bootcamps? are they worth it?

[Guest]

So I am thinking about attending a natural game boot camp in Austin. The company is PUA Training, ltd. Does anyone have experience with these bootcamps? Are they worth it?

[Guest]

Though it isn't directly related to PUA Training, Ltd...there are quite a few threads about the general outlook on boot camps. Search!

[Guest]

Your point is well taken.

I did do a search before posting, seemed most of the results were from mid - 2009 and except for you and BR, and Playercool, there are not any still active members that participated. Concerning the bookcamps, I found a bunch of mixed feelings about them. Maybe that's still the case a year later, but wanted to ask after it anyway, and wanted to get the take on the guys that seem dedicated to this. I did read BR's post that he had never been to one, and I agree with his point about needing a lair.

[Guest]

Well, my opinion on them is that they are not worth the money. Being a part of an active lair is more than enough 95% of guys will need. Now, you see the obvious problem with that...the [I]active [/I]part. Our lair is a little stagnant at the moment. But, I think your time/money would be better spent involving yourself with the lair folks than with some "guru."

I've never even heard of that company you're considering. I'd do a ton of research on them before signing up.

[Guest]

It's funny you bring up an active / stagnant lair. I reached out to another regular on the forum today about getting a meet-up set up for August. Since I am a bit north of you guys, I definitely need some help in terms of venue. I think the most lively place I have been to in Dallas/Ft.Worth has been Cool River.

If anyone is interested in working with me to set this up, I think August is far enough out that we could all clear our schedules a bit.

[Guest]

First off, I have never taken a bootcamp so my opinion may be worthless. With that being said, I have met many puas that have taken bootcamps and regurlarly sarge with an instructor so I can offer some useful insight.

Before taking a bootcamp, you need to identify your pick up style. Do you like direct or indirect? Will RSD or AsianPlayboy's philosphy mesh with your style? Etc. Once you have a good idea of your style, pick a school (or comapny) that teaches techniques that resemble what you want your pick up style to be (or is).

Most bootcamps will teach you the fundamentals. Opening, dhv, body language, tonality, etc. So whether you should take a bootcamp is determined by your skill level. If you are past the begginner level, a bootcamp may still offer good insight, but will prob not offer much value as you are already at the intermediate level. Having said that, no matter how good you are, you can always learn something new, even from a noob.

I see pick up like jeet kune do. Use what works. Sometimes direct, sometimes afc. This is something you'll learn as you becme more experienced. Pick up should flow naturally, not rigid, sonone school is bot always right. I do believe that everyone should read MM because that set the foundation for almost everything pick up related.

So if you have the extra time and cash, I say take a bootcamp, it'll only help. If you do take a bootcamp, I suggest taking AFC adam Lyons bootcamp which is taught out of Austin (make sure he's teaching the course). The reason I'm reccommending him is because I've heard him speak and he is a great teacher and you can prob learn ALOT from him...

[Guest]

[QUOTE="Prodigy"]Before taking a bootcamp, you need to identify your pick up style. Do you like direct or indirect?[/QUOTE]

I haven't really sarged enough to know what my style is. I'm looking for some structured guidance to help me identify this. That's one of the reasons I am considering a bootcamp.

[QUOTE="Prodigy"]So if you have the extra time and cash, I say take a bootcamp, it'll only help. If you do take a bootcamp, I suggest taking AFC adam Lyons bootcamp which is taught out of Austin (make sure he's teaching the course). The reason I'm reccommending him is because I've heard him speak and he is a great teacher and you can prob learn ALOT from him..[/QUOTE]

The company [URL="http://www.puatraining.com/bootcamps/us"]PUATraining[/URL] that I'm looking at is a partnership (I guess) between Adam Lyons and Richard La Ruina (Gambler). That's why I thought it would be cool to go to it because Adam Lyons is supposed to teach all the bootcamps. Verifying this with the company has been pretty hard though. I've emailed and left messages. I'm not about to send 1300$ down a deep dark hole without at least talking to someone. That's what makes me pretty nervous about this thing.

[Guest]

Traxxus,

My opinion is that you should get some experience first, especially when it comes to opening. Bootcamps usually focus on the first few minutes on the interaction, and then discuss other parts of the seduction. You will get the MOST out of the bootcamp you take if you have some experiences under your belt, good or bad.

For example, can you open almost consistently? If not, that's something to work on before the bootcamp, because you don't want to spend all that money only to have the instructors try to coach you through approach anxiety. Furthermore, you want to be able to consistently implement what you have learned.

I haven't met either Adam Lyons or Gambler, but hearsay on Lyons is that he's a good instructor. Gambler's rep isn't so good.

And make sure they have a money back guarantee (none of that "You can ask for your money back after sitting in for 3 minutes of the bootcamp" but a full guarantee you can ask for right AFTER the training). This way, the most you will lose is time.

[Guest]

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I am going to hold off on this for now. Since no one from that company is returning my calls or emails, I'm certainly not going to do business with them.

Also, seems that the best thing to do is continue to work on myself. It is gratifying to me that so far I've dropped 30 lbs. I'm slowly and painfully getting better at approaches.

[Guest]

[QUOTE=Smirks;36530]Well, my opinion on them is that they are not worth the money. Being a part of an active lair is more than enough 95% of guys will need. Now, you see the obvious problem with that...the [I]active [/I]part. Our lair is a little stagnant at the moment. But, I think your time/money would be better spent involving yourself with the lair folks than with some "guru."

I've never even heard of that company you're considering. I'd do a ton of research on them before signing up.[/QUOTE]

According to your facebook profile you are friends with Adam Lyons who is an affiliate with Pua training. A search for Puatraining provides multiple results.

A bootcamp is a great idea if you have the money. You will learn the most up to date info that is available. You will have the ability to express insecurities and concerns that you have with someone you dont know personally and have them addressed. They will judge you and give you advice and address issues they recognize.
This is what they do, it is a company, they have taught thousands of guys.
However you will only get out of the bootcamp what you put in. If you dont ask for help you may not get direct help from an instructor. It really is a good idea to have some experience before you go but not necessarily. It just depends on what your sticking points are and to what degree. If you feel like you are going to have an anxiety attack before you open a mixed set, you might wanna address that before you go to a b/c, but again not necessary.