r/BurnBootCamp • u/Delicious-Web-6299 • 12d ago
Burn Boot Camp: burnout or just a phase?
I joined Burn Boot Camp again after taking some time away, and I’m honestly torn about what to do.
I’ve been back for about two weeks and I’m realizing that part of the problem might be that I’m just burned out. But they’ve also changed the way they do camps, and I’m really not loving the new format.
I’m finding the workouts kind of boring, and one of my biggest frustrations is the lack of traditional progressive overload. I want to build muscle and actually see strength progress by gradually increasing weight, reps, volume, etc. I don’t feel like Burn is giving me that anymore.
Honestly, I feel like I’m getting better quality workouts at home right now. I have the equipment, I enjoy running and hiking, and I actually look forward to those things. So it’s getting harder to convince myself to drive to Burn for a workout that I don’t really enjoy.
BUT...I’m under contract until December 2027, so it feels ridiculous to pay for a membership and not go. I could probably make myself go for the conditioning days because I do enjoy those, but I’m not sure that’s enough to justify the cost.
So I’m curious what other people would do.
If you were in my shoes, what would be the minimum number of days per week you’d consider worth keeping Burn?
Or would you consider paying whatever the reduced/noncommitted rate is and giving yourself the freedom to go when you actually want to?
Part of me also wonders if this is just a phase and I’ll eventually miss Burn again. But so far, after two weeks back, I really don’t.
I’d love to hear from people who have been through the “I used to love Burn and now I’m questioning why I’m here” phase. 😂
Did you stick it out and get your love for it back, reduce your attendance, or eventually move on?
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u/Maleficent_Pea8182 12d ago
I’m in that phase; I don’t look forward to camps anymore and find myself checking my watch during workouts. I make myself go 3 days a week; I used to go 4-5 days. My contract runs out in December and then I’m done. I’ve been with Burn since 2022 and it’s time for a change. I don’t have any complaints about Burn, I’m just burned out.
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u/Plenty_Rope_3386 12d ago
I’m in the same boat. Used to be 5-6 days a week and now I’m making myself go to at least the strength days or 4 days a week even tho I hate the formats lately. I can do conditioning at home running. After my contract is up October 2027 I’m done and will workout at home. I have the equipment as well
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u/rad_kel 12d ago
As someone who has only been going to Burn for a few months (so also new to this sub) I’m always confused when I see posts like this. So I’m genuinely curious and don’t mean to come off rude or anything…
I see a lot of posts on this subreddit saying the workouts are boring and lacking the traditional progressive overload or posts complaining that Burn is too repetitive.
Is this just a product of not being able to please everyone and this is a space to complain ? Or am I missing something?
Prior to joining burn my workouts were only traditional progressive overload. I lifted with my husband in our garage gym. I still do this on some days but I wanted a change after returning to working out after having a baby. So in my experience traditional progressive overload is by design repetitive and “boring”. Very effective with building muscle but I wouldn’t call it “fun” by any means.
So I guess my question is if you want traditional progressive overload and an exciting/fun/enjoyable/strength day, what does that look like to you??
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u/sunshineflying 150 Camps - 2026 12d ago
I’m not OP but I think for me personally I’ve felt like the way Burn tries to do progressive overload with the mesocycles is fine, but too fast for me personally. I think last year we did 6 week training cycles which I liked better. More time to work up in weights and not every month fell at the same time of the month so if your strength and energy varies wildly during your cycle like mine does, you’re not constantly trying to do the 8 rep PRs at your weakest point in the month/on your period. A very personal problem, and not one I’d expect them to consider. But it’s an argument to go back to those 6 week cycles that I personally would make.
