I'm admittedly not much of a "gym rat." I enjoy classes with friends when I go, but I would not be driven to get to a gym 2-3 times a week to lift weights by myself, just not my thing, even if it is important supplemental training to prevent injury and strengthen my weaknesses. My pal Iron G got a sweet deal through her employer to check out this class: http://www.clevelandfitnessbootcamp.com It was before the holidays and I figured why not do some cross training and keep those holiday pounds at bay while hopefully targeting some of my weak core issues and hanging out with my pals G and TZ.
I intended to just do 10 sessions and be done before indoor track meets started, but I've decided to go to 8 more sessions because I'm having fun and I think I can still derive some benefits from it before Boston training gets too overwhelming.
Despite it's Boot Camp name there are no drill sergeants present. They play good "get your workout-on" tunes and the instructor moves around the room as a class of about 15-20 people move through a workout series. I must say having good tunes is probably one of the highlights for me, somehow doing an exercise to failure is made much easier by being able to sing along with my favorite tunes.
The class is an hour. We do a quick dynamic warm up and then follow it up with a series of exercises. The exercises are different each night and the class is based on timed intervals. AKA one night we might do 10 rounds of 45 seconds on 15 seconds off and repeat the whole series 3 times. The next night perhaps 6 stations with two exercises each repeated for 30 seconds on 10 seconds off 6 times with 1 minute rest between stations. Then the main workout is usually followed up by a "finisher" set which is sometimes just 6-10 new exercises on the same interval, or sometimes a core or body weight emphasized series. Added bonus the class has a plethora of foam rollers so after wards you can get a good stretch! (Much needed by this lunch runner who goes straight back to a desk every day)
I like that different muscles are hit at each station and that you aren't always working the same muscles every class. In addition I like that if you are having an off night you can work as hard or as easy as you want. Since it is timed no one is counting your reps or worrying about what weight you use etc. You get out of it what you put into it!
I'm looking forward to 4 more weeks of classes. While my body is certainly a bit more sore than it would normally be for my Tuesday and Thursday running workouts I figure as long as I am hitting the paces it can only make me tougher!
Only thing that would make the class better is if I could get more friends to join me :) I like to mix exercise with social time since obviously my schedule doesn't allow for too many evenings out. If you are local you should come check out a class! They have a few locations and lots of different times to go!
I convinced Nate to offer up a deal to any of my friends who want to check it out. First week is free so no commitment necessary! While I am obviously using the class to boost my running fitness and can't make any statement about it's benefits to me on weight loss since I don't need to lose weight, I can definitely see how for those with other goals it would provide a boost to weight loss and better body image.
"Check out the site at http://www.ClevelandFitnessBootCamp.com , where you can see the days and times offered and to register by March 1st. You can get 50% off your first month- $99 for 3 sessions/wk for 4 weeks (normally $199) or $79 for 2 sessions per week for 4 weeks (normally $159).
When you register, be sure to use the coupon code below, to get your discount:
ElizabethHansen50"
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