52 Weeks of Wellness: Sweatin’ To The Oldies
Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011
Week Two: Boot Camp with Scott Holt
I have spent three years being scared of Boot Camp class. That’s true.
I love exercising, but I do not love being tortured. So three years’ later, after being gently prodded and persuaded to join (you know who you are, Al), I gave in. My excuses had run out. There are no more “Oops, I think I hear my office phone ringing, I’ll have to come next time!” moments.
Right away I can sense that this is going to be a tough class. The Osher Weight Room is closed because of the installation of the new Treadwall and so we hold class in the gymnasium.
Twenty of us line up against the gym wall and flashbacks to High School P.E. are dancing around in my head. A “ping” signals the start of the class and the next hour is a blur of sprints, drills, push-ups, squats, laps, weight lifting, mat work, and basketball dribbling. When did I last dribble a basketball?
The key to this class is humor. The instructor, Scott, tells stories and gets the participants engaged in conversation to help ease the pain a bit. His loyal following of class participants is a testament to the jovial nature of the experience. Scott – a former Marine who prefers to uphold his reputation as a tough guy - will cringe when he reads the word “jovial”. He would much rather I describe the atmosphere as “chaos and despair”.
Nevertheless, I now understand the attraction to this class. It is hard, but challenging in a way that makes you grateful that you showed up. Like all Y classes, you can tailor your pace, your barbell’s weight, and your effort to meet your personal fitness level. Don’t waste three years being afraid, like I was.
Class: Boot Camp at the Greater Portland YMCA, Osher Weight Room
Instructors: Scott Holt
Schedule: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
For a full schedule of wellness classes, including other strength training classes, click here:
John’s weekly Health & Fitness Tips are here.
Hildy
Hildy Ginsberg is Portland’s Executive Director. She feels that the YMCA is the greatest place on earth. Seriously. Don’t you?