A Day in Fitness Boot Camp
Most people know what to expect in a gym, but I’ve found there are a lot of people curious about outdoor boot camps. It sounds intimidating, but it really isn’t. Read on to see what our day is like:
5:15 a.m.: Rise and shine! (Okay, maybe that should say rise, yawn and stretch, then try not to trip over the dog or anything else while leaving the bedroom). Drink some water, grab a snack (string cheese and a piece of fruit, half a zone bar etc.) check the weather conditions and dress appropriately. This is essential in winter, when a few degrees or a little wind can make a big difference in the number and type of layers that are necessary. (In summer, you just wear as little as possible every day!).
5:30 a.m.: Hop in the car, drive to the park.
5:45 a.m.: Check in, drop my keys in the tub and give my food log to an instructor. The instructor gives feedback about the day and provides advice, such as good options for breakfast. If our choices were not so good, our book goes in a special pile, and we get to spend a couple of extra minutes working out at the end of the session! Those extra minutes remind us to make better choices that day.
After checking books, we chat with fellow campers before the workout. Usually we speculate as to what the workout will be that day (it is always a surprise!), or what body part is sore from the day before.
6 a.m.: Time to work out! We start with a warm up and then it is time for the main event. Every day a different workout is planned for us. We do different workouts in different areas of the park, so we start to get an idea of what we will be doing by what direction the leader takes us.
If we head toward the stairs, we may be doing a workout where we run (or run/walk, depending on your ability) the full loop, then three quarters, then half, and then one quarter. Our goal is to get faster with each shorter distance.
Stopping at the playground means triceps dips, decline push-ups, stepping up with one foot for a minute and then the other, or our favorite Bulgarian split squats, propping one leg up behind us on the wall and squatting with the other.
Cones in the meadow generally indicate a combination sprint/calisthenics drill, where we do an exercise such as sit-ups for a minute then sprint, skip or shuffle around the cones and back for another minute of something else. Instructors make sure everyone is working out at the correct intensity – they know who is capable of all-out effort for the full minute and who is doing well to finish 10 sit-ups.
The camaraderie and encouragement from instructors and other campers is tremendous, and everyone feels included and supported throughout the workout. Every exercise can be modified based on ability levels or injuries. When necessary, we are divided by ability level so that those of us with less ability don’t hold back more athletic campers. The instructors make sure that no one is left alone as we make our way through the park.
6:40 a.m.: Finally, time for the cool-down. The instructors lead us through a series of stretches before we collect our logs and keys to head out.
6:45 a.m.: As I drive home I feel a great sense of accomplishment, both from completing a difficult workout and from knowing my workout is done for the day.