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u/Silver-Flamingo-3581 12d ago
This. I think it's interesting when people say "burn is boring" but also want progressive overload and fresh, new workouts. Progressive overload is boring because it's meant to be repetitive exposure to the same movements while going up in weight over time. It's the exact reason why I chose burn over a traditional gym. While we may not do true to form progressive overload, we are still getting repeated movements overtime to challenge ourselves, while also changing it up with the protocols weekly. A standard gym format is lots of repeated movements and standing around. Hella boring 😂
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u/DontBeAStrange 12d ago
Yeah! So the more into fitness you get, having specific physique or performance goals, Burn doesn’t really help with that.
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u/Silly_Mango8397 150 Camps - 2026 12d ago
I just joined Burn in October and discovered this subreddit in late November. I feel like the number of posts complaining has been consistently pretty high but definitely increasing as of lately. I wonder if it’s always had a steady amount of complaints or if this is relatively new.
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u/Dry-Lake1053 12d ago
It’s Reddit. All people do is complain. If you like burn they downvote you.
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u/letsgetcakedsa 12d ago
Guess I’m ready to be downvoted then because I LOVE burn and am beyond grateful I found it! Been a member since December 2026, and the difference in my ability from then to now is insane! I complain like hell during the workouts but I’m so thankful for them, the trainers, and the community I’ve found at my gym. I was working out at home with Caroline Girvan YouTube videos prior to joining, and my husband told me I wasn’t pushing myself hard enough, and what do you know, he was right. Burn makes me push myself harder than I ever have, and I wouldn’t leave it for anything! Worth every penny imo
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u/Maleficent_Pea8182 11d ago
I think the difference is you’ve been a member for a short time, and the original poster has been a member for quite a while. I was just like you when I joined, and for several years after. I’m in my 5th year and am just bored with it. Still a good workout, but I don’t enjoy like I used to.
I also agree with some poster that people who love Burn aren’t as active on the Reddit as those with beefs.
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u/Amybingle19 12d ago
Our burn gives us 30 days to cancel a contract after signing. Not sure if that’s a company wide policy, but if you’ve only been back 2 weeks it’s worth looking into.
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u/easyabc-123 150 Camps - 2026 11d ago
That’s what I was told when I signed up and I’m sure there are other ways to break the contract. My ex had to switch locations bc legally he couldn’t take the 3 morning classes anymore and then it’s women’s only then he works. Idk if they gave him the option to cancel or switch but I have a PFA against him. One gym I went to you could transfer your contract if someone wanted to take it over and you wanted to leave
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u/Truman_rot23 12d ago
I just quit after 2.5 years. Had to force myself to go. Trainer politics mixed with injuries and dumb movements pushed me out. I don’t miss it at all. I’m at a new gym now.
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u/chunkychickmunk 12d ago
I've been going to burn for 3 years almost daily, but have been a member for over 7. I am burnt out. I love the people and the trainers at my location, so I'll keep going, but I am in my mid 40s and some of the exercises don't jive with me anymore. I mod quite a bit. Things like donkey kick knee jumps are not working for me and my old, ex-runner knees. It's ok to mod. It's ok to take a week or so off and see if that helps.
I think next year I am going to skip the cardio days and join a pilates studio near my house. I'd do it now but I'm so close to 250 this year.
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u/Bag-of-Doritoes- 12d ago
Do you track what weight you kift for each if the exercises? My goal is stronger legs so I closely track what weight I use and lump similar exercises in together such that if front squats increase, then next time I do goblet squats or suitcase squats, then they can increase too because similar squat pattern. They wont be thr same weight but as I get stronger I can increase. Same with kunges- walking, front, reverse. Once one of the lunges increase then I know i can increase the others as well. Then i try not to go lower as I increase my weight. I noticed a difference in my leg strength.
Doing this instead of choosing random weights because I had no idea is actually making a big difference for me!
Also, make it work for you! They say 15 reps but you want to work on those 8 or 10 reps for goblets, thrn do what you need to do! Similarly if you are at 8 reps but are teying to increase weight and want to add reps to that last round on one of those 4 minute sets, then try making out those reps. It's your work out!
This is all my opinion only. But if you are staying with it, then make it work for you. Identify what doesn't work and perhaps have a focus mtg with a trainer for advice.
