Drop and give me FITNESS
From military-inspired to mom-friendly, there's a boot camp to fit every personality and fitness goal.
Julie Kucinski hated getting out of bed in the morning. She couldn't look at herself in the mirror. Her pants barely buttoned.
"Sauvignon blanc and fried foods were my essential daily food groups," she said. "I couldn't stick to an eating or exercise program for more than 48 hours."
Then the Minneapolis resident did what the American Council on Exercise predicts more people will do this year: She joined a boot camp.
The increasing popularity of boot camps may reflect a cost-saving shift away from more expensive personal training. (A one-on-one session with a personal trainer can run up to $100 an hour, while most boot camp sessions range from $14 to $35.) And some fitness experts say the no-frills workouts have gotten a boost from extreme weight-loss shows such as "The Biggest Loser."
At Lifetime Fitness centers, which offer 12-week boot camps as well as targeted group fitness programs, participation increased 11 percent in the first quarter of 2010. The group approach may be part of the appeal.
"Boot camps push you 10 to 20 percent harder than you would on your own," said Phil Timmons, national program manager for Lifetime's T.E.A.M. fitness programs. "The group setting feeds that energy."
The goal of most boot camps is to help people increase cardiovascular fitness, build strength and burn fat. But unlike the drop-and-give-me-50 boot camps of yore, today's programs cater to a variety of fitness levels, goals and lifestyles.
Kucinski chose the Shed It boot camp at the Shed Fitness Studio in south Minneapolis. At six days a week for seven weeks, it's a rigorous program. In addition to morning classes of interval training, running, yoga, strength training and spinning, "campers" check in regularly with their trainer, attend group discussions and follow customized nutrition plans.
"You don't go home and figure the rest out on your own," says co-owner Katie Lewin. "No one ever feels like they're alone."
The group mentality has a maternal bent at Blooma in Edina, where moms bond while building pelvic-floor strength at the yoga studio's pre- and postnatal boot camps. The studio also offers weeklong Blooma Goes Outdoors boot camps to help moms transition to having kids home for the summer. After dropping off their little ones at the studio, where day care and breakfast are provided, campers head to a nearby park for hill runs, yoga and meditation.
Nine months after giving birth to her second child, Sara Afdahl decided that her workout routine wasn't cutting it.
"My core felt weak. My back would give out. I wanted to tone up the last bit of post-baby weight," she said.
Afdahl enrolled in CorePower's boot camp, two weeks of alternating strength- and circuit-training classes designed to jump-start metabolism and increase cardiovascular endurance. In addition to attending the camp six days a week, participants are strongly encouraged to get in a second daily workout. The one-two punch paid off: Afdahl lost 2 inches off her waist and toned her hips and thighs. "I pushed myself harder than I normally would. With two kids, my workouts need to count," she said. "It has to burn."
Nowhere does it burn more than at Sergeant Peterson's boot camp. In a bare-bones basement gym near Lake of the Isles, former Army man Tim Peterson and his company of trainers lead groups through a series of military-style drills: jumping jacks, push-ups, bear crawls, burpees. Although the workouts aren't for the faint of heart, they attract everyone from serious athletes to sorority girls seeking rapid results.
"I noticed a huge change within two weeks, and I only came twice a week," says camper Kevin Zimmerman. "They work you to failure. That's what your body needs."
For Julie Kucinski, boot camp was exactly what she needed.
"Not to get all Oprah, but Shed It didn't just change my body -- it changed my life. I quit a very secure job to start my own business. I changed my relationships. I feel like a different and better and happier and more successful person."
Minneapolis writer and lifestyle expert Elizabeth Dehn is the founder of BeautyBets.com
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May 21, 2013 - Cardio Boot Camp 5:15PM - 6:15 PM - Francis
Time and details - SGT Peterson's Minneapolis, MN Directions?
