High-Intensity Interval Training at Boots2Lead

Getting ready for training

Photo by Alexander Redl on Unsplash

As an artillery officer in the US Army, Col (R) Reese Turner received extensive military training, most notably from the US Military Academy at West Point and the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, (where he earned a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies). During his 31-year career he held commands and staff positions in several Army posts worldwide, including combat commands in Afghanistan and Iraq. Now retired from the Army, Col (R) Reese Turner heads Boots2Lead, a physical and mental health and wellness program, with lessons in leadership embedded, in Louisville, Kentucky.

Boots2Lead offers high intensity interval training (HIIT). Studies show that while all exercise burns calories and fat, the more intense the exercise, the higher the oxygen consumption, and thus the more calories and fat burned. Depending on ability, HIIT bursts are relatively short, from 30 to 90 seconds, but should push one almost to the limit. However, HIIT isn’t simply a matter of pushing oneself to exhaustion while working out. Rest (the “interval”) is critical because the heart gets its best conditioning when it alternates between the high-intensity bursts of energy and the low-intensity resting intervals (which should be about twice as long as the high-intensity bursts for beginners, and shorter for more seasoned trainees).

In addition to HIIT, Boots2Lead also offers muscle strength and endurance training, high-intensity resistance training, and nutrition and health guidance. Participants are paired with fellow trainees for inspiration, motivation, and accountability, and train for two 1-hour sessions weekly, each starting at precisely 5:30 AM. Finally, Col (R) Reese Turner takes time every session to share his lessons on leadership to help every participant become a better leader. Further information is available from the program’s website at proformanceresults.com/bootcamp.