Boot camps in parks in the early morning are becoming familiar sites in a number of cities. People go to boot camps because they are much more affordable, they can train among peers, and are very accessible because most of the boot camps are held in parks near their residences. It is a very convenient way for a number of people to get in shape.
However, the noise made by
boot camps in parks has sparked a controversy among some of the residents living near these parks and beaches.
Last October 2010, Manly councilor Craig Whitting proposed to review the councils code of practice for personal trainers with the aim of reducing noise problems for local residents. He would like to review the operation hours of trainings sessions and the distance they have to be from residences. This is to address complaints from North Steyen and Queenscliff Beaches to ban training sessions before 7AM and to restrict trainings to at least 50 meters from the boundary of any residential property. In Gold Coast, some trainers and clients were even subjected to abuse and pelted by tomatoes by irate residents. Classes are now being warned off until an official policy for commercial fitness classes in public areas are made effective. A permit system is being considered and may be enforced in early 2011.
Some trainers have expressed hesitations regarding these restrictions. Trainer Andrew McKee believes that placing further restrictions can greatly affect a lot of businesses. He points out that the noise generated by boxing gloves is negligible compared to the noise of cars and trucks. Richard Lewis also notes that these new rules can deter people from outdoor exercise since many are only available for early-morning sessions. Patrick Timmins asserts that it is nonsensical to discourage trainers when Australia is facing a major problem with obesity.
Some personal trainers such as Chris Van Hoof believe that there should be proper consultation among all the parties involved. He approves the councils move to license operators. Also, Justine Jones supports a permit system as long as they are not too expensive. Some councils, such as in Brisbane City are not considering a licensing system while those in Sunshine Coast and Cairns charge fees instead.
Some people ask why it is necessary to shout during exercise. People shout in boot camps because they enjoy the type of training. The drills and the screams motivate and push people to work themselves to their max. Scientific research supports the notion that shouting during exercise allow people to exert much more force than without. In a study made by Ikai and Steinhaus in 1961, it was found that shouting tend to improve performance and it was more noticeable among untrained subjects than trained athletes. They emphasized that in every voluntarily executed, all-out maximal effort, psychological rather than physiologic factors determine the limits of performance. Other studies such as those by Collins, Burke, and Gandevia in 2002 have shown that adrenaline increases the individuals ability to recruit all relevant motor units maximally. Therefore, the habit of shouting during the critical stage of an athletes effort helps in recruiting all motor units maximally, and thus provides more power.
Admittedly, the noise in the early mornings can be annoying. But all residents near parks or beaches should anticipate noise in these areas. Parks and beaches are places where people gather and there will always be noise. In Brisbane, there are very few places where there is a park far from densely populated areas. People who want to exercise have no other choice but these parks or the gym.
City councils should look for ways to motivate people to seek more active lifestyles. Placing restrictions in something that actually combats obesity, such as outdoor exercise, can send the wrong signals to the people. Personal trainers actually earn less for outdoor classes than in gyms, and they are doing the people favor by offering fitness classes at a very affordable price. Even the average person can afford these outdoor boot camps. If noise is the problem, city councils should find a way to provide more areas where people can freely exercise and shout as they need. There is technology available as well that can control the noise level, and this should be taken into consideration as well.
For the mean time, Executive Results have already instructed their trainers to keep their noise down especially in the morning boot camps. However, it has severely affected the quality of their training. While the new rules are still being made, residents, city officials, and trainers, should take a closer look at the issue at hand. The health benefits offered by these outdoor classes significantly outweigh the noise. If the government seriously wants to battle obesity among the populace, it should support initiatives that promote physical activity, and not hinder them.
