Day 3 Bootcamp

          So, day three involved a lot of ab work people! We began by doing 3 sets of various ab exercises, 2mins/set.  The first set were flutter kicks, as shown in the image above. Then we did horizontal flutter kicks. The last set we partnered up and did as many leg throws as we could in 2 minutes.  And we did another set of leg throws, however, once your partner throws your legs, the other partner, with legs straight, stops his/her legs from hitting the floor and does a circular motion in the air and lifts the legs up again for another throw.  People, this is a very difficult thing to do.  Sets are 2 minutes long and each set seems like an eternity. But working the core is so crucial that it is worth the pain.
          My partner that class was Stacey, and you should have seen how she rocked the next exercise, which was one set of ordinary sit-ups.  Stacey struggled to do 65 sit-ups, even after the previous exercises!!!  I was thoroughly impressed, especially after i could only do 30 sit-ups at that point.
          On to the relay. One partner of each team began an exercise, the first was one-legged squats on a bench, while the other partner ran around the block.  Once the running partner returned to repeat the same exercise, the other partner ran.  We repeated this, doing several different exercises between runs (standing 8s, Afghan squats, flutter kicks) and finished the class strong.
          Now my ab muscles are sore as are the top of my thighs.  This can only be a good thing.  Maybe I'll go for a run after these World Cup games today.  Ghana is tied with Australia at this time.  Until the next bootcamp, i'm signing out.

Bootcamp Day 2 - June 16, 2010

          I felt a lot better about my energy level and effort yesterday.  But it was ROUGH!! Now, I know this program is called "bootcamp," but please allow me to assuage any and all concerns about the nature of the trainer's motivational tactics.  The trainer, Eddie Lima, is not the in-your-face type of ex-marine. I have yet to hear him call anyone maggots, or otherwise scream profanity as a means to help us see the best in ourselves.  There is no "left, right left" chanting as we run.  Eddie simply asks that we do our best, even if we cannot complete the exercises.  If we cannot do anymore push-ups due to muscle fatigue, for example, he asks us to remain in the up position until time runs out.
          But on to the typical "warm-up".  As a warm-up, Eddie had us doing 3 sets of push-ups at 2 minutes per set.  In other words, do as many as you can for each set.  The first set were regular push-ups, the second set were diamond push-ups, where we connected our thumbs and index fingers in a triangular shape, and push-up that way.  The third set we did wide push-ups, where we spread our hands out as wide as possible and did as many in this way as we could for 2 minutes.  The group energy was great, as I looked around observing about 6 women and 8 men struggle beyond their level of comfort to squeeze out yet another push-up before plopping on the ground in total exhaustion.
          After the warm-up, my partner and I were told to take a 45lb barbell and do forearm curls with elbows close to the body.  So we're lifting the bar with the backs of our hands facing us.  We did decreasing sets, with me first doing 10, my partner does the same, then I did 9, and so on until we reached 1.  Then we did increasing sets of curls with the bar, lifting it with our palms facing us.  I did 1, my partner repeats, then I did 2, and so on until we both reached 10.  This clearly is upper body day, and at this point I was sweating profusely, but motivated by the mutual encouragement my partner and I gave each other.  I'm bad with names but I believe my partner's name was Anthony.
          The next move was to the bench, where we did reverse dips to focus on our triceps.  We had to do as many as we could in 2 minutes.  We may have done 2 sets of this exercise, and were then told to head downstairs to do 3 sets of 15 pull-ups.  Anthony and I were beat, spent, straight tired to the bone.  But we spotted each other when needed, and did as many as we could each set, at times hitting fifteen, and maybe the last set we did 10.  There was a tag team of young women down there with us as well, and it was just great seeing them struggle along with us.  We all motivated each other, and my thing was making sure I and others tried one more pull-up after we decided to quit, as a reminder that we have more power in us than we think and to not let our minds play tricks on us...by convincing us that we've had enough when there's more gas in the tank.
          Our next challenge was to complete 2 sets of 5 one-legged squats.  While inside the boxing ring, we held one hand on the middle rope for support, and squatted such that our butts touched our heel and the other leg was straightened out, then we stood up.  This exercise is crucial for me as I am still working on my right knee, where I had ACL surgery some time ago.
          After this we were told to run around the block once, and complete 10 pull-ups each when we returned and we'd be done.  What a way to start the day - 7am suffering through physical and mental challenges, supporting each other to be our best.  I enjoyed it and am looking forward to Friday.

Bootcamp Day 1 - June 14, 2010

So, i'm back!! As many of you know, I began bootcamp awhile ago.  I was working downtown near Ground Zero when I walked by the infamous Trinity Boxing gym in search of lunch.  On the outside I saw a sign advertising bootcamp.  I had always wanted a bootcamp workout, but never had the desire to join the military.  So, I saw this as my big chance to work out, if only for one month, bootcamp style!  These classes are very challenging, and at times your muscles are too fatigued to complete each exercise.  But the test is to work as hard as you can for as long as you can, at times to the point of complete exhaustion.  I even vomited in one session, but we later attributed it to my not providing my body the proper fuel; I have since grown to appreciate fuel like bananas, coconut water, and protein.  When informed of the incentive of improvement, a free month of boxing, I earned "Most Improved" status one month, recording 80 push-ups in 2 minutes, from the 40 i did at the beginning of that month, and running the 2-miles in 15mins, up from 18mins at the outset.  I've done a few months since then, but this is a blog about the bootcamp session i joined on June 14, 2010.  Although I feel Eddie's is the best, most affordable bootcamp, there are many in NYC and some in your area if you dare to try.  The results speak for themselves.

On Day 1, as usual, we are asked to perform diagnostic tests: max push-ups in 2mins, max sit-ups in 2mins, and a timed 2-mile race.  The instructor, Eddie Lima, is a retired marine, a former green beret who served in Afghanistan and Iraq for about 20yrs.  He and I have developed a good relationship.  He knows what I am capable of and he often shares with new or potential clients how i had the most energy in the class, often bouncing on both feet like boxers do in between exercises.  So, my reputation preceded me yesterday as I began the first full month there since Fall 2009.

I rocked the push-ups and felt satisfied with my sit-up game.  However, my legs turned to silly puddy during the 2-mile race.  I completed it in 18:35, just about third or fourth place out of the group, which varies in age and includes a few women. On the last day of bootcamp, we will take this same test again to determine who is the most improved, based on a scale Eddie uses from military standards, which considers our age and gender.  Clearly I need more cardio, and more cardio I will be sure to get.  After all, I just may get a free month of bootcamp if I improve more than everyone else.  Tomorrow I foresee pain and more mental challenges, so Follow me...