Fitness boot camps are a great alternative to the tedious and dull exercise routines that most follow in order to stay fit. Because they are done in a fast-paced and challenging way, boot camps provide a great alternative to those who seek to lose the weight without losing the fun. Plus, the camaraderie developed among members of a fitness boot camp provide that much needed emotional support for individuals who are on the same road towards shedding those unwanted pounds.

However, you don't have to join a boot camp to experience the immense benefits offered by its exercises. You can do a whole boot camp routine on your own to enhance cardiovascular and muscular strength as well as get the benefits of a full body workout for improved agility, flexibility and joint mobility. If you have any preexisting medical condition or injury, make sure that you check with your physician to see if these workouts are fit for you.

Start your boot camp regimen with warm ups. Run in place, jumping jacks or walk. Do this for 5 to 10 minutes, resting for one to two minutes. Don't skip this as warm ups are necessary to prevent muscle strain. As soon as your rest period ends, do the main exercises for about a minute each. Pause for about 10 seconds after each exercise. Then move on.

*The Push ups. Make sure that your entire body is in a straight line with palms slightly wider than shoulder width apart as you do the push-up. Gradually, lower your body down and push up explosively.

*Y Squats. With your feet shoulder width apart, put your arms up in the air so that you form a really wide Y. Don't lean ahead as you sit back into a deep squatting position. Make sure that your weight is on your heels as you push from your glutes when you return to the starting position.

*Planks. Lie face-down on your floor or have a pad with your elbows positioned underneath your chest. Prop yourself up onto your elbows and forearms while keeping on your toes and making sure that your back is flat and your hips don't sag. If you can hold for 30 seconds, that is ideal. But a few reps of 10 seconds each might be sufficient if you're still starting.

*Walking Lunge. Begin at one end of the room or field. Step your right leg forward. Then, bend both knees to 90 degree angles as you lower your body into a lunge, making sure to keep your front knee behind the toe. Then, bring the left foot forward and again step into a lunge. Continue the motion, alternating legs for about 30-60 seconds.

*Side Planks. Do one pushup but when you come up, put your weight to only your left arm as you twist to the side. Bring your right arm up towards the ceiling in a side plank. Lower the arm back to the floor. Do another pushup and then twist to the left side. Repeat for 30-60 seconds.

*Plyo- Jacks. With feet together, jump up. As you jump, take your feet out to the side, circle your arms overhead and land in a squatting position. Jump up again and bringing your feet back together, circle your arms back in. Repeat for 30-60 seconds.

Always end your boot camp exercises with 5 to 10 minutes of stretching and cool down exercises. You can vary the routines above, repeat them or do them for longer periods. Doing these boot camp exercises even for just 12 minutes will certainly go a long way towards giving you the fit body you've always wanted.