3 Getting fit, boot-camp style
by Hosea C
Sunday, September 16, 2007
For students and staff coming back to school, Kwantlen has the solution for fitness needs, boot-camp style.Cardio-Core Bootcamp, led by Lee Henderson, aims to help attendees get back into shape. It’s back for a second year.
“We try to provide a program that allows people to get out and have fun,” Henderson said. “What we’re trying to do right now is break the mold of that sedentary living, you have to get out there and be active.”
With everything from improved stretching techniques to running to circuit training to many other different exercises, this fitness experience allows participants to become involved physically.
“Especially nowadays, I recognize the benefits of being active,” he said. “What I really try to impress on all my clients is that it’s all about the quality of living, not the quantity of living years.”
Cardio-Core Bootcamp goes every Tuesday and Thursday, 12:15- 1:15 p.m. at the Kwantlen Gymnasium in Surrey.
The package of classes costs $84; one participant acknowledges the good deal.
“It’s a great price,” said Diana Bianchin. “You can’t go anywhere else and get this kind of a price for a workout.”
The second-year Linguistics student hopes joining will help get her into shape, but the encouragement aspect of the program is the most welcoming.
“I enjoy the motivation part of it, with people just saying ‘go, go, go harder’,” she said. “It’s great I think.”
When it comes to Kwantlen staff members, Heather McMann, returning to the fitness boot camp was a must.
“I just returned because I’m out of shape again,” she says.
“I think it’s a fabulous program and Lee is outstanding. You get results if you stick with it and by the end of the month, there’s a noticeable change in your strength level and also in your amount of energy.”
Although the program only runs twice a week, Henderson assures satisfaction.
“There are so many different ways of training the body,” he said. “We are going to tailor the program to a two-day-a-week program to make sure each individual coming in will get the most benefit.”
The fitness series run for four weeks, with a week of free trial classes already over.
Even with a short time frame, results are definite in Henderson’s eyes.
“Everybody sees some sort of result, I absolutely guarantee it,” he said. “Obviously depending on the individual and depending on what your goal is when you came in, people always see results.”
Henderson has high hopes for the future of the class.
“I would like to see this class go to 30 or 40 people a class,” he said. And with an arsenal running deep in terms of exercises, he is ready to pull new material out of the “fitness” hat.
“Every class is going to be different pretty much,” he said.
If the program catches on, he plans to include routines such as obstacle courses, full-out training, to sprints, plyometrics, sports-specific exercises, skipping, “everything short of swimming.”
However, he understands the importance of tailoring the program around every individual.
“Because we have such a very fitness level base, we really have to temper to that and make sure it’s accessible to everybody. I need to make sure that everybody who comes in here can still get a workout and not feel discouraged or under-coached.”
Cardio-Core hopes to attract more attendees to the family-franchised business.
“This time being the second time (at Kwantlen), we’re hoping that we can develop a sort of fan base, if you will,” he said. “In a perfect world, I would like to see everyone get to participate and enjoy the program for what it is: A good workout and a fun environment.”
Henderson’s message is clear, to help increase the awareness of the importance of health and wellness in the community.
“A healthy family just builds healthy communities,” he said. “We’re just really trying to grow that concept.”
For more information on Cardio-Core Bootcamp, visit the Kwantlen Athletics website.