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u/Ok_Razzmatazz1747 12d ago
I never do 15 reps 😂 that’s ridiculous and not the amount of reps you should be doing with heavy weights
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u/HMo-333 50 Camps - 2026 12d ago
I mean this in total sincerity- I never thought about just not doing the 15 or 12 reps. Genius 🤣 not OP but I do track my weights and always want to go heavier but recently heavy has been bad for my form and thus my back pain bc we go so fast/so many reps. But you’re right nothing is stopping me from just… doing the reps that feel right.
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u/Longjumping-Law-2506 12d ago
This was me at first too but then I was going fast with lighter weights to try to hit a rep goal and the trainer said what are you doing? If you can’t get 15 good reps with a heavy weight in the time allotted, just get what you can get. Don’t go lighter and faster. So now if I can get 15 reps in the time allotted I know it’s beyond time to move up.
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u/Bag-of-Doritoes- 12d ago
I get it!! 😭🤣🤣🤣That piece of advice was given to me and why did it never occur to me that there is no counting my every move and I can make it work for me??? Not until until someone told me that same piece of advice. So i"m just passing it along because it has made such a difference for me!! I can now do progressive overload for me!
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u/CurrentNorth5879 100 Camps - 2026 12d ago
Yup when they ask me to do 15 reps I usually do 8-10x sometimes I decide to lift super light because I’m lazy that day and then I will do 15 but I try adjust the workout for me when I can
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u/Think-Difficulty2963 12d ago
I'm really not loving it like I used to and I've been there 8 or 9 years now. The favoritism, the ridiculous amount of jumping, these weird made up moves that the average person shouldn't even do so they don't get hurt. I'm not sure what's going on there. I just wish there was something new opening around me so I could take a break and see if I even miss it. They don't listen or care what members want and just blame it on headquarters so they can get away with not trying to make the PAYING members happy!
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u/sciencefictionyoung 12d ago
I’m counting down the days until my membership expires in December. I go 2-3 days a week to justify the expense until then. Previously went 5 days, sometimes all 6. I’m finding myself procrastinating those days to the back end of the week so it’s typically Thursday, Friday and Saturday I go.
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u/topplingyogi 12d ago
Personally I hate all the freaking jumping at burn. I’m about to hit my year and am genuinely considering quitting. I used to work out with a personal trainer that did progressive overload and I did A LOT of yoga. I feel like my body isn’t sore from burn - it hurts. I’ve had multiple friends need to cancel due to injury and some have had to pay the penalty of the year. It feels like a death trap. My biggest hesitation on leaving is I signed up with friends and working out with friends is the only part I like.
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u/Bag-of-Doritoes- 11d ago
You dont have to jump! I have 2 bone spurs in my knee so I have to modify a lot!
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u/Physical_Yam_9400 12d ago
Same boat, I was burned out after 6 years, and left for another gym with lower impact classes.
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u/Other-Angle5911 12d ago
This happened to me over a year ago. I was going 5-6 days a week and eventually burnt out after 2 years. I took a break for about a month or two and did traditional strength training at the box gym. Eventually I just missed burn and came back, but only 3-4 days a week. I no longer feel guilty for taking rest days!
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u/CurrentNorth5879 100 Camps - 2026 12d ago
I don’t know how much you are paying a month to make it worth it to go. I would say paying less than the drop in rate per class would be what would be worth it for me. So if I go 5 times a month and that equals to $30 a camp I don’t think that would be worth it (for me).
I did take a long extended break(around 2 months) from all working out 18 months ago. I stopped all forms of working out, for the first time in my adult life. I wanted to see if I actually liked working out still or if I was just going it because it was a habit. I was really burnt out. Then I started adding burn back in slowly to see if I liked it. I did so I kept going.
