Wow, I did a few runs of Oakland Women's Fitness Boot Camp when my kids were little and I needed to get back in shape, and today, post-pandemic, I'm back again. I love it! Don't get me wrong - I am not a gym rat and frankly, I hate fitness classes. Things I love about Oakland Women's Fitness Boot Camp with Anna Gunn are: - Outdoors (yeah, the Lake has goose poop and interesting characters abound, I still love watching the twinkling lights in the dark at the start and then the sunrise over Oakland's lake) - Excellent instruction (I get left and right mixed up for real - Anna's step-by-step instructions work for me) - Alt-exercises (If you have an injury or just need to do partials or fewer reps) - Non-competitiveness (I can do what I can do not what marathoners do and I feel good about it) - So much extra energy: This class starts my day off right. read more

Oakland Adventure Boot Camp - Trainers Near Me - Oakland, California

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I have been coming to Oakland Adventure Bootcamp for more than a decade. It is a un-negotiable part of my weekly routine. Not only is it a challenging but achievable workout that adapts to various fitness levels - there is a great sense of comraderie & community with other regulars - and other exercisers and dog walkers that are part of the early morning community at Lake Merritt. We share all kinds of experiences and tips/ideas. I love exercising outdoors and the accountability of a class with an instructor who provides individual guidance and accomodations at a fraction of cost of a personal trainer. read more

Oakland Adventure Boot Camp - Dorothy's 80th bday - a memorable workout & milestone! - Trainers Near Me - Oakland, California

I have been attending classes with Anna at Oakland Adventure Boot Camp for 10+ years! Once I started, I never stopped. I have always been an active person, but I had never had a workout like the ones with Anna. Why is it so great? Outdoors 365 days a year; total camaraderie from a fantastic group of diverse ladies ranging in all ages and ability - and we all do it for ourselves, together! Every work out is different and I am never bored. I became a lightweight runner with Anna's encouragement after years of hating running. I am consistently better toned, have higher energy, and always have a feeling of accomplishment (and happiness) after each class. Highly recommended - anyone can do it and we have a lot of fun while we're at it! read more

Oakland Adventure Boot Camp - Sunrise with Oakland Adventure Boot Camp - Trainers Near Me - Oakland, California

This class is the best! I just hit the one year mark attending classes taught by Anna. Participating in boot camp has delivered the results I expected (greater strength all around, fewer injuries, better muscle mass and tone) and some that I never imagined (solid new community of people, the magic of watching the city and its people come to life at sunrise, a weekend running crew...I could keep going). Best of all, I leave class feeling happy, energized and confident, which is an amazing way to start the day. If you like exercising outside and like workouts that are different every day, give Oakland Adventure Boot Camp a try! read more

Oakland Adventure Boot Camp - Band workout at sunrise - Trainers Near Me - Oakland, California

So normally I'm not a morning person (noon always seemed like a reasonable time to wake up!) but after a bout of insomnia I found myself walking the lake at the crack of dawn one day. That's when I came across a group of women working out near Lake Merritt. As I sat and watched, I thought "that's who I want to be!". The pandemic left me out of shape, sluggish and overweight. Fed up I decided to join them the very next day. Boy am I glad I did! One month in I find myself eagerly waking up at 5:15 am, a lot more comfortable in my body and with a whole bunch of lovely new friends from the neighborhood! I'm by no means athletic but Anna always checks in with me and offers alternatives to the exercises I can't yet do. I feel no judgment nor pressure from anyone, only support! Every day I get a little better and it feels like we work each muscle. Yes, the lake is smelly, dirty and full of characters but it's worth it to overlook that and instead focus on the fresh air, sunshine, sisterhood (everyone is welcomed) and endorphins! I'm a fan! read more

