Cardio Core Boot Camp Fitness and Weight Loss

Canada’s Largest National
Fitness Bootcamp Organization
COMING SOON TO THE USA

BOOT CAMP THE LATEST FITNESS TREND
Outdoor exercise a change from hitting the gym By Simone Blais - Staff Reporter, The Now News 05/22/2005 Jen Hamilton and Karen Harmon want to whip you into shape. The two are training instructors behind Cardio-Core Bootcamp, an outdoor exercise program tailored for total body conditioning that has seen a steady flow of registrants who are tired of the gym, but still want to work out. The exercise duo says Cardio-Core Bootcamp, which originated in Maple Ridge, has become so popular, they've expanded offerings into the Tri-Cities. "We get so excited talking about it," Hamilton says. "People are constantly calling us, and we could expand it even more. We'd love to do it all the time, but we have to balance our lives with family." Harmon has worked in the fitness industry for 26 years, and found too many people she came across "were in a rut. "I kept wondering what I could do to help them revamp their lives and get excited about exercising again," she says. After chatting with Hamilton, the pair decided to go into business in Ridge Meadows last June - launching a four-week program that focuses on core training and building strength in the abdominal and lower back muscles. Instead of sequestering boot camp trainees inside, the pair leads groups through a variety of exercises outdoors - to which they attribute a big portion to the boot camp's success. "It's amazing being outside," Harmon says. "You don't have to go to the gym. People love that you can get a really good workout and not have to be inside. "On occasion we do get torrential rain, but we've booked it with parks and rec that can we can go inside if need be." Working out by Lafarge Lake in Town Centre Park in Coquitlam was a natural move, as well. "We decided to expand to Coquitlam because we loved the area," Hamilton says. "It's so beautiful here and there's recreation facilities nearby, so it was a perfect fit. It's really nice to expose people to these beautiful parks in our own neighbourhoods, that not everyone necessarily knows about." The majority of people who sign up for classes lose between eight and 13 inches off their bodies, and Hamilton says one person lost 18.9 inches. "It's an effort-based program, so you get out of it what you put in," Hamilton says, adding that people are seeing both physical and emotional results. "That is so powerful, to watch someone transform physically and emotionally," she adds. "We had one woman whose doctor told her to come to our boot camp because of her emotional state - because of depression. Now, her family won't let her not come." With a mix of yoga, weights, pilates, stretching and cardiovascular exercise, Harmon has devised a four-week workout regime that is not only showing results, but keeps people coming back for more. "Our re-registration rate is 85 per cent, and that speaks for itself," Harmon says. "We have one lady who has signed up for both the morning and afternoon class." "She's a doctor," Hamilton says, finishing her partner's thought, "so she's prescribing this to herself." If enjoying what you do for a living were a crime, Harmon and Hamilton would have to be locked away for a long time. They're all smiles when they explain that getting up at 5 a.m. for morning camps has actually become an enjoyable routine. Both of them say, however, that their enjoyment level comes secondary. "Our biggest fear is having people be bored. So we're always changing, adding new things to the routine, and returning other things to mix it up. Working out has to be fun, otherwise people won't do it," Harmon says. "This is fun, and they're still sweating." "Yeah, you gotta have the sweat," Hamilton laughs. But don't mistake these two for overbearing drill sergeants - that just isn't their style. "We like to nurture them," Harmon says, which isn't surprising given the pair are special education assistants in Maple Ridge. "When you think of boot camp, you think of the screaming sergeant. But that's not us. We tailor the program to everyone's fitness levels." Hamilton agrees. "The beauty of this is that there's two of us at all times. If someone's lagging behind a bit, one of us can help that person along. So no one feels left out." - For more information about the Cardio-Core Bootcamp, visit www.cardiocorebootcamp.ca. posted on 05/22/2005
EARLY MORNING BOOT CAMP KICK STARTS THE DAY
By Michael Matsumaru From Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Times The energy level at the Cardio-Core Boot Camp is not high to start, in fact it's never high any time people rise and shine at the inhumane hour of 5 a.m. Right at the beginning - as the instructors Karen Harmon and Jennifer Hamilton and a group of about 11 middle-aged women wait for a few stragglers to roll out of their cars - Lori Odberg voices her displeasure about getting up at such an early hour. Odberg, a Grade 3 teacher at Birchland Elementary in Port Coquitlam, usually participates in the evening sessions. "I just want to let you guys know that this is a one-off for me, I won't be coming back in the morning," grumbles Odberg. Harmon and Hamilton have grown accustomed to the Odbergs of the fitness boot camp world. Those that are highly skeptical about getting up for the five-day a week, one hour per day training sessions that incorporate cardio, strength training and pilates exercises into the workout. Most people learn to handle the early mornings and if they can't the program is also offered in the evenings. "I've worked in fitness gyms and there's just something about working outdoors," says Harmon. "There's something refreshing about breathing in the fresh air and hearing the birds chirping." Harmon and Hamilton began their first boot-camp session on Aug. 9, after months of brainstorming in putting their program together. Harmon and Hamilton, both mothers to three children with jobs as special education assistants, wanted to make sure the program could offer something to everyone. That includes the odd male camper, brave enough to sweat through the workouts with a bunch of noisy women. "When I first saw all the girls I was skeptical, but it's a good workout and it's very tiring," says David Tyler, who was pushed into the program by his wife, but now seems to love it. The camps are led by Harmon, a certified group fitness instructor with the B.C. Recreation and Parks Association and Hamilton, a certified Level 1 fitness coach, who works more on the administrative side of the camp. The boot camps run at Pitt Meadows Athletic Park, with one day per week at a surprise location. The camps each last for a month and are offered on a three-days per week or five-days per week basis. The morning sessions run from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. The evening run 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information call 466-0648 or 315-0374.
