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A La Brea Living Discovery: Working Out Boot Camp Style |
by David Rivers
A new phenomenon in exercise is sweeping Southern California, and it’s called Boot Camp LA! We know, you hear “Boot Camp” and you immediately think of some crew cut Sergeant screaming in your face with obscenities. It’s time to think differently. How about a well-designed fitness program for men and women of all ages, sizes, shapes and fitness abilities? Boot Camp LA meets at the La Brea Tar Pits next to the Page Museum at your choice of 6 am, 9 am or 6 pm 3 times weekly. This all takes place outdoors in a lush park setting. Everyone does stretches, calisthenics, military style drills, and strength workouts using padded weighted bars, dumbbells, medicine balls, circuit training, running drills, obstacle courses and much more!
The key ingredient is that the workouts are tailored to the individual. You don’t have to be in shape to join! No one gets left behind and the instructors do their best to motivate you in a positive way and make it fun and challenging at the same time. Nutrition is stressed with individual eating plans developed. It’s like having a personal trainer, except you are part of a team. Ages of those in training range from 20 to 65.Jay and Marcella Kerwin started Boot Camp LA 2 years ago. Jay (the “Major”) graduated the Indoctrination Course for the USAF Special Operations Program, one of only seven to finish the program. He is a certified skydiver, scuba diver, pilot and EMT medic, as well as proficient in martial arts and gymnastics. Marcella (the “Lieutenant”) has been an athlete since the age of 10, resulting in several State Track and Field championships for Women’s 400 meters and 4 x 400 Women’s relay. As a former VP for The American Heart Association, she has vast experience in promoting heart health awareness and exercise.
Jay stressed that personal encouragement is important and that each person is known on a first name basis. Each individual is pushed to do his or her best, with Boot Camp being as hard as you make it. A sense of teamwork and competition is developed, with an emphasis on fun. Jay and Marcella want people to laugh as they push them at the same time. The result is that “the recruits” stay in the program, develop healthy eating habits and become fit and happy. When asked what he does when it rains, Jay’s reply was “We break out the ponchos!”
For further information on this unique exercise experience, visit their website at www.bootcampla.com or call 323-938-6179.