I know I'm going to have a great day when it starts off at Lake Merritt with Anna Gunn and the awesome women at Oakland Adventure Bootcamp! Anna, the instructor, is the best. She's a true fitness expert who varies the workouts each day, motivating us to give our best while still making the classes accessible to accommodate all fitness levels. Plus she makes it fun! I love that it's all women and that everyone is so friendly, supportive and non-judgemental. If you're looking for an excellent outdoor exercise class come join us! read more

Oakland Boot Camp is the best place to work out. Great and friendly group of women, and Anna is the best instructor. Nothing beats exercising in the great outdoors and jogging along the lake, with the birds chirping and watching the sun rise. Anna varies the classes and exercises, so it's always interesting with something new. Highest recommendation. read more

I am so grateful to have found this Boot Camp. I found it in 2020 when I didn't want to go inside and would never dream of going inside again. Anna is an amazing fitness instructor and always makes everything fun and positive. She also is a positive force for good in the neighborhood, building a great vibe near the lake saying hello to everyone who goes by. I've gained strength and endurance, and have learned so much about how to keep my body fit and also about how to be a good neighbor. It's also so beautiful to be there in the morning and greet the dawn. Thanks Anna! If you are looking for a Boot Camp, this one is the best and and I hope you will join us! read more

I've been going to this Boot Camp now for 8 years. It's always a terrific workout, and I feel so much better when I start my morning with Anna and my bootcamp community. I love that it's all women, so there is zero judgment. I love that it is outdoors, since I work in an office and spend the entire rest of the day inside. I love the community of women who are there to cheer each other on, whether it's running a mile or applying for a promotion at work. Things to know: - It's primarily direct instruction. Anna sends a schedule at the beginning of the week, so you know the basic premise of the class (kickboxing, ladder workout, partner drills, etc.), but she guides you through each move. - It's Lake Merritt. If you live in Oakland, you know that it entails encountering some urban wildlife from time to time. But you also get inspired by how many people come out in the mornings to get their walk/run/tai chi/boxing/whatever kind of workout in. - It's rain or shine. Yes, we work out in the rain! - It's a community. Lots of women there have been coming for years. You can certainly use it as a kick start to getting into shape, but also as a lifestyle of morning fitness. - You get in what you put in. It's not magic...you have to work hard if you want results. But Boot camp makes it easy - just show up and put in the energy. Anna will design the workout to challenge you, and your community will be there to get you out of bed and out to class. read more

Oakland Adventure Boot Camp - Trainers Near Me - Oakland, California

Knowledgeable and motivating instructors: check A positive yet challenging atmosphere: check NO judgements, but no excuses: check Work at your capabilities but constantly improve: check Have fun, sweat AND laugh: check Lifetime fitness: PRICELESS Come out and try a class with Anna or Jennie. You won't be disappointed and if you stick with it you will see results. I've done 24hr, planet fitness, the Y, and many other CrossFit and group workouts and this is one of the best for keeping things interesting and challenging. read more

Best exercise class ever! Anna is the perfect combo of motivating, welcoming, and fun.

Love Anna's classes. Everyday is different but always a good workout. The participants are down-to-earth and all walk of life and abilities. Super-supportive, fun group. read more

Look no further for the perfect workout. Anna's classes are the best hands down. Don't get skunked by "boot camp" - it's a versatile workout mixing weight training and cardio, suitable for beginners (as I was) to people with years of experience. No stuffy gym, workouts held year round in the beautiful great outdoors (with cover if raining). And it's totally fun - there's lots of camaraderie and laughs. Anna is a great instructor, not to mention the nicest person you could meet. Join us! read more

