Melrose Boot Camp

While webstalking a while ago, I noticed one of my coworker's wives was doing a boot camp class in Melrose, fittingly called Melrose Boot Camp. When I asked her about it, she just raved. She said the instructors were really up beat and friendly, the class was difficult but was suitable for all fitness levels, and that she felt a lot healthier from participating.

I am training for the Danskin Women's Triathlon, so I thought this would be a good way to make sure that I really was getting up and working out. Nothing like a little peer pressure to get you out of bed in the morning. The class starts at 5:15AM! Bright, and early (and quite often raining). I had previously gone to the gym in the morning at about the same time, but there were definitely days where I rolled over and reset my alarm. Over the last four weeks, I went to boot camp faithfully MW&F rain or shine.

At boot camp, we did everything from the predictable push-ups, sit-ups and jumping jacks, to some really dynamic exercises like wind sprints up hills, resistance band work and running up and down bleachers. We did a timed mile the first friday, and we were all grumbling. Nothing like a recorded number to make you feel terrible about yourself at 5:30 in the morning. My goal for the first timed mile was to run it without stopping and I succeeded. Each week, it I felt a little more tired and I felt like I was getting in worse shape. My legs felt tired, my body ached, I felt 4 times my age. Some of it was what I like to call getting-in-shape soreness. You know, the good kind of soreness. Some of it was the "wow-I-thought-I-was-too-young-for-my-knees-to-crack-like-this" soreness/pain/loud noises. When the timed mile came around again at the last session of the month, I was once again dreading it. I had remembered someone who was about 15 seconds ahead of me the previous time. My goal was to stay as close to her as possible and hopefully beat my time. Unfortunately, she took off and I was almost a half lap behind her at the end. I found someone else to keep my pace and I beat my previous time by 35 seconds! All the pain, suffering, and short nights of sleep paid off!

I am excited for one week off before the next session starts, but also waiting in eager anticipation of what other goals I can achieve.

The basics:
Melrose Boot Camp
MWF, 5:15AM to 6:00AM
$95 for 4 weeks