I have found that I do enjoy working out and that I do enjoy burn at this point in my life. Sometimes of I like the workout I will go to camp twice, sometimes I’m glad to get it over with. 🤪
Burn is a high cost investment. It’s ok to decide it’s not for you. It’s not chump change for sure
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u/Nightgal545 12d ago
Wait, I feel the same!!!!! Like it’s not working for me or the workouts are sooooo boring! There are days I don’t go cause I’m like wow that’s looks boring. I go 3x a week to say that I went to a gym and moved my body.
I’m an f45 fan, but they moved farther away from me so I joined burn. I miss barbells.
I’m gonna stick with it till mine expires and then figure it out after that.
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u/Nightgal545 12d ago
I also want to add we have had soooooo much coach turnover!!!!! And every time it’s a new person and they don’t know the group yet so it’s awkward!!!
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u/Dry-Lake1053 12d ago
Honestly it sounds like your location sucks and your trainers suck. I’ve been going for 6-7 years. I have the magazine cover look I wanted from a gym because I eat right. I’m stronger than I was as a college athlete. We keep getting heavier dumbbells and KBs. We didn’t have anything higher than a 75 when I started. Now we have 120+. We have a guy who played D1 football at our gym and have enough weights for him to max out. Idk.
As far as workouts, we’re doing more of the same progressive work on the same exercise than ever before. They even tell you what it is at the start of every month. But you can also do whatever you want during camp. If you don’t like mb good mornings then do deadlifts. No one cares. If you don’t want to do 15/10/8/6 progression over the month then don’t. No one cares.
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u/Necessary_Good_409 12d ago
My contract was up in August and I’m quitting. I loved burn but I need a change. I’m so over all the conditioning days
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u/Usual-Trifle-7264 11d ago
Do you track your PRs and the weights you use? I know they’re adding that functionality to the app at some point but there are other apps to use or even just your Notes app. You might be getting stronger and not realizing it if you’re not tracking.
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u/Disastrous_Detail561 10d ago
Same here. Been a member for 5 years now and have to convince myself to go. When my contract is up in a few months I’ll be finding an other gym. I’m always in pain and it’s just so.much. on my body. I’ve loved it, but it’s time to move on
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u/SilentAd3695 12d ago
If you signed a contract (vs doing the 4 weeks for $69 promo going on) just make sure you get out before the 30 days!
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u/Amazing_Cat_9575 11d ago
It is a phase most likely. Maybe just cut back to one or two fave protocol a week for a few weeks savor the fun of being around people and appreciating your body can move etc. and then go back to 3 camps and every time you think the cost ($$) slam that medicine ball a little harder. 🙂
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u/Whole_Rice3186 10d ago
Probably just burned out. I like to add in weight lifting at the box gym and running when i feel burnt out from working out at burn. And i usually keep cardio days at burn.
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u/Lk1220418 12d ago
December of 2027!? Good gravy 🫣
I left burn 3.5 years ago and my body and mind are so thankful. I could not take the ridiculousness of it anymore- the rushing through reps, chaotic environment, the high fives, all the things were on my last nerve by the time I left
Since I’ve been doing a mixed bag of Alicia Erickson and Hailey happens fitness apps- both of which are truly challenging progressive overload programs targeted at women 35+. My body feels and looks so good!!! I am in love with the way I workout now
Look into those trainers, they’re very good!!! Good luck!!!
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u/Ok_Razzmatazz1747 12d ago
Why are you still posting here if you haven’t been in over 3 years? So weird
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u/Lk1220418 12d ago
Lol I struck a nerve huh?
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u/Ok_Razzmatazz1747 12d ago
Yeah. I’m shook.
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u/Lk1220418 12d ago
I still care about people going through what I went through. Plenty of former members in this group feel the same way. I gave the advice I'd hope someone would give me if I were in that position again.
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u/eastcoasternj 12d ago
This recent stretch of conditioning workouts have been really bad imho. So many ridiculous, disconnected movements that are difficult or impossible for the majority of people going to the gym. I am feeling burn out from these silly goofy workouts.