I enjoyed a lot of this boot camp, and I definitely think some people will get into it. This boot camp is great for people with some foundation of fitness, who enjoy outdoor workouts around lake Merritt and are looking for something dynamic with a pretty established community. Anna Gunn is really friendly, funny and very good at what she does and the other participants..kinda range. There is an established community of regulars that is fairly friendly, but in the months I went I never fully felt like I was in it. I also quickly realized it wasn't for me. Here's why: -Intensity: I love a good workout, but was out of shape after COVID. I felt myself being dangerously pushed. While Anna does offer options for many of the exercises, you move so fast you miss them sometimes. My friend got hurt after 3 weeks of class, and I slowly pulled back because I was feeling ready to snap in my knee. -The Lake: I love Lake Merritt! Always will! I DO NOT want to do ground workouts in the area. More often than not, glass, old food, geese poop, urine and more was next to my yoga mat as I was planking. You could smell it. There would also be people outside of the boot camp wandering in the middle of the class, and we were harassed and yelled at multiple times by men. Anna handles things very professionally, but there were some comments made by boot camp participants about the homeless that made me uncomfortable. -Hard to follow: I like a lot of structure in my workouts. I like a known sequence. Anna holds that, in her head. If you expect to walk up and see a white board or have an overview of the day, you won't get that here. The workouts are usually pretty different, but you have to be actively tuned in as it goes pretty fast for me at least. read more

I've been kind of down lately but I found my prozac - boot camp. I have used my babies as an excuse for my roundness for too long. Now that my youngest is 2, I don't think I can technically call anything on my body "baby fat". And at some point during the past few baby making years I have lost track of my waistline - I have no idea where it is and I am determined to find it. Since you can't post Missing Waistline on milk cartons, I signed up for the 5:30 boot camp at Lake Merritt for 4 days a week. I am not a morning person. But what I feared more than the 5 am daily wake up call was the pre-camp evaluation where they record your weight and measurements to compare to post camp results. All my fears were realized and it was confirmed that my waist is OFFICIALLY missing. I figure if I could get through the humiliation of that experience, I could get through anything. The first week kicked my ass! I walked funny all week and I was exhausted from getting up at such an ungodly hour. The second week was challenging but I was in less pain and I found I had more energy. This is my third week. I just signed up through the end of the year. In all honesty, I was hooked from day one. Anna and Jennie are amazing trainers. They work you hard, encourage you, and also manage to make you laugh at 5:30 in the morning. I love the variety of the workouts that are incorporated into the training - I could never work out like that on my own, at home or at any gym. Also, as much as I complain about the early wake up call, I actually LOVE starting my day in the dark and watching the sun come up during the stretches. Boot camp is habit-forming. It is truly my prozac. I still don't know where my waistline is but I don't really care. I feel fantastic and I'm certain I'll find it soon. NOTE: they also offer classes that start at 6:30am and 9:30am. Also, this boot camp is just for the ladies UPDATE (1/10/08): I'm on my sixth camp and have no intentions of quitting. I look and feel so much better but more importantly, I am so happy to be addicted to exercising again. I am also happy that I have shaved off 2.5 minutes from my 1 mile run time since I started boot camp - I signed up for my first 1/2 marathon in May! Sadly though, I still haven't heard from my waistline but I don't think that's due to lack of exercise - it must be my genetic makeup. *sigh* read more

Oakland Adventure Boot Camp - Trainers Jennie & Anna - Trainers Near Me - Oakland, California

I started going to boot camp during quarantine, and it was the best decision ever for my mental and physical health! It is very safe because it's outdoors, participants stays spaced apart appropriately, and the teacher is very mindful of following all COVID-19 guidelines while delivering a stellar workout. It's also a really great group of ladies and I've enjoyed the camaraderie during such a difficult time. It really makes my day to watch the sun come up as my day begins. While everyone else is just waking up, you feel refreshed and energized for your day because your workout is done by then! Thank you Anna and Oakland Adventure Boot Camp for making my day, every morning!! read more

Anna and Jennie - what gems! I'm sure my attitude is not unique. I was hesitant to enroll at first and didn't believe I could stick to a bootcamp. Anna made it super easy and approachable. After the first week, I understood exactly why this is such a popular bootcamp, and why people stick with it for YEARS (seriously, some of the ladies in the group has been doing it for 8-9 years). I'm impressed by the instructors attitude and attention to each bootcamper. It's loads of fun, and they crack me up! I'm looking forward to another session of the bootcamp. What a positive group! Thanks for existing! :) read more

