Boot Camp: Kick-off 2013 with a Challenge

As the last of the holiday desserts slowly disappear, it’s time to refocus on your health this New Year. Family & MWR offers many options when it comes to staying active, with 5K runs, two Physical Fitness Facilities (PFF’s), disc golf, or golfing at Silver Wings Golf Course.
    
One of the most unique fitness options for patrons is Boot Camp at the Fortenberry-Colton PFF. This six week program encourages participants to think outside of the box when it comes to working out and tracks your progress along the way. Boot Camp meets five a days a week with two sessions to choose from, 6:30 – 7:30 a.m. or 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. The next session begins on Jan. 7.

Never heard of Boot Camp before?
Kris Rach’, Fitness Specialist and certified Personal Trainer explained the basics of the program. 

“Every day there’s cardio. Even if we do weight lifting one day, we cross-train and do cardio.” For this reason Kris suggested that participants have done some kind of cardiovascular exercise before trying Boot Camp. “We do a lot of things outside the box,” she said. “About 95% (of the class) is outside. It gets you out of the closed gym environment and you can be free to just do what you want.”

Boot Camp exercises are very diverse, consisting of plyometrics, agility drills, running, weight lifting, yoga, cross-training, and maintaining a high energy environment.
  
“A lot of working out is mental for some people,” Kris said. “They can set a glass ceiling for themselves that they’re afraid to push through. At Boot Camp we encourage them to push through it…There’s no I can’t. Only I can.”
    
Boot Camp is for Authorized Patrons, ages 18 and older. Authorized Patrons include DoD Civilians, Retirees, Active Duty Soldiers, Spouses and dependent Family members. Fort Rucker Contractors may also participate. Kris spoke of a mother and daughter that recently completed Boot Camp. The mother was a military spouse and the daughter, age 19, was preparing to go into the Air Force.
    
Kris also mentioned there being Boot Camp participants in their late 50’s and early 60’s who completed all six weeks. “They still continue working out and doing the 5K’s. There aren’t any age restrictions, but there are health restrictions if you are not able to complete it.”
    
For those who do complete Boot Camp, the results are more than rewarding. Weight isn’t used to track progress, but rather body fat percentages, lost inches, how the participant’s clothes fit, and how they feel.
    
“It’s a great way to start off the New Year,” Kris encouraged. “You’ll start it off with a challenge, meet new people, and better yourself physically, emotionally, mentally, and for some people even spiritually. I love doing it and that’s why I’m here. We have phenomenal instructors in all of our classes. We like to see people challenge themselves. To challenge yourself as an individual is the greatest thing.”

Space is limited, so register early at either PFF. Cost is $100 per participant and includes weekly consultations to track progress, access to all group fitness classes during the six weeks, and T-shirts to those who complete the training.
    
Orientation takes place Jan. 4 at 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. at the Fortenberry-Colton PFF. For more information, call the Fort Rucker PFF at (334) 255-2296.