Boot Camps Take Over Georgetown

About eight runners stretch in the Friday twilight at the labyrinth on the waterfront, a workout boot camp led by Charles Eisner.

Without personal trainers, the boot camp relies on group members pushing themselves and working together to motivate each other. "You can be surrounded by dozens of people and still be isolated at a gym," Eisner said. He doesn't charge the participants because he was "going to work out regardless." Group members, who met through Meetup.com, agreed with Eisner that the boot camp atmosphere motivated them to continue their regimen. The Friday night group had a range of ages and a relatively even split of men and women.

Eugene Bukham, a Georgetown resident, said he had been part of the group for a year; he keeps coming back because he can always find someone to work out with and keep him motivated. Charles Grainger just joined the group three weeks prior because he was new to D.C. and wanted to meet people. Typically a "self-motivated" guy, Grainger said he appreciated the encouragement of group members.

Boot camps, the latest trend in group fitness in Georgetown, offer small groups with a dedicated instructor whose job it is to keep an eye on participants, catching them when they try a half-way crunch or to cut corners on a lap. When so many people have gym memberships that go unused, boot camps could be an alternative to get moving again.

According to Tom Kalka, the president and CEO of Custom Fitness Concepts, his instructors are not personal trainers. He looks for people who like to exercise without equipment or machines, who do push-ups and jumping jacks to work out. His instructors offer "creativity and an understanding of how the body works" and are not limited to the confines of a gym. 

On a weekday morning at Rose Park, the pleasant peal of children laughing was replaced by the huffing and puffing of exercising adults. Kalka said his classes range from 10 to 40 people, depending on the day or the weather. Participants of all ages and fitness level work out side-by-side and trainers cater to each person's individual limits; grandmothers push themselves along side marathoners, each in their own way. At a Monday evening class, instructor, Reggie, pushed the class along with the constant refrain, "Go, go, go! Keep it up; you got it!"

If you are a gym member, but are looking for a new challenge, traditional gyms are also beginning to offer "boot camp" style small group classes. The Washington Sports Club (WSC) in Georgetown will offer an "Ultimate Strength and Conditioning" class beginning in September. Classes are open to members and non-members alike for a fee. The workout will combine indoor and outdoor exercise, ending with a few trips up and down the "Exorcist stairs," according to WSC group exercise coordinator, Damara Ross.

Boot Camps in Georgetown:

Custom Fitness Concepts

Rose Park: Mon-Sat 6:15am-7:14am; Sat, 9am; or Mon, Wed, Sat, 7:15am-8:15am.

3333 K St.: Mon, Tues, Thurs, 6pm-7pm.

Meetup.com

Meet with trainer Charles Eisner for free boot camps at the Georgetown Waterfront; Fri, 6:30pm; Sun, 8am.

Washington Sports Club

Meet with a trainer at the gym at 3222 M St.; Wed, 6:30 p.m.