Don't let that picture fool you. The two women pictured SEEM nice. Until they start laughing while your muscles are trembling as the sun rises over the lake. Why don't you go run over there, they say casually. So you run....then you start doing jumping jacks....then when you go to run back you have to maneuver through some cones. Oh and then do some sort of twisty lunge thing until the entire group returns. Then, when you're tired, let's do some ab work!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THIS SHIT BITCH*???????? That's what I'm thinking because I haven't had coffee yet. I don't say it, because my parents raised me better than that, it's not nice to curse at someone when you have paid them good money to have them whip you into shape. But my muscles are thanking me for the early morning work out. I just washed down some ibuprofen with amino vital before writing this review. *ETA 4/7/08. Just for clarification, they are NOT Bitches, they are great trainers. That's why I've taken 3 sessions and told my family to stop buying me useless chotckstys and just get me gift certificates for boot camp instead. read more

I wish i had discovered this workout over the summer -then I might have actually ventured outside in a swimsuit at some point during the season! At least I have now discovered the amazing exhausting ass-kicking adventure that is bootcamp and I have plenty of time to get in shape for next season. What is bootcamp? You haul your lazy ass out of bed at 5:30am or 6:30am, depending on the class you signed up for (usually 4 week sessions). Who knew the alarm could even be set that early? Throw on some sweats and a sports bra. Grab 10 lbs of weights and a yoga mat. Head to the lake. 6:30am on the dot - lunges, jumping jacks, cheerleader lunges, squats (oh the squats!), then run THROUGH THE ARCHES of Lake Merritt, back to grab your weights for 25 side lifts, front lifts, triceps, biceps, oh my! then, THROUGH THE ARCHES. Then back for pushups, tricep dips, more lunges. Then THROUGH THE ARCHES. Then an obstacle course. Then run up the Cleveland Cascade stairs. Then some killer abwork and it's home to shower up and start your day! This is some serious ass-kicking and will whip you into shape like you never knew! Forget 24 hour fitness and "yoga aerobics." Sign for this bootcamp and let these trainers show you how it's done. Factor in the comfortable, supportive ladies-only setting, exercises that let you go at your own pace, high-energy instructors and a scenic lakeview and you should be digging your running shoes out of the closet right now! The best workout I've ever had, seriously motivating. This is exactly what I needed to get myself into gear before the new year. I can't wait till my second session starts! read more

I did three sessions in this bootcamp, and it was really good for what it was. It got me off the couch for the first time and these two women are great. They do give you a good workout, particularly if you've never worked out before. BUT, and here is the reason for the two stars, the classes are WAY WAY WAY too big. Its entirely too easy to get lost in the crowd and I didn't realize I was doing some exercises wrong until weeks into the program, because there is no way they can actually interact with each person. Also, I wasn't really "motivated". I know... I know... my motivation should come from within... but, when you have been a couch potato... sometimes you need the motivation to come from your trainers. Again, I really like Jennie and Anna. And, in no way is this a reflection of them. I really think its just the way the program is set up. Having 30 people in a class with 1-2 trainers just isn't going to work. Plus, its not a progressive program. (i.e. same class pretty much month after month). It seems like the course should be based on ability and get progressively more difficult. But, again, with the way the program is structured, and training 30 people at the same time, that is impossible. Plus, its really expensive if you plan to do it for any length of time. I joined another east bay boot camp, (FitBoot in Alameda) and its super hardcore, which may not be for everyone, but after a very short time, the difference in the two programs is dramatic. Lots of personal attention and progressive training. read more

I discovered this camp 5 month before getting married. Weighing in at 165 lbs, I reached my goal (well almost) weighing in at 142. Dropping 23 lb. Combined with WW I saw results immediately, losing 5lbs in the first session....doing it the healthy way kept the lbs off for a while. I have returned several times throughout the years and enjoy the women that teach the class. WARNING: If you decide to have a one-on-one personal session with JENNY, she will push you and make you work out REAL hard, but that is why I love these gals. I have nothing but good things to say about Oakland Bootcamp read more

