Field Fit bootcamps have recently launched at Suffolk Food Hall. Emily Cotton trials one of the gruelling sessions.

Ipswich Star: Get fit and healthy with Field Fit bootcamps at Suffolk Food Hall PICTURE: Jhivinie RoseGet fit and healthy with Field Fit bootcamps at Suffolk Food Hall PICTURE: Jhivinie Rose (Image: Archant)

Working out outdoors with a group of likeminded people can be more fun than any gym workout – and more challenging, too, as you push yourself through exercises like squats, burpees and tyre flips on grass (and in mud!).

Based at Suffolk Food Hall in Ipswich, Field Fit is the brainchild of a personal trainer, coach and OCR athlete Jack Carpenter and will be a 3km race-style course with 20+ obstacles designed to be achievable for the masses.

The newly launched training company will also offer bootcamp style sessions which will push participants with a selection of weighted and body-weighted exercises, while simultaneously making the most of the course’s training obstacles such as walls, a rope traverse, balance beams, a training rig and ninja rings.

“For me, obstacle course racing (OCR) is a great sport to be involved in,” adds Jack. “It’s fairly new to the UK, with participation growing every year and more people taking part in the fun races.

Ipswich Star: Get fit and healthy with Field Fit bootcamps at Suffolk Food Hall PICTURE: Jhivinie RoseGet fit and healthy with Field Fit bootcamps at Suffolk Food Hall PICTURE: Jhivinie Rose (Image: Archant)

“In a nutshell, OCRs are running races, typically trail (off road) with varying distances ranging from three up to 20+ miles, which along the way have obstacles, walls, rigs, lifts, and carries that challenge the whole body. There’s probably some water and mud too!

“I started Field Fit because I want to bring a style of training to Suffolk which I truly believe is one that I have found to be the best and most rewarding. One that has led me to my level of athleticism, [Jack competes at an elite level within OCR and is currently ranked 4th in the UK], makes the most of our incredible countryside and, most of all, involves people having fun!”

I headed to Suffolk Food Hall for Field Fit’s first bootcamp session. Jack had already began setting up some of the stations for the circuit we could complete later on in the class, therefore I had a slight clue as to what we would be up to. However, what I didn’t know was how fun it was going to be. Many people find exercise tiring or a chore, but our session was full of fun and active games that kept us moving – therefore it really didn’t feel like exercise.

We started the session with an old fashion game of bulldog, just like the one you used to play at school, to warm up, and then split into two groups for a handful more competitive activities before starting on the circuit. The circuit was made up of 12 stations which we took on in pairs. Completing each exercise with a partner was a nice touch – not only did was it encouraging having someone put in the hard work along side you, it also made you push harder, especially if like me you’re a little competitive.

Ipswich Star: Get fit and healthy with Field Fit bootcamps at Suffolk Food Hall PICTURE: Jhivinie RoseGet fit and healthy with Field Fit bootcamps at Suffolk Food Hall PICTURE: Jhivinie Rose (Image: Archant)

We planked, squatted, ran, crawled, flipped tires and more for around a minute each, and then finished up the session with a couple more team games and a relaxing stretch.

As well as Field Fit bootcamp, Jack will also be running a variety of other sessions from the company’s base at Suffolk Food Hall including Rookie Bootcamp (aimed at beginners), OCR Bootcamp (bootcamp with a muddy OCR twist), Hurt Locker Bootcamp (a unique style of training utilising a container rig system), Teen Bootcamp (ages 12-15) and Toddlers Bootcamp (ages three to five) as well as coaching sessions on the 3km OCR course, SGX Spartan coaching and open play on Saturday afternoons.

Jack adds: “We’ll also be open to book for groups, schools or clubs with tailor made packages, and will be offering 1-2-1 personal training.”

For more information, visit Field Fit’s website, or visit its Instagram or Facebook pages.

Ipswich Star: Get fit and healthy with Field Fit bootcamps at Suffolk Food Hall PICTURE: Jhivinie RoseGet fit and healthy with Field Fit bootcamps at Suffolk Food Hall PICTURE: Jhivinie Rose (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Get fit and healthy with Field Fit bootcamps at Suffolk Food Hall PICTURE: Jhivinie RoseGet fit and healthy with Field Fit bootcamps at Suffolk Food Hall PICTURE: Jhivinie Rose (Image: Archant)