A Feb. 16 Weekend article incorrectly described Patrick "The Sarge" Avon as the founder of the Sergeant's Program fitness boot camp. Grant Stockdale founded the Sergeant's Program in 1984; Avon has owned the program since 1989.
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Sir, Yes, Sir!
Another distinctly un-military feature is the time: 9:15 a.m. Early-morning classes are still a boot camp staple, but as its popularity grows, so do class offerings and times. You can now find a boot camp class that meets after work as easily as you can find one that starts at the crack of dawn. Late-morning and afternoon classes are also becoming available.
In addition to flexible times, pricing remains competitive as more boot camps crop up. The cost, less than hiring a personal trainer, can range from $6 to $20 a class and vary by length of contract or days per week.
 Doug Vasiliadis, 45, of Great Falls, leads Active Duty Fitness for Women at the YMCA in Reston, VA . (Michael Temchine - FTWP) |
Some boot camps offer classes five days a week, while others meet three or four times a week. Boot camp programs have become more flexible as they meet and reflect the growing needs of those enrolled.
Vasiliadis, 45, started Active Duty five years ago. In his 20 years as a personal trainer and owner of One to One Fitness, a chain of personal training studios based in McLean, Vasiliadis developed definite ideas about what women wanted from their workouts. He wanted to develop a boot camp around the themes of positive reinforcement, acceptance and camaraderie, noting that women appeared to enjoy group activities with other women more than men did.
His goal was to create a noncompetitive environment where accomplishments -- such as losing three pounds or shaving a minute off a mile run -- were highlighted. At the same time, he wanted to make sure that women with advanced fitness levels could be pushed to their limits.
On first meeting, Vasiliadis cuts an imposing figure. Tall, muscled and a dead-ringer for Mr. Clean (minus the earring), he looks every inch the part of the tough drill instructor. By the middle of my first session, I realize our fearless leader (you would have to be fearless to be the only man in a group of 30 women and ordering workout instructions) was less drill sergeant and more fitness coach. With an easy smile and endless reservoir of patience, Vasiliadis's work was to kindly encourage, correct and instruct us. Over and over again.
Could this kinder, gentler stuff really make for a hard workout?
Absolutely. But what's difficult for me may not be hard for my neighbor to the left, who is trim and fit and into "adventure racing" and weekend 5Ks.
To accommodate all levels of fitness, Vasiliadis breaks the group down into "red," "white" and "blue" subgroups. While I may be sweating it out, sucking in my abs and holding a "plank" maneuver (holding a push-up position on hands and toes) for what feels like forever, those at a more advanced level are holding the same plank position while doing alternate straight-leg raises, working their abductors and their core balance and probably cleaning their ovens at the same time. At the most advanced level, women around me are holding the plank and doing leg raises while raising their opposite hand (basically balancing on one hand and one foot). Vasiliadis offers a modification on every exercise for intensity, health or fitness level, so everyone is challenged. My lack of fitness ability doesn't slow their more advanced workout, and their advanced workouts serve to inspire me and give me a goal to work toward.
Vasiliadis not only wanted to meet varied exercise needs, he also wanted to deliver them in a way that women would appreciate.
"Women don't want to bang their helmets together," Vasiliadis explains.
"They want to give each other a hug."