This boot camp is awesome. I have been going off and on regularly for a year, and can now do a full fledged feet-on-the-ground, body straight, push up! I hear the 5:30AM and 6:30AM classes at Lake Merritt are extremely well attended and it seems like a very convenient time -- if I could get up that early. Thank goodness they have the 9:00AM class in Temescal. The sun is out, and the birds are chirping, and the brook is bubbling and we are all running around the lake, and working really hard. Jenny and Anna know everyone's names, they perform and check and correct everyone's form, as well as keeping us aware so that we don't injure ourselves. It is a really hard workout with an excellent outdoor setting and awesome workout group! Keep going guys, I'm there! read more

I joined the Oakland Adventure Boot Camp to shed some baby weight and get back into working out after having my daughter. At first I was very nervous to be involved with such a large fitness group, and it was obvious that most of the women had been doing this for a while, but once I got over the initial shyness, everything was great! I'm not sure how the instructors manage to be so perky and friendly at 6:30am, but it's really motivating and I appreciate it! The workouts go quickly, so you've got to pay attention. I think it took me halfway into my second week before I was able to keep up. The class sizes are large, but I didn't feel overlooked. Overall, I am very happy with the experience. I may not have lost all the weight I was hoping to lose, but it's not all about the numbers. I can see an obvious difference in my body when I look in the mirror, my clothes fit better, and I feel longer, leaner, and much less lumpy. Most importantly, I feel better about myself! read more

Okay, I had a serious problem no motivation to exercise and no time. two kids single mom how the hell do you work in "going to the gym" etc. Answer: get up at 4:30 am stretch in my living room, move drive 2 minutes to boot camp. Put my phone in baggie in sock in my bra (emergencies for kids to call) Do one hour of vigorous training, IE: cardio, weights, etc. Go home take shower get kids ready for school etc. and be the super single working mom role that I signed up for (well kinda) ! I feel GREAT!!!!! I am definitely hooked on this and it's only been two weeks. I have signed up for another 5 day a week session and will then switch to a 3 day a week session each month. Literally this was the only way to get myself motivated and doing it.. I swear I already feel the difference. The trainers are great, energetic, nice and cute! the women in the group are nice too, Oakland Boot camp have created a really cool program --using the public space for a really awesome workout.....plus, if you need to do lower impact stuff you can likewise for those who can do higher impact. The only downside is that I had trouble with following the moves and was concerned about my form and doing the exercises correctly, so I just try and get there early enough so that I am in the front row. The terrain is also a semi-annoyance in that it's not always the best for balance etc. and the groups of women sometimes fairly large (due to a construction project that is interfering with our space). read more

I am so grateful to have found this program! Anna is a powerhouse and keeps classes fun, challenging and varied. She has created a welcoming community and the class a great choice for people at all fitness levels. I love exercising outside, and the timing works perfectly with my crazy schedule. The class has made me so much stronger and after two sessions, I took over 2 minutes off my mile. I also just completed my first 5K which I would never would have considered doing before Oakland Adventure Boot Camp. Thank you, Anna! read more

On a sunny Monday morning, as I waited for a running buddy to take a training run around Lake Merritt, I noticed this group of women squatting and hoisting weights and otherwise following instructions delivered in this delightful drawling voice (Jennie ...) and I thought: I can do that! On Friday of the same week, when I spied them out there again, doing different stuff, I said 'I wanna do that' to my running buddy. So I signed up. That was a couple of months ago. During my first 4-week session, I was so bone tired, so stiff from engaging muscles I must have been ignoring studiously during my individual training, that I thought I was going to die! But I persevered, and I am glad. Anna and Jennie run a fun, engaging program, during which you work up a sweat, share some smiles and get all your money's worth in clear and direct instruction and really good workouts. And it isn't just the workout. Every week for this Summer session, I've gotten upbeat emails offering me more challenges and nutrition hints. I needed a jump-start to my fitness regime. I was doing OK - I run half-marathons - between running and cross training and strength training, but I was bored, staring into the gym mirror and counting my reps alone. And I figured if I was bored, then the workout wasn't as effective. The Adventure Boot Camp has upped the ante. I have new tricks to add to my workouts at my gym, and I know I can sign up for 4-week sessions periodically to throw a little muscle confusion into the mix. I love this boot camp. I keep telling my girlfriends about it. And they keep saying the difference shows! read more

