It's time that I "weigh in"... with my opinion of the Bulldog Boot camp - Forest Park, IL…read more
I brought a group-on for forty dollars with the intent of empathizing with my daughter who had recently completed "real" boot camp.
I had twelve sessions, (three times a week for four weeks). This, of course, was just a tasting of what my daughter had to go through. I'm an early riser so I went for 5:30 in the morning - which is great that health facilities are "waking-up" to those of us who like to get a work-out before work! Although, I was on vacation, (I'm a teacher).
I also think that it's important to note that I'm over 50 and I have a chronic health condition - that affects my lungs, joints, and soft tissue. I was also on chemo and steroids for eight years, as this all factors into this review.
When I called to register for the sessions I explained that I checked the reviews on yelp and checked out the videos and I didn't see any one like me, but I was assured that I was not alone - and I was not. There were others who had weight issues, but no over 50 woman, some close, but not so much but...
....Let me emphasize - EVERYONE WAS VERY KIND! EVEN THE OTHER "campers". My initial visit was a shock after not really having a routine program for about the entire school year. I could do NOTHING!!! BUT! EVERYONE WAS VERY KIND.
So, I returned! :-)
Three days for four weeks - just to hear my last name barked out... Such sweet music to mine ears. It reminded me of my high school ROTC days - I often saluted with my left hand. I was easily flustered then as well, when barked at:-) Still, the exercise routine, although very rigorous, was great to get me up and moving.
I can do squats, which translates into normal life in that, I can go up and down the stairs relatively without pain and without taking one stair at a time, (this was my life as recent as two months ago). I can do push-ups, sit-ups that are like crunches, and I have more energy - I can stay awake pass 10. Wow! I used to fall asleep around 8:00 - 8:30. My daughters numbers one and two, (number three is in the army - I also have sons one, two and three - YES! That means I have six children); noticed that I have some muscle tone/definition in my arms. I lift ten pound weights everyday now.
There is much more that I can do that I could not do, thanks to those twelve sessions of boot camp. Sadly, I had to stop because as a teacher there is a real threat of striking, (no, I'm not with CPS, but another district), and I could not justify paying money that could be needed later for things like food, the mortgage, utilities, gas... The boot camp rate is fair, although, I did ask about a discount, (there are discounts for public servants, police and fireman, veterans and students - not teachers).
I've continued pretty much the same routine that was presented to me and it does produce results. Something that the boot camp did that I don't, is time myself. I never cared if I came in first, (which I never did) or last - which was always me. I guess I'm not very competitive. At my stage of the game I care about moving forward, (I was NEVER one for not moving - I am always busy, but busy and exercise are not synonymous - you may quote me :-) The owner always said that we were better than the guy that never gets up and does anything - that we were off of the sofa, (I rarely sit on my sofa and I don't watch t.v.).
Overall, this is a great social sports fitness program for the young to middle aged adults who like competition and direction, (like from a drill sergeant - Gio, I know you're a softy and Wendy - you are prefect at encouragement and enthusiasm). Hopefully, I'll be back during a break from school, (even if we don't strike I leave for school at 5 in the morning to get to school for 6 to set up for the dears that come at 7 and then I don't leave until about 5 in the evening - I think this alone makes me a public servant :-).
Carry on troops!