Patch Writer Survives (And Thrives) In Innovative Fitness Boot Camp

Three people recently told me that I had scrawny arms and shoulders and that I needed to work out. Badly.

Guess that's what family is for.

So, when I heard about the fine folks at Fircrest's Innovative Fitness and the fact that they offered a raved about (and ), I decided to go for it. I am so glad I did.

However, it didn't start out well.

I decided that about a week before my boot camp experience, that I would train a little more than normal. Unfortunately this ended up being a few sweaty runs, a couple of walks crammed into some rare free minutes and a couple of days of nothing. It was a busy week. Okay, truth be told, I could have done more, but it was too hot outside and I was, all right, a little lazy.

There. I said it.

But I didn't let my laziness deter me. So, Friday night before boot camp, I decided to eat healthfully, keep hydrated and turn in early.

Oops.

Instead, I stuffed my face to the point of being overly full, woke up thirsty and turned in late (with an insomnia battle in the middle of the night due to a stuffy house and lack of a working fan).

Probably not the best way to start out.

But no matter. I popped in the car at 7:10 a.m., Saturday morning and made my way to University Place Primary's play area, ready to roll!

Fine. Okay, I was kinda ready to roll.

However, when I arrived, I was delighted to see so many people. Plus they were all smiling and happy. Really. I knew from my original reporting, that Innovative Fitness said they get turn outs of about 40 to 50 people. They were right (and some). Cool.

The variety of participants delighted me. There were all ages, shapes, sizes and abilities. When I talked to fellow boot campers, many had been through this program before. Everyone seemed to have a similar sentiment, no matter what:

It's tough, but you WILL love it and want to come back.

That helped. Big time.

As I signed my participant waiver, took those last precious sips of water from my water bottle and stripped off my heavy sweatshirt in the early morning sun, I watched Jesse and Katie Ewell, Innovative Fitness managers, and their team gleefully unpack and set up all kinds of fitness equipment (ropes, bands, weights, etc.) and an obstacle course. Much of this equipment, honestly, I'd never seen or even handled before (see the pictures in the media gallery). 

This was gonna be interesting.

And then there was Chuck, our intense, yet lovable, lead drill sargeant.

Chuck led us in the lively warm-ups (and later cool down). Let's say Chuck doesn't need a mic. This dude was the Energizer Bunny with a big voice, a big heart and big ambition. He kept yelling positive affirmations that we repeated. At the very first, the repeats were quiet. Let's just say the words pushups cured us of our mouse voices. 

Next, we broke up into about seven groups. Each group would go to a station manned by a friendly and helpful trainer and do all of the exercises given in a five-minute span of time. After five minutes, we rotated to the next station and did some new exercises. There are seven stations available.

I started out with my group with Innovative Fitness manager Jesse Ewell and kettle bells (weights - see media gallery). Lifting weights is not an easy task for me (as a long time runner, I tend to neglect my upper body). But Jesse helped me a lot and while it was hard, I really felt motivated by my team and simply watching other teams around me working and trying hard.

I proceeded through the next stations that worked my skills in strength, agility, flexibility, balance, and stamina. These stations move quickly and I loved it because you were so busy, thinking, moving, and switching it up, you didn't get stuck in a grind or burn out. You also tend to forget your fatigue.

I worked my arms pulling ropes, stretching bands, throwing and pitching weighted bags, and doing push ups on a tri-pull aparatus (and more!). As a runner, I LOVED the obstacle course of running and jumping and running stairs.

Now, while my form may not have been perfect for some of the more unfamiliar exercises, and some of the activities were a challenge, help and support were right there.You couldn't help but try!

After the stations were completed, the entire group came together for a finale with Chuck. Some participants joked that we were all going to get Chuck-ifyed. It was a rockin' group exercise session that reinforced what we learned and kept us pumped up.

Sixty minutes passed in a flash.

I was tired, trust me, but I felt good. I was inspired by all the people I saw and worked with. I really felt that I could do anything.

Better yet? All of this for the low, low price of FREE.

What else could a gal ask for? Really.

You are all probably wondering whether or not I am sore or able to even walk, right? Well, I was able to type, yes? Kidding. Truth be told, yeah, I am feeling it in my shoulders and arms in particular. But it's a GOOD kind of sore. The sore that shows that you worked hard. And the sore that shows that you can push yourself and still be okay.

That's pretty awesome (yes, I do have Advil on hand).

Inspired? Want to join me for a future session?

All you have to do is click to get all the information you will need to get started.

You know what? If I can do it, so can you!