I'm super happy to have found out about Oakland Adventure Boot Camp! I am loving the lakeside venue, the supportive and fun atmosphere, the thoughtful variety of the workouts, and the attentiveness of our instructor, Anna. With each class I can feel myself getting stronger and more fit. THE BEST THING OF ALL is that the sciatic pain I've been dealing with for years--that miserable, daily pain I never thought would go away--has actually lessened to the point that I'm barely noticing it. I only wish I had found out about OABC sooner and recommend it highly to any woman looking to feel stronger, fitter, and better. read more

If you have the jingle and want some fun getting a great workout, this. is. it. Both the instructors (and Mary, too) are very good at what they do. They are very careful; they watch you with those eagle eyes so you don't get hurt, help you with tips and tricks and generally tweak your technique so you get the biggest bang out of your workout. Plus, they are really sweet about it. This gushing praise is coming from me, the weakling of the class! I am very glad I found them- thanks Anna and Jennie. read more

I love Boot Camp with Anna and Jennie! They are cheerful and motivating in the chilly dark at 6:30am. I feel energized after each workout. I hurt a bit the next day, but that just means I'm getting stronger! This workout is for women at almost all fitness levels. You just need to come ready to work, push yourself a bit, and know your limits. Anna and Jennie can provide modifications if you need them. I like that the class starts early enough for me to get to work. And that my fellow exercisers are encouraging and kind so early in the morning! To me, it's a much better deal than a gym that I'd never go to... read more

This is a killer workout. It was exactly what I was looking for - a lot of strength building activities, but also plenty of cardio. I attended the 5:30am (ouch) bootcamp for several months while I was training for a marathon and it kicked my butt every time. Anna and Jennie are so great - I have no idea how they teach the class twice in a row because I could barely walk after just 1 hour. They are inspiring, the class is motivating, being outside is incredible, and the group is friendly. I loved the class so much, but ultimately for me I need exercise variety (including yoga or other classes) and for the price I couldn't afford another gym on top of this. I would absolutely recommend this class though. read more

i started going back to the gym about three months before i started camp. i figured, i've already started getting back in shape, how hard can it really be?? uhm, it's HARD. but oddly enough, it's kind of FUN (that was for you jennie). i'm not an morning person, or an outdoorsy kind of person, or some sick person who enjoys working out...and now, well i sort of am (okay, i still hate getting up in the morning), all thanks to boot camp. i could go on and on about boot camp, but the proof is in the numbers: first week of bootcamp, i did 27 push ups, 29 sit ups, and ran the mile in 11 minutes and 3 seconds. at "graduation" today, i did 31 push ups, 51 sit ups, and ran the freakin' mile in 10 minutes and 11 seconds (my personal best). that's a huge mileston f or me. i was always the girl who walked the mile in gym class (in barely under 20 minutes). i'm also proud to say that i've lost 8 lbs during camp. feeling self-conscious or worried that you wont be able to keep up? i am seriously the most uncoordinated person in the world. i also really like the fact that there aren't a bunch of stick thin girls in class either (because that would have pissed me off ;)). read more

