TRAINING CAMP

Workout uses military regimens to help people get into better shape

JIM MILLER/VIEWAnne Poliquin, left, and Jennifer Cohen lift a weighted tube above their heads as part of their Boot Camp Las Vegas workout held recently at Mountain View Park in Henderson. Advertisement

Julie Ryan ran marathons, but couldn't drop the extra 30 pounds of weight she carried on her body.

The Henderson resident took a dramatic step to get the weight off when she started Boot Camp Las Vegas. She enlisted a body builder friend to meet her and a few others at a local park, where they began working out five days a week.

"I started it because I wanted to join the military just for the boot camp, but you can't do that," Ryan said.

While trying to drop the pounds, she said she refused to diet.

"I thought if I worked out really hard, I'd be able to lose my weight."

It's a year and a half later, and Ryan not only has lost the weight, but she also is one of seven boot camp instructors and a certified personal trainer.

The classes, which are held all over the valley Monday through Friday, are different every day. The routines borrow workouts from track and field, soccer and other sports. They include Pilates, yoga, body building and military regimens.

"I've taught a thousand classes, and not one has been the same," Ryan said.

Exercising at a gym always bored Ryan, and she said she isn't coordinated enough to do aerobics.

"I really wanted to have an outdoor workout that has the motivation of a group," she said.

Boot Camp members range in age from 20 to over 50 and sign up at all fitness levels. Men and women can take a trial class before enrolling in a four-week session, and there is a beginners class held at Centennial Hills Park, 7200 N. Buffalo Drive.

Beginners use lighter weights and walk instead of running during some exercises.

"We don't want anyone to get hurt," Ryan said.

Although competitions are part of the workouts, member Jeff Smith said everyone encourages one another.

"When I'm finishing a course and I see someone struggling, I will run back and finish up with them, to support them," he said.

Members start out with different athletic abilities, but Ryan said they all have a common goal, to get in shape, and they don't mind a little hard work -- even the instructors were members first.

Anne Poliquin joined the boot camp for her 50th birthday. She was a little intimidated, but said the motivation is what keeps her going back.

"You never feel like you're on the sidelines and not being picked for the team," she said.

Boot camp packages range from $150 for three days a week for four weeks to $200 for five days a week for four weeks.

The program will begin working with children this fall at an after-school program. The first school to participate is Smith Middle School, located at 1301 E. Tonapah Ave. in North Las Vegas. Ryan said she wants to get out to every school if she can.

Ryan suggested participants come out to the boot camp at least three times a week, but said five is even better.

"If you can get addicted to working out, you don't ever have to worry about weight loss again," she said.