Health & Beauty: Stick the boot in

It may be springtime, but when the frightfulness of the weather is matched by the rolls of fat accumulating around one’s belt, an indoor boot camp holds tremendous appeal. There will be no press-ups in the rain, or knees caked in mud.

But that’s not to say that the instructors cheerfully barking commands at the front of the room are going to let you take it easy – no way.

Riccardo Scala, BSC, is the brains behind this operation. A celebrity trainer (he recently put Scarlett Johansson through her paces while she was filming in Glasgow) and the owner of FIT Concepts, the Glasgow native has worked as a personal trainer both here and in Los Angeles.

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You can choose from 30 or 40-minute classes, which are offered at a variety of times, Monday to Saturday. So if you are a lark keen to train at 6:30am, or an owl who prefers working up a sweat after knocking off work, you will find something to suit.

All the sign-up is automated, so once you create an account you can register for time slots (or delete them if your plans change) online. But there’s a clever twist - if you then don’t attend, you’re docked £5. As a motivational tool it’s pretty genius. It’s not too punitive, but provides a strong incentive to turn up. You can attend as many classes as you like each week, and can move between the Glasgow and Edinburgh locations, if that suits you.

Classes are high-speed and punishing. There’s a lot of leaping and squatting, pressing up and kicking out, and the goal is to keep moving at all times. Thankfully, the instructors are not brutal drill sergeants. Nor should you be intimidated by your fellow boot campers: fitness levels vary, and a real sense of camaraderie develops in short order.

The instructors aim high, but everyone is advised to work at his or her own pace. If you’re struggling they make time to offer quick one-on-one help, indicating ways to perform modified versions of the exercises that will enable you to build stamina and technique. All exercises are done using your own body weight, so there’s no special equipment required.

Riccardo offers a range of contracts of varying duration and prices, plus options for paying over time, rather than all at once. And once you’re in the fold, you get access to all of his fitness and nutrition expertise. In my experience, he’s never too busy to answer an email or offer encouragement. If you can stand the pace, this is a great way to get back into your jeans.

LEE RANDALL

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