LETTER FROM JANA JONSEN
I'm writing a brief letter to praise a local business in our community. For the month of May I signed on to the Cardio Core Boot Camp run by Jen Hamilton and Karen Harmon. Both are extremely encouraging and hands on, teaching proper techniques. Maple Ridge still has a small town feel so it was nice to run into ladies from the bank and some old classmates. For the rest, working towards a common goal 'ya can't help but get to know each a little better. I'd been going to the gym for years without seeing major changes, but within a month of their course, I'd lost 10 inches and 5 lbs. My clothes fit better, I feel great and the energy I have throughout the day is unbelievable. While I won my first month, I've signed up again and paid for it. I'm addicted. The variety, challenge and results make it worth every penny. Anyone looking for a challenge or wakeup to their routine should give Cardio Core Boot Camp a whirl! Jana Jonsen Maple Ridge
BACK TO BASICS
From Burnaby Now Julie MacLellan, staff reporter It's not quite 6 a.m., and the faces of the people arriving outside Burnaby Village Museum are still showing signs of sleep. But even before the first streaks of light appear in the morning sky, a cheerful voice is cutting through the grey morning. "We're going to run!" It's Leslie Newbery, an instructor with Cardio Core Boot Camp. And the workout is on. Despite its somewhat intimidating name, there's little of the 'military' about this early morning workout. Rather, it's an inclusive approach to fitness that's designed to get everyone, from the complete beginner to the advanced workout addict, outdoors and working out. Today's workout starts with a run, followed by circuit training. Short sessions of strength training, focusing on core stability and strength, are interspersed with two minutes of cardio in the form of running a hill circuit, doing lunges, skipping rope, jogging or doing step-ups. At every stage, Newbery offers options to challenge the various levels of the participants. Everyone moves at their own speed, and everyone is offered encouragement and personalized support. It's all part of the philosophy of inclusiveness that's espoused by the company's founders, Jen Hamilton and Karen Harmon. Both women have extensive backgrounds in fitness - Harmon boasts 26 years of experience and Hamilton 16 - and decided to pool their talents to offer something different. Harmon, in an interview, explained the line of thought that led to the boot camp as being one simple question: "Why can't we do what we do inside, outside?" It turned out there was no reason why not - and the boot camp idea took off quickly. The two started out in Pitt Meadows more than two years ago, then opened an operation in the Tri-Cities. Burnaby was recently added to the list, and New Westminster is set to open April 3. Today there are 10 locations around the Lower Mainland. Both women are raising children and trying hard to achieve balance in their own lives. Which is why, as demand grew, they saw an opportunity to branch out and offer franchises. "Being mothers of three, and busy, we wanted to create opportunities for people to run their own business," Hamilton explained. Each franchise is individually owned and operated, but Harmon and Hamilton take operators through a one-month training program to ensure the program is carried through as they envision it. "It's a lot of fun. We're growing so quickly, and it's an amazing feeling," Hamilton said. They see many reasons for the success of the 'boot camp' philosophy. For starters, they're both big believers in the concept of outdoor fitness. "Being outdoors is amazing. When you're breathing in the fresh air, it's healing," Harmon said. Participants are asked to bring yoga mats, an exercise ball and hand weights but, for the most part, any 'apparatus' needed is whatever's available in the location at hand. In Burnaby, for instance, the stairs outside Shadbolt Centre are incorporated into the workout, the railing along the deck overlooking Deer Lake becomes a handy spot for push-ups and an old stone wall along Deer Lake Parkway can be just the ticket for tricep dips. It's all part of the philosophy that fitness doesn't need to be complicated. Tying in to that is a focus on making the camps accessible to everyone, of any level. "We get everyone from jocks to people that haven't exercised in 20 years," Harmon said. Each participant is given an assessment prior to the 'boot camp,' taking their measurements and going through endurance testing. Then, at the end of the camp, they're tested again to measure progress. "Everyone sees results," Hamilton said, noting those results involve better endurance, fewer inches and an improved emotional state. Along the way, everyone gets the help they need to make progress. Hamilton notes that, with two instructors, they're able to offer more nurturing and instruction for those who need it. The focus is, as she puts it, on "getting back to the basics" of working out: cardio and core work. "When people have a strong core, it allows them to excel in many areas," she pointed out. For participants, the 'boot camp' is kept interesting by the fact that no two workouts are the same. "It's fresh every time they come," Harmon noted. "We want people to stay interested." Put it all together and both women note that the atmosphere created is one of teamwork. "It's the camaraderie. People really encourage one another," Harmon said. "Everyone comes together as a team, supporting one another," added Hamilton. And they're quick to note the weather never seems to matter. Sessions go rain or shine, warm or cold - though Newbery will be the first to point out that her Burnaby sessions have never yet seen rain - and participants simply dress for the weather. "There have been times when we have had rain, but people end up laughing," Harmon said. The sessions are open to everyone. Participants so far have ranged in age from 11 to 72, and both men and women are encouraged to take part. All participants can choose how often they'd like to work out. Each 'boot camp' runs in a four-week segment, and people can choose to work out three or five days a week, mornings or evenings - paying for either 12 or 20 sessions altogether. The next Burnaby session starts March 27, while the first New Westminster camp kicks off April 3 in Moody Park. For more, check out www.corebootcamp.com. Or, for more details on local classes, phone 604-315-0374. published on 03/08/2006