AS part of the on-going campaign “Livewell” encouraging people to live healthy, active lifestyles, Maldon District Council is running boot camps in Maldon and Burnham.

If you take a walk through one of the many district parks during early mornings, late afternoons or perhaps on a weekend, you’ll often spot a group of people of all ages and sizes attempting press-ups, sprints and squats at an outdoor boot camp class.

In recent years boot camps have seen a large increase in participation around the UK, and the Maldon district is following this trend.

These boot camps are held in Promenade Park and Riverside Park, with an additional buggy boot camp for mothers in the prom.

A spokesman for the council said: “Getting fit in the great outdoors is a sociable and fun way to exercise and for some people an hour in the fresh air easily beats pounding a treadmill in a gym.

“Army-style outdoor training is bound to sound intimidating at first but persevere and soon you’ll be dipping and lunging like a pro. Your instructor will assess your current level of fitness and help you progress on a weekly basis, the motivation and support from the instructor and the other class attendees is a great show of camaraderie.

“It is not unusual to see some great results and body transformations within a few weeks from attending boot camp training 3 – 4 times per week. The health, fitness and wellbeing benefits are fantastic and include a decrease in body fat, increase cardiovascular efficiency, increase strength.

“There are many other benefits which include improved mental health. It has long been known that regular aerobic exercise can help to reduce high blood pressure, hypertension and combat stress.”

Ben Page, the council’s Health Improvement Officer, said: “Group activity in the form of boot camp can elicit significant positive physiological changes. Exercising as part of a group not only contributes to physical changes but can impact upon mental health as well.

“It is rewarding to see one another progress whilst the group can provide encouragement, commitment and valued companionship.”

Classes are held in the Prom on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7.30pm (9am Saturdays) with Riverside Park sessions held on Monday evenings and Saturday mornings.

Buggy boot camp sessions are held on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Visit www.visitmaldondistrict.co.uk.