No1 Bootcamp Norfolk review: a shock to the system but – dare I say it – enjoyable

This serious countryside bootcamp in Norfolk will kick you into shape while also having fun. At No1 Bootcamp Norfolk you can learn new health hacks and receive bespoke tips with the camaraderie of like-minded people – who are all there for one reason, to get fitter, healthier and leaner.

The location

From the camp at Summer Hill House in Heacham you can explore Norfolk’s countryside, including beaches and open green spaces. Nearby, there are a couple of mini supermarkets, though other than water or personal items, you won’t need to go, as you’ll be sticking to a carefully constructed diet.

If you are staying more than a week then you’ll have Saturday off before training recommences on Sunday. There are quaint market towns to visit for a coffee or a spot of shopping. And if you fancy somewhere further afield for the day then Cambridge is a direct train away, or you can go on from there to King’s Cross in London.

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The classes

A typical day at No1 Bootcamp Norfolk would feature roughly six classes; some strenuous, for example AMRAP (as many reps as possible), resistance training, weight training and upbeat boxing – gloves can be borrowed or bought from the shop. Lower intensity activities are integrated such as walks at your own pace with the backdrop of beaches or foliage, to interactive educational seminars on nutrition. My favourite activity was the competition games, in teams – undoubtedly fun fitness. There is also an outing to the local gym which makes for a nice change of scenery and different equipment. Stretching is integrated during the day to make sure your body recovers.

The accommodation

There are a range of rooms in the main house and in the barn outside. I really liked being in the house so I could nip down to the kitchen for herbal tea or up after a movie night in the communal lounge. I stayed in a nice sized room flooded with natural light. It doesn’t scream luxury, but it is comfortable and has charming views over the track and greenery outside. There’s plenty of space to store your belongings and a lounge chair to relax in after post exercise. The shower is decent and there’s room for toiletries.

The facilities

The dining area enables conversation between the guests while seated at large tables together. The guest kitchen has hot water on tap, herbal tea bags, filtered tap water, an ice-making machine as well as a fridge should you want to keep any of your own things cool. The cosy communal room has ample seating, a fireplace and large TV which is great to wind down in-between sessions and swap notes with fellow guests on progression. Outside the grounds are nice and well maintained and the track is pleasant if you want to walk and talk to friends and family on the phone, which I did most days, strangely with energy to do so, even with the rigorous regime. Access to weights, spinning bikes and punch bags is open if you want to top up the exercise. But best of all, you’ll find a friendly furry face in reception from Eva, the bootcamp cockapoo.

The food

The chef ensures all the meals are diverse, nutritionally balanced and most of all tasty. Depending on your goals and weigh-in, meals are individually tailored. Myself and the lovely lady next to me were on the same portion size, which made it easier. Only twice in the week was I still hungry after the meal and having voiced it to the chef, once cleared with the trainer, I was allowed a little more, only a smidgen, as my goal was to lose weight after all, but it made all the difference, mentally. I looked forward to mealtimes and stand-out dishes included salmon caesar salad, bootcamp “fish and chips” (sesame crusted seabass and crushed minted peas), and a burger sans the bread, instead a crisp lettuce leaf – still satisfying, and not forgetting the chocolate protein pancakes with berries and almond yoghurt, delicious.

The verdict

Going from little exercise and routine uninspired during the pandemic, bootcamp was a shock to the system, especially being on the training court for 7am sharp. Luckily the trainers were encouraging rather than brutal and everything was manageable and, dare I say it, enjoyable.

The trainers are intuitive, giving bespoke tips constantly, for example if you historically have a bad back or feeling off for some reason, they will provide alternative exercises, emphasising you doing the best personally instead of keeping up with what’s prescribed to everyone. The camaraderie within the guests, united by firm goals of increased fitness, weight loss or simply time out, was supported by the group activities and walks, the latter being my favourite part of each day. Weigh-in is done on day one and when you leave, using the in-depth “InBody” machine which analyses your body composition from muscle mass, water to fat content, including visceral fat, the “hidden” fat surrounding your organs. I did lose a couple of kilos, but was even more delighted at the reduction in waist measurement. I felt leaner, lighter and perhaps most importantly; stronger.

While several hours training daily is not sustainable going forward, it has spurred me on to think more about how much I move. It’s easy to skip walks in favour of that deadline, or to find an excuse not to do a circuit class. But the difference of doing them, combined with good nutrition is palpable, as proven by the bootcamp.

How to get there and price

Located at Summer Hill House in Heacham, the nearest train station to No1 Bootcamp Norfolk is at King’s Lynn, a 25-minute taxi ride away. Prices start from £1,250; no1bootcamp.com