About "Just because it’s called "Cardio Combative's", doesn't mean you get to show up and punch each others lights out, it’s a non-contact martial arts / self defense workout." - SGT Peterson We believe in do things differently; we truly believe in challenging the status quo. The way we do that is with our proven process for continuous improvement in Cardio Combative's. The name Cardio Combative's was inspired by the US Army’s Modern Combative's Program. It starts with taking a hybrid of more traditional versions of Martial Arts strikes, kicks, elbows, knees, and calisthenics from the following disciplines Muai Thai Kickboxing, Boxing, Taekwondo, Akido, Brazilian Jui Jitsu, Gracie Jui Sitshu, Shinbudo, and Karate. SGT Peterson meticulously put these together to make them more cardiovascularly demanding by adding a few of his old tricks of tricks. Participants will also learn basic training on how to take Rubber Guns and Knifes from attackers, along with how to defend your self from various threats depending on what weapons you may or may not have. The proven process has taken years of collaboration and learning between SGT Peterson and many other professional martial arts instructors across the world (US, Japan, South Korea, Brazil) Cardio Combative's is truly a unique Mixed Martial Arts workout experience. It will make a MMA veteran's hearts pound, while being flexible enough for beginners to jump right in and not feel like they are lost in the crowd. We promise that everyones hearts will feel like jumping out of your chest, and you will drip sweat like you never have before. This workout is SGT Peterson’s most cardiovasculary demanding workout that he has ever created, and is a must for anyone that wants to lose weight. This is the fastest way to drop inches and pounds. If you believe what we believe, maybe you should try a Cardio Combative's workout with us today. We make great workouts that are the most effective workout for the use of your time. The workouts and trainers will continually challenge you to achieve your personal version of excellence. We have a military inspired team building process and never leave anyone behind, and we provide our great workouts any time / anywhere (schools, parks, homes and even on a beach at the Saint Croix River - we had to take a dinghy life raft filled with medicine balls and exercise matts). If your you’re a leader, business person, athlete, military service member, mom, dad, or trainer who wants drip sweat, and get your heart pounding. If you want your muscles to burn, shake and be sore the next day, then Cardio Combative’s is exactly for you. If that’s not you, and you have a buddy this would be perfect for, the biggest compliment we could ever receive is a referral. And remember, if you don’t move you get fat, so fill out the form on the first page our call in today to get started now! Don’t wait, we have limited space. Workout Times Tuesday 4:45 - 5:45 PM, Thursday 4:45 - 5:45 PM All Cardio Combative's workouts are 60 minutes long. Please see the bottom of SGT Peterson.com for the updated workout calendar each day before your workout.
May 21, 2013 - Cardio Boot Camp 6:30PM - 7:30PM - Francis
Time and details - SGT Peterson's Directions?
Dynamic Warm Up Phase 1 _____/3 Must use continuous, high-intensity, cardio, agility and/or kickboxing exercises with no MMF Water Break _____/1 Phase 2: _____/3 Must use continuous, high-intensity, cardio, agility and/or kickboxing exercises with no MMF Water Break _____/1 Phase 3 _____/3 Must use continuous, high-intensity, cardio, agility and/or kickboxing exercises with no MMF Practicality/safety _____/3 (all or nothing) Workout must be balanced AND safe Every push up or shoulder press must be opposed with a mid-back exercise at some point Exercises requiring agility, stability and/or using plyometric motions must be done prior to bringing that muscle to MMF No trapezius exercises Workout must contain at least one rotator cuff exercise Workout must contain at least one glute/core strengthening exercise Dynamic Cool Down
May 22, 2013 - Top Gun Performance 7:15PM - 8:30PM - Francis
Time and details - SGT Peterson's Directions?
See the video http://topgunperformanceschool.com/ GT Peterson guarantees you will get quicker, faster, stronger, and or jump higher in 30 days, or we train you until you do! 14 year plus veteran Sergeant (SGT) of the US Air Force and current US Army Sergeant (SGT) Peterson, and his five star staff including Chris Johnson former NFL Middle Linebacker for the Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, and former Captain of the SDSU South Dakota State University Jackrabbits. Lead speed & agility performance workouts that are the most effective workout for the time. SGT Peterson's Proven Process for Performance is largely inspired by his multiple trips to the world famous Parisi Speed School in Fairlawn, NJ where he consulted with Bill Parisi himself in 2008. 2006-2008 SGT Peterson was the Head Strength and Conditioning coach for Minneapolis South Football, and was a Varsity Football Assistant Coach. His proven process has produced the winner of the 2009 Tampa Marathon, a 2009 World Pound Hockey Champion, MN State Champion competitor Track Athletes, multiple Minneapolis All City Football Players, US Soldiers, US Airman, US Sailors, and US Marines. SGT Peterson's first athletic trainer was perennial All Pro Center, and former Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Matt Birk (Minnesota Vikings, and Baltimore Ravens). With that said, lets look at the ways you can get working on your quickness, strength, agility and jumping ability today!
SGTPetersons: Hey guys make sure you have your calendars marked for our spring party on March 21st. Come join us for a couple drinks and some hot tubbin'!
Published 02/27/13 @ 11:01 pm
SGTPetersons: New blog post: How do you take the 'work' out of 'working out'? http://t.co/axJAqoam Enjoy!
Published 02/13/13 @ 8:39 pm
SGTPetersons: New blog post: How Can You Surround Yourself With Signs For Success? (Don't make fitness such a difficult task!) http://t.co/esnPuboP
Published 01/25/13 @ 8:10 pm
Hidden Costs of Gym Membership
By SGT Peterson
This is interesting, we a SGT Peterson’s are not in the membership game for many of the reasons in this video, let us know what you think...
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Published 05/01/13 @ 7:50 pm