option is to offer promotions for a limited number of potential clients. 

By offering a discount to the first 50 people to sign onto a bootcamp course, clients will feel like they’re getting a better deal.

You should also make sure there’s an option for your clients to pay monthly or in bulk. Not only is this easier for them but you aren’t having to ask for payment every session and you have a more guaranteed monthly income.

Social media is also important for building your client base. You’ll need to work hard on your online presence to get your name out there as a personal trainer, as well as what it is you’re planning to offer that makes you unique.

Find ways to make you stand out from the crowd! Client engagement comes from them being interested in you and your courses, so consider what makes you unique.

How Do I Plan My Bootcamp Sessions?

Planning your sessions ahead of time is hugely important. Clients will be able to tell if you’ve put the effort in and are more likely to return if they know you’re taking things seriously.

To ensure clients return, you need to be able to listen to their feedback on your sessions. Look for what worked, as well as what didn’t, and listen to what your clients did or didn’t enjoy.

Pay attention to how your clients are reacting during a session. Even if they don’t tell you how they feel about a particular piece of bootcamp equipment, their behaviour will reflect their opinions.

You’ll need to be flexible about what you include in your sessions. Just because you love a particular routine, doesn’t mean it will work in practice - you need to be open to adapting it.

One tip is to have a basic plan or layout you can easily edit to include an exercise or remove one that isn’t working for your group. 

Try to keep a library of different exercises and sequences you can pull out at a moment's notice - ones you know will get your group excited. 

This way you always have something to fall back on in case of an emergency where you didn’t have time to put together a new session.

Remember to plan around the bootcamp equipment you have available, as well as keeping the exercises within the space you’re using.

Plan for how many pieces of ‘heavy’ bootcamp equipment you’re using each session as you need to know the logistics for transporting it.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to get creative! Your uniqueness is what sets you apart from the competition - take advantage of it.

You’ll have the most freedom when it comes to planning your warm ups so try to make them fun and exciting to get your clients pumped for their session.

What To Do If My Client Damages My Equipment?

As accidents happen, it’s likely at some point your bootcamp equipment is going to get broken or damaged by a client.

To cover yourself for when this does happen, always make sure you’re properly protected by your personal training insurance. Shop around for a policy that best suits your needs and make sure you read the fine print!

Part of the usual personal trainer insurance policy includes a provision for damages, with a flat rate of cover that you can increase depending on the cost of your bootcamp equipment.

Insure4Sport specifically offers sports equipment cover to compensate personal trainers if their equipment is lost, stolen, or damaged. 

Even better, following a successful claim, if the equipment is less than a year old, it will be replaced with a brand new item.

Insure4Sport offers unlimited Sports Equipment cover, with a maximum value for one item of £2,500.

Before You Go!

With our advice, you’ll be able to build your dream bootcamp equipment collection from the ground up and make the most of each and every opportunity it can bring you.

If you’re looking to really excel in your career and succeed as a bootcamp organiser, OriGym's Personal Trainer Diploma is just the thing to do that. You can get qualified and start earning in as little as 4 weeks, both in fitness instructing and personal training!

Find out more by downloading our course prospectus and getting in touch with us today!