Fittest Loser contestants bond at boot camp
BOOT CAMP.
The very mention of this challenge invokes images of crusty drill sergeants breaking in new recruits.
Fitness instructors rely upon this military-style of training to enhance their clients' workout results. Designed as a high intensity circuit of exercises, fitness boot camp runs team members through diverse trainings in rapid successions. It's moving fast through the pain, to reach the gain.
Push Fitness owner Josh Steckler includes weekly boot camp sessions as an integral part of the Fittest Loser contest.
“Our boot camp is a great opportunity for contestants to spend time together and progress as a group,” explains Steckler. “This is a competition, but we want the contestants to work with each other, while supporting everyone's efforts.”
What makes Push Fitness boot camps unique is their attention to every detail. “Our boot camp is designed to push each contestant's cardiovascular limitations while training every muscle we can,” says Josh. “Everyone here is working hard to get the contestants' health back on track,” Josh says. “Being part of a group that is striving to succeed at the same goal is a powerful motivator, and hopefully that motivation will carry on long after this competition is over.”
Now one-third of the way through this competition, the contestants give their take on the challenges, the pains and the gains of Push Fitness boot camp.
Mel Boldt
From the beginning of this contest, Mel dedicated himself to the big picture of improving his health. “When I signed up, I didn't consider all the details, including the Push Fitness boot camp,” says Mel. “I thought it would be exciting for all of us to get together every week, as part of the competition.”
But the challenge is often in the details.
“When I heard boot camp started at 6:30 a.m., I lost some of my excitement,” Mel admits. “I've never been a morning person
and it's difficult for me to give 100 percent at that early hour.”
Morning fog aside, Mel sees the rewards. “I like workouts with different trainers, experiencing new methods. All of us work out together well. When I see another competitor really pushing hard, I give encouragement.”
Janet Ford
At the start of this competition, Janet envisioned that Push Fitness boot camp would follow a military-style training: lots of running, push-ups and absolutely no whining allowed.
“We haven't started running just yet,” says Janet. “The activities we're doing certainly get the heart rate pumping, so our stamina is strengthening and developing. I enjoy seeing the other contestants and, while we are competing against each other, there's moral support from everyone.”
The Push Fitness trainers are very energetic, positive and motivating. And, thankfully, have not lived up to her original scary image. “No one yells or barks at us,” says Janet, “They offer a great workout and by 7:30 a.m., the whole day is ahead of me.”
Jiten “J” Patel
With his hectic work travel schedule, Jiten or “J” felt the early morning boot camp would fit his needs.
“Signing up for this competition, I had little idea of what to expect at Push Fitness boot camp, except it would be hard,” says J. “I've never experienced fitness boot camps before and thought I'd get a total body workout.”
So far that boot camp assessment has come true for J. “While we're early in the competition, I feel that Push Fitness boot camps have helped me not only physically, but mentally. It has made me a stronger person,” he says.
Getting great technique down remains a challenge for J. “The hardest part of boot camp for me is making sure I'm doing all the exercises correctly. I like that the trainers are there to guide us.”
And J has surprised himself. “I don't want to let my teammates down, and find myself pushing harder to get through the set.”
Sharon Miller
A few boot camp Saturdays now under her belt, Sharon understands why people enjoy jogging in the morning hours.
“You workout early in the day and are more focused and alert” says Sharon. “I like the Saturday a.m. boot camp schedule and after this contest, I intend to continue working out first thing every morning.”
Great timing aside, boot camp poses challenges for this contestant. “Boot camp is more difficult than I anticipated,” she says. “Planks and those stairs pull every last ounce of energy I have left to finish the last tasks at the end of our workout.”
Always feeling great after boot camp, Sharon sees the silver lining. “What surprised me most is how much I enjoy working out in the morning. Seeing all of our progress at the weigh-ins on Saturdays gives me motivation to push forward.” she says.
Kathy Couston
Dedicated to losing weight and improving her health, Kathy sees Saturday boot camps as a way to boost her progress.
“Family and friends are seeing my success, as the weight comes off,” Kathy says. “Push Fitness and their professional approach has helped make this happen for me.”
Newly retired, but still keeping busy, Kathy sees the benefit of early morning boot camp trainings. “It's hard, but we're energized at the end. I like to talk with the other contestants, compare notes and see how far we all have come,” she says.
Kathy also likes the diversity that comes with Saturday boot camp.
“We get to experience a different trainer each week and that complements what we learn from our individual trainings. For me, it pulls the entire Push Fitness program together,” she says.