What OABC does well - - A consistent work-out at convenient times - Variety in the workout - Women only environment, if that matters to you - Teaches that you don't need a lot of equipment do get a workout - Outside rather than being in a gym Areas of opportunity - Working through movements at a fast pace it is challenging for most to maintain good form and get deep into the muscle - Warm up is the same everyday - Many contraindicated moves - ie in a squat asking that you tuck your hips rather than working to keep the spine in a neutral position - A litlle old school in challenging participants to work with heavier wgts rather than going for full muscle contraction with a smaller wgt. I am coming up to the end of my second session and I OABC has provided me with a place for a consistent workout as well as accountability - it is rain or shine. In casual conversation with other participants no one has been able to quantify any physical accomplishments ( ie. I lost 10 lbs, I have increased energy, I can run around Lake Merritt as a result of this training) but they have said that this work out keeps them accountable, because of the choice of 5:30 or 6:30, they can always get a work out in, they enjoy being outside and being able to show up and being led through a workout. - read more

Great boot camp, helped get me motivated and in shape. In the end, I found the 5am wake up time just a bit too early to do another 3-4 week session. I was looking for a boot camp to kick start my 2011 New Year's resolutions and Jenny and Anna delivered! read more

If being out of shape was an Olympic sport, I would have had a gold medal. I was brutally out of shape and approached this is much hesitation. After my first meeting with Jennie I was at ease. She is compassionate, knowledgable, genuinely interested in helping each participant push themselves. She met me exactly where I was, and helped guide me to a more in shape body. She did a great job at providing me with the modifications so that I got a good workout at my fitness level. While I expected to feel bad about myself for being so out of shape, I left every one of her sessions feeling both challenged and respected. I have been a teacher and I know how hard is it to have lots of different levels in one class. Jennie is a five star instructor. The early morning classes are much larger and as a result I found it a little harder to get a wide variety of modifications, and the excerises seem to move faster, but once I knew my modifications it was ok. Ana is a great trainer, but I feel like I will benefit from her workouts more when I need fewer modifications. Having said that, she is mindful to watch for folks who need modifications. Why not 5 stars? It is pricey. A valuable investment, but pricey and may not be able to do this long term. read more

I never thought I'd say that I "love" exercise ... but I LOVE Anna and Jennie! Despite the fact that it's 6:30am, I inevitably smile when I see them. They are extremely conscientious with what they do - ensuring my positioning is correct and that we always have alternatives. Plus they mix it up every day so I'm never bored. I have gained strength and endurance over the past several months and feel great! HIGHLY RECOMMEND. read more

Back to the sort of *old* location on the side of the Lake by the Pergola. No mosquitoes. Yay.

My very favorite of all Boot Camps. I will be back soon!!

I have run every morning, if you can call what I do running, with various dog(s), for the past 33 years, first around Central Park in NYC, then in the hills of the Western MA woods, then the Alameda bike path when i moved here in November 08 and now around Lake Merrittt. I am a solitary exerciser, always have been, hardly ever bothered to enter a race (maybe 4) and hated the sensation of competition. I just get up at 5:30 am and "do it". I'm slow but I go. If I don't do anything else good for the day, at least I get my run in. I find it inspiring to run by these classes and see others getting up early and trying to get/stay fit. Go for it ladies - my only problem - I wish I knew a few of you - its hard to make friends in a new city when your child is an adult and you also work alone all day. Keep on pushing yourselves, it feels great when you get it done!!! read more

I've never been the gym type. And since I live in the hills, running isn't too appealing. Hiking around Lake Temescal one day, I saw this group of women working out. I joined last fall and I'm never quitting. I love being outside, I love that it's just women, I love that they make me work harder than I would ever on my own. Boot Camp kicks some serious derriere, but mine is pretty buff now thanks to Anna and Jennie. read more

I love boot camp. I've been coming for the last two years and am healthier and happier as a result! Though they are the fittest two people in the bay area, Jennie and Anna are totally supportive and non-judgmental. They provide authentic encouragement to everyone in the class, even the slow-coaches like me. This is a great place for those of us who need a little nudge to keep up those healthy habits. read more