BOOT CAMP: NOT A PHRASE that previously would have caught my eye, but after reviewing our finances, and my butt, I realized that while personal training was no longer an option, something must be done to continue the healthy workout routine I’d adopted. What I never expected was to discover a brand new sisterhood in the bargain.
Two years ago, in a run-up to major surgery, I joined Gold’s Gym, and spent the first weeks on the treadmill while observing the styles of various personal trainers. I chose Carole, not only because she is in astonishing shape, but because I knew from experience that a young buff male would never do, and that I’d prefer someone who knows what it takes to maintain a woman’s body of this age. A former professional polo player, as well as record-holder at the gym in several strength-and-endurance-related feats, Carole is in better shape than anyone I know.
She and I got me to surgery. More to the point, we got me back at the gym after surgery. Good for us. But now, deep into this recession, my finances demand that I back off. What to do?
Enter Boot Camp, my gym’s idea of affordable, kick-ass, small-class, supervised workouts. I admit that at first the name really threw me: I envisioned something decidedly male and militaristic. It’s neither. It’s wonderful. And it’s my new favorite sisterhood.
Three of us, plus Carole, meet twice a week for the hardest, most heart-pounding, intelligent, well-constructed, full-body work-out I’ve ever had. (And I’ve been working out in gyms since I was the only girl in the college weight room in the 1970s.) All women of a certain age, we are all also former personal training clients of Carole, so while we know how to do things, we also know that our success depends on not hurting ourselves–not easy to do at this age–and that the supervised sessions really ensure against the threat of injury.
“Knees over your toes,” is the thing I hear most when squatting. Ah, yes. That feels better. “Shoulders back,” she reminds me when I do my lat pull-downs. She’s right, as well as right there with us, and for us. The price? $199 for 12 sessions. Every session is an experience in both personal best and shared success. Worth it? Every dime.
Boot Camp. Not where you’d think you’d find a sisterhood, is it?
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
THANK YOU for the wonderful compliments. I delight in the accomplishments of my clients. Its exciting for me to see everyone flourish under my tutelage. My goal when I began my journey was to empower others as someone had once empowered me. The state of the obesity rates in the America and how it adversely effects all of us in cost, time and life is horrific- Bottom line our Health is our Wealth, without which none of us can help others or our selves.
Now get down and do 20!!!!
I’m here to testify as the big sister that you have never looked better than since you have had the Carole influence in your life. Glad you found each other.
Hey there, Carole. Nice to see you outside the gym, though it’s difficult for me to type while giving you those 20 you demand. I am so grateful for your great instruction, and hope everyone gets to the gym and demands some Boot Camp. Onward!
Hey, sister. Thanks. I so appreciate that. And I certainly feel better than I’ve ever felt. Boot Camp! Who knew?
I miss the boot camp of the yoga class in my former city. When I was feeling too tired for the evening class (a hard, sweaty 1.5-hr strength-stretch-love fest), it was the thought of the (mostly) sisterhood that got me to go. Smiling and laughing with them while we were all struggling to do things we probably wouldn’t on our own was the ticket. Without them and my teacher, winter’s pretty long and much more sedentary.
Hi, Lynn. Yes, the sisterhood of it is significant for me, and keeps me showing up as much as does the exercise. And we do laugh. I’d like to say we laugh our asses off, but we all know you’ve got to work those glutes to get the butt to diminish. Come back soon.