TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

South Shore Residents Sign Up For Boot Camp

Tribune photo by ROBERT BURKE

Trainer Heather Brandt, foreground, shows Robin Council leg lift exercises at a boot camp-themed training program at Apollo Beach Nature Park.

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOHN CEBALLOS

jceballos@tampatrib.com

Published: October 22, 2008

Updated: 10/22/2008 11:55 am

APOLLO BEACH - A group of South Shore residents willingly signed themselves up for boot camp.

But instead of being greeted by a drill instructor barking orders, the members of the Apollo Beach Fitness Boot Camp had the sound of crashing waves from Tampa Bay behind them and upbeat workout music in front of them.

"I think one of the main draws is that it's different from a gym setting," said Jimmie Romano, one of the boot camp's personal trainers. "They come out for the boot camp, and we have something different for them every time.

"They never have any idea what they're getting into."

Romano and fellow trainer Heather Brandt have been leading their fitness boot-camp classes since September. The duo meet weekly to come up with new ways to challenge their students.

"We've both worked with people one-on-one for years, so we thought it'd be fun to do a group class," Brandt said. "It also gives everyone a chance to get outside, and it gives them a chance to work out with their buddy."

One class is for anyone interested in getting into shape - it includes men and women ranging from age 26 to 52 - and has been meeting Friday and Saturday from 6 to 7 a.m. at Apollo Beach Recreation Center. The class will meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at the same time starting Monday.

"That class is targeted more at people who want to get some good exercise in before they have to go to work," Brandt said. "After the class, they go home, take a shower, and they're off to work."

The time change came as a result of the trainers' willingness to work around their clients' schedules and skill levels.

"Everyone in the boot camp gets a survey asking questions like what days and times work best for them," Romano said. "We also customize our classes according to everyone's fitness level. We can make it easier for some people, and more difficult for others."

The other class Brandt and Romano have been directing is for stay-at-home moms, which meets from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday and Wednesday at Apollo Beach Nature Park.

"I signed up because I want to get back into shape after having two babies," said Audra Bartling, who has a 7-month-old daughter and a 23-month-old son, in addition to an 11-year-old daughter.

"We really love it, but they also make it tough for us," said Sandi Bills. "I couldn't walk after the first day because I was so sore."

Both classes are offered in four-week sessions.

Romano expects to see a bump in interest over the next few months.

"With the holiday season coming up and everyone kind of letting themselves go during Thanksgiving and Christmas, you get more people who want to exercise to stay in shape," he said.

Both trainers hope to keep their boot camp whipping people into shape beyond New Year's Day.

"As long as there's demand and people want it, we'll keep providing it," Brandt said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Apollo Beach Fitness Boot Camp

WHERE: Apollo Beach Recreation Center, 664 Golf and Sea Blvd., and Apollo Beach Nature Park, 6767 Surfside Blvd.

WHEN: General fitness boot camp, 6 to 7 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; stay-at-home-mom group, 9 to 10 a.m. Monday and Wednesday.

COST: General fitness boot camp, $100 for a four-week session; stay-at-home-mom group, $80 for a four-week session.

INFORMATION: (813) 230-5268 or (727) 480-3004. Web site coming soon, www.apollobeachbootcamp.com.

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT