Boot Camp: Week 4

Our guest columnist Molly has completed a 4-week buffet of get fit classes, and is ready to undo all her hard work over Christmas. Happy Holidays!

It’s over already?! People ask me how boot camp is going, and to say it’s now done feels crazy! After four weeks of what I thought would be hell, I hate to say goodbye to the classes I’ve done and the inspiring and fit people I’ve met at Get Spun. It no longer feels like a boot camp as much as a great routine that I could keep up - if I wanted to be sore all the time.

Other than feeling sore, I feel great! I don’t think I’ll have lost a lot of weight, or even that many inches per se, likely due to the amount of resistance training and muscle work I’ve added to my normal workout routine. But I feel firmer, more energized, stronger, and fitter all around. My clothes fit better, and I’m ready to embrace the holiday season of sweets, cocktails and huge holiday meals without guilt!

Spending four days a week at Get Spun was great - like finding your neighborhood pub where the bartender remembers your name (except here we’re sweating not slurring.) Located on Spadina at Richmond, committing to a gym close to where I live and work has made my goals achievable. And with a new LCBO just down the street (finally), I can reward myself conveniently!

If you have questions or are interested in creating your own boot camp or inquiring about other services, write to the owner: Christie@getspun.ca.

Monday: SPIN
I think attitude is everything. Knowing this is my last week, I practically skipped to my bike and whistled through class. It was a tough class thanks to super fit instructor Patrice, and I spun my way through 45 minutes of cardio hell with a smile on my face (for part of it at least).

Tuesday: FIGHTING FIT
Woah. I’ve been excited to try this class since I started; it’s the talk of the town at Get Spun. Every Tuesday night the class is full, with a waiting list, so I think I always want what I can’t have. The name is perfect, Fighting Fit is a class where you rarely stop moving, have an epic boxing fight with the air, and end up with very sore muscles the next day. At times it’s so hard I definitely felt I was fighting AGAINST fitness. This was probably my favourite after-work class for letting off some steam and getting a serious sweat on. No wonder it’s always full!

Wednesday: Day off.
I’m feeling the fight class: the middle of my back and shoulders do feel like they were in a fight, and I love it. I can hardly stretch I’m so sore, but it’s a happy sore.

Thursday: SPORTS CONDITIONING
I am very sore from Fighting Fit, but this class is amazing. Lunch time, me and four fit guys. I find that I focus better while thinking about how horribly uncoordinated I am next to these athletic types. Running drills, skipping, sprinting, circuit drills…. PAIN. But, I’ll repeat, this class feels like it’s about 20 minutes long, which is great.

Friday: Gravity upper body and core
My last blast! I was totally motivated to make my last class count, and I did. I upped my resistance level for the exercises I felt confident on, and worked up a sweat working my upper body. I have a feeling I won’t be back at the gym for a few days after this week!