Self-entertainment at Bootcamp Berlin

What is Military Fitness?

Military Fitness is a subcategory of functional fitness. Functional fitness is about keeping the body fit for everyday life and realistic situations, as opposed to bodybuilding, where the focus is on aesthetics, or powerlifting, which focuses on increasing maximum strength. In functional fitness, the goal is to become a well-rounded athlete without neglecting any aspect of fitness. In everyday situations, you need to be not just strong, but also fast and enduring. When climbing stairs, sprinting to catch the train, carrying furniture while moving, or simply bringing home groceries, you don't need to be the strongest, fastest, or most enduring. But you need to be strong, enduring, and fast.

Military Fitness was popularized by Stew Smith, a retired officer in the US Marine and Navy SEAL, who wanted to optimally prepare candidates for the selection process for the Navy SEALs. Military Fitness involves functional fitness in extreme situations; climbing heavily loaded walls, marching for several kilometers with a heavy backpack, pulling a comrade to safety under fire, or pulling the fallen (and supposedly unconscious) climbing partner towards you with a rope.

The skills acquired can also be applied in competitive situations. Those looking to perform well in obstacle races like the Spartan Race or Tough Mudder are in the right place here.

Bootcamp Berlin

Unfortunately, there aren't many opportunities in Germany to improve one's functional fitness. To fill this gap, I have launched Bootcamp Berlin in Berlin. Once a week, for one hour, fitness enthusiasts who not only want to look good but also want to have some skills can let off steam. The training takes place outdoors, in all weathers. Because in real life, you can't always choose the weather!

The first meeting will take place on 18.10.2015 at 10 am at the Soviet War Memorial in Treptower Park in Berlin. Participants should bring sports clothing, a backpack loaded with about 15 kg, and lots of fun. Please confirm in advance on Facebook or Meetup that you will be attending. A contribution of 10€ is also requested.
ILHAN is an engineer and athlete. After a satisfying career in American football, playing for various teams in the first and second Bundesliga, he turned to functional fitness. After a stint in obstacle races and participating in various GORUCK events, he found that Military Fitness is his thing. Now he is trying to bring Military Fitness to Germany.