A couple of months ago, I
joined boot camp. I wasn't drafted; I actually paid $360
to go.
While it's not the military's
exercise regimen, it's just as effective. Boot Camp San
Francisco will whip you into shape fast.
Founded by Keith Wohlwend, this individualized, six-week program
(one hour a day, four days a week) is based on sports
conditioning principles the athletes practiced in
college-level track and field competition.
BootCampSF takes place in
Golden Gate Park and at Kezar Stadium across the street.
On Saturdays we go on leave to Baker Beach, but believe
me, it's no picnic.
June 24 was my "assessment
day." I was anxious to get going, though a little
apprehensive about what might come. We met at 6 a.m. for
evaluation at Kezar, a place for athletes, competitors
and champions --the same place the 49ers got started.
The wet grass reminded me of
football practice on rainy days, my glory days.
Remembering the shape I used to be in, I got fired up --
but only because I hadn't started yet. Then it was time.
My first instructions were to
drop and do as many sit ups as I could without stopping
while Keith, the "drill sergeant," timed me. As I
struggled to bang them out, all I could see was the
large V-shaped shadow he made as he stood over me. I
stopped at 42, a little past my waist size. I thought I
saw a look of disappointment on his face as he nodded
his head.
Next: Roll over to push-up
position and do the same. I knew I could do more of
those... 1, 2, 3, 15, 20, 30. I puffed out almost 35 --
close to the size I want my waist to be.
OK, cool. I figured there's
room for improvement, and when camp ends, it'll look
good when I'll do twice that amount with one hand.
After all the participants
took their turn and we were all warmed up and stretched
out, we lined up on the track.
"Sound off your last name and
lap number every time you come around. Ready, set, go,"
Keith yelled.
"Holy crap, here we go," I
thought to myself. I hadn't had to run since high
school, and there I was, about to start taking laps like
the bad ass I used to be when I ran track 15 years ago.
Except then I belonged on the track and had a purpose
for being there -- to compete and win -- unlike the
reason for today: to survive.
As I went around the first
time, I was reasonably composed and able to scream
"Rosales, one" without disrupting my pace. On the second
lap, a bit winded, I sounded off "Rosales, two" not
quite as loudly as the first time.
On lap three, as I slowly
huffed by, I gave a three-finger signal and nodded.
By the time I got to lap
four, everyone at the finish line cheered me on as I
agonizingly lunged forward so as not to get lapped by
the girl creeping up from behind. Winner by a gut, I
made it in just under nine minutes.
This was only the beginning
of what would prove to be my biggest challenge of
personal strength, determination -- and let's not forget
will -- for the next six weeks.
Outside the gym
Wohlwend and Krstic met in
college competing in the shot and disk and hammer throw
at national level. Today Krstic works as a personal
trainer, a college coach and is disciplined in
Jiu-jitsu. Wohlwend, also a certified personal trainer,
specializes in sports psychology.
"After college we hooked up
and recognized that there was a need for an outdoor
exercise program for people looking for an alternative
workout outside the gym," Krstic said.
They worked out a test
version of BootcampSF, and within six weeks, Wohlwend
lost 20 pounds.
"That's when I realized our
potential for success," said Krstic.
But what sets BootCampSF
apart from similar outdoor exercise programs?
"It's about personalization,"
said Krstic. "It's designed for individuals to be able
to work out at their level, which is what the assessment
determines."
Unlike some programs,
BootCamp SF doesn't lump together people of various
levels. It also employs a broad range of physical
fitness techniques.
Then there's the fact that
the workouts are in some of The City's most picturesque
settings
Morning routines, which
started at the Music Concourse in front of The Academy
of Sciences, consisted of a warm-up jog on one of the
many trails in Golden Gate Park, followed by a stretch
-- and depending on what we happened to be working on
that day -- a run up Strawberry Hill inside Stow Lake or
over to the Conservatory of Flowers for some sprint and
push-up combos.
Among the trees and wildlife,
we did calisthenics, used medicine balls and climbed on
monkey bars.
The greenery helped
compensate for the lack of oxygen in my lungs, and kept
my mind off the fact I was working out. The adrenaline
rush felt good, like a happy drug.
What you might not expect
from program like this is the encouragement that comes
from working out side by side with folks from all walks
of life. Everyone has an inspiring story.
Jon Maples, 37, is
BootCampSF's star, returning four times with impressive
results. He dropped from a 180-pound frame to his ideal
marathon-running weight of 150 pounds.
Tracy Rabold, 36, is on her
second session. She confesses to losing close to 10
pounds, and knocking off 5 percent of her body fat.
My ride buddy, Mirna, never
really exercised outside the gym, but now swears by her
new workout plan.
Of course, individual results
vary depending on each person's dedication and
commitment. As much as I tried to attend every morning,
I did miss a class or two -- or three. But I managed to
lose about 10 pounds, and I was surprised at my
new-found flexibility, which improved my mental focus as
much as my body.
Let me set something
straight. BootCampSF isn't only for buffed athletes and
national champions. I'm living proof of that.
After having just completed
my first six-week session, I know I have made the wisest
health decision of my life. I'm hooked. I've already
signed up for the next session that starts Monday.
For more information,
visit http://www.bootcampsf.com/.
