Absolutely nothing at all.

And that is the most important thing you can think if you are trying to return to a level of fitness.

All too often we have a break from fitness and exercise and then try to return to our former glory in the first session and lose the ability to move for a week which sees the end to the new beginning.

As an exercise coach I was trained to periodise and formalise exercise, plan out every element; each workout, each individual exercise, training phases and cycles to coordinate with events.

That works brilliantly when working with an athlete.

Unfortunately, we're not all athletes. 

We're normal people with jobs, families and lots of other stresses. 

Therefore, the most important part of exercise is that we actually enjoy it.  I don't mean you should be smiling and laughing all the way through a workout (although we do at most bootcamp sessions) but you shouldn't dread leaving the house.

Watching our new housemates over the past 3 weeks has been an eye-opener and led to many discussions between Fran and I on the science of fitness and psychology; we both did sports science degrees and are still pretty geeky about it.

Without any encouragement from us they have had races in the garden.  Ran circles around the paddling pool for a few minutes.  Gone crazy in the soft play and razzed around like lunatics.  Climbed up every possible structure that they can etc etc.

If there's an opportunity to run they take it.

Most of our discussions have been around when do we stop simply doing physical activities for the sake of it.

My kung fu students play chase and race games before the class starts  until they become teenagers and they are too cool for chasing the little ones.

The teenagers still have their games and movement stuff they do before class though.

We think it is when the exercise becomes exercise rather than just enjoying the world and what your body can do in it.

The type of exercise we focus on with our bootcampers is the type that will carry over best in to real life.

Being 'fit' makes life easier.  'Fit' is whatever you need it to mean.

For me at the moment it is being able to keep up with the new housemates on a playground.  They are fearless and will climb on the big kids stuff, that leaves them at risk.  I have to make sure I can move around the structures quickly to let them know I'm there and they are safe but still give them the freedom to explore and take risks.

I've seen too many parents holding their children back because they can't access the climbing frame or aren't able to climb.  

At the moment, fitness to me is being mobile and strong; it's a pity I didn't keep up gymnastics a few years ago that would have been handy.  

In the new year, I will focus on training for an Ironman again. 

Exercise needs to be fun and provide you with the tools  to thrive not survive your life.  

You should look forward to going and feel good in the body you wear (that's not anything to do with shape but feeling good).

If you don't, it might be time for a change.

We start fresh on Monday 3rd October - www.achievebootcamp.co.uk

Darren 'aching from bouncy castles' Checkley