Boot camp?

[Anonymous]

Heard about a boot camp that starts at 6am at Pierce Mill in Rock Creek Pk. Can't recall the name of the camp or affiliated gym. Anyone?
Basically, I am looking for a really effective, tough bootcamp in NW DC that meets before work/school.
Thanks!

[Anonymous]

http://www.sargecorp.com/programs_home.aspx

[Anonymous]

http://www.lotusfitness.com/CoreCamp.html

It used to be at Pierce Mill, but later moved to park near Carter Baron amphitheater. I took two 8 week sessions, but had to stop due to time constraints. It was tough, but I felt great, stronger and more energized. Highly recommend this program.

[Anonymous]

I don't know about the one that you are talking about but I do the Sergeant's Program at St. Albans in DC. I cannot vouch for all the instructors, but I love the program. I am so much stronger and fitter than when I started. It is a great program. I've been going for about a year now.

[Anonymous]

OP here. PP: the Sarge one sounds great and is very close to me. Does it have to be 5x/week or is there an option for 3x or something?
I am pretty fit already but it does sound like it will be challenging....

[Anonymous]

No, you are paying for 5x per week. You do 2 days of lower body strength, core, balancing and abs, 2 days of upper body strength, core, balancing and abs and one day of cardio (a run) My instructor also incorporates lots of cardio into the strength days. For example, on a leg day you might be running suicides on the stairs. You also run around the campus and do exercises all over using stone walls, playground equipment, the track, the stone staircase and an outdoor amphitheater we call the "pit." We run around with our weights and use them in all the different areas. We never do the same workout twice, with the exception of the run.

All you need in they way of equipment is dumbells (usually 5lbs) and a yoga mat.

They ask you to sign up for 3, 6 or 12 months. The price per month goes down. I signed up for a 6 month contract which was 160 for the first 3 months and then went down to 99 per month. After your contract is up you just go month-to-month. I'm a morning person and even I was afraid of the time (5:45am) but after the first few weeks it becomes addictive.

[Anonymous]

Is it very high-impact?

[Anonymous]

Yes. It is high impact, at least in my class. (St. Albans) We do a lot of jumping and running. If you have knee problems some things can be modified, but not all. Other instructors focus on lots of strength and balance and core training and don't do a lot of running or jumping. It depends on the class you are in.

I forgot to mention they allow you 1 week of a free trial. Sign up on a Thursday or Friday and come all the following week for the free trial to get an idea if the class will work for you. If after the week you don't like it or it is too much, no harm, no foul.

[Anonymous]

This sounds like what I need- what do you do during the winter months? Is it still all outside? Sorry for all the questions- is it ok to show up as a weakling and not have everyone hate you because you're bringing the class down? Yes, I have gotten quite soft since the baby, sigh.

[Anonymous]

Up until December we are still outside unless it is raining or below 32. We go inside the St. Alban's gym during January and February. Today we went inside because it was raining. If it is warmer in Jan or Feb we will sometimes go outside. Once you do the class for awhile, you really appreciate being outside. The gym gets confining. During the winter I put on my ski layers. (a layer of running tights/long underwear and a fleece layer top and bottom) You are on the ground doing exercises in the grass sometimes, so you do get dirty. Believe me none of us is wearing really expensive workout clothing. It is also a fairly friendly group.

I wouldn't worry about bringing the class down. We have people at all levels. You can see the progress weekly. For example, I am pretty fit, but I don't run as fast as others. I have stamina, just not speed. I am usually towards the end of the pack when we do track work. Others lag behind me. No one cares. The instructor gives us a tough workout but doesn't do anything to embarass you if you can't do it. She will also offer modifications on some exercises. I've been doing it a year and there are some points where I can't do all the reps of a particular exercise. Everyone has to start somewhere.

Lots of us in the class are very fit, but don't look super "buff," if that makes sense. The group is all shapes, sizes and fitness levels. I would recommend starting out with 3lb hand weights, a bottle of water and a yoga mat. You do a lot of running around the campus of the National Cathedral (you did say that you were close to that class, right?) with your hand weights and doing exercises all over the place and using the stone walls, staircases, and playgrounds as exercise equipment. I use 5lbs but to begin with I would do 3 if you haven't done this stuff in awhile.

If you are thinking about another class, I don't know what those are like. I know that some of the other instructors do not run around as much as we do. Some of the parks where the classes meet aren't as big and some of the other instructors just have different workouts. I love the combination of strength and cardio that we get in every workout.

I hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

new poster here, but i was just about to post and ask about the st albans bootcamp. thanks!

[Anonymous]

what is the name of your instructor (the one who does a lot of running/cardio)? Maybe I can request?>?

[Anonymous]

The instructor for St. Albans/National Cathedral is Vivian. I think right now this is the only class in DC. We just merged with the class that used to be at Bally's at 20th & L.

Like I said, they offer a free week trial before you actually have to pay anything. The information for signing up is at www.sarge.com.

I'm such a fan it must sound like I've joined a cult. The program isn't for everyone. I would say that the biggest deterrent for most people is the hour. We start at 5:50am. If you can handle that, the rest will come in time.