Fitness Boot Camp, Personal Trainer, Weight Loss, Exercise Class

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I make a difference in peoples lives every single day.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. What's a typical workout session?

We always begin with an icebreaker/warm-up which gives people a chance to meet each other while getting their bodies moving and getting ready for the fun ahead. From there we move into a higher intensity group session to get everyone fully warmed up, loosened up, and energized through a series of rapid fire dynamic warmup exercises which include plenty of call and response and motivational group singing/chanting. Once I feel confident that everyone’s safely warmed up, we begin the meat of the workout. While the workouts change every session, every class includes at least 20-25 minutes of high intensity interval training where we cycle between strategically combined periods of timed exercises and short rest intervals. Within those intervals I make sure everyone gets their heart rates up and all major muscle groups are covered using bodyweight (like push-ups) and resistance bands. We always finish with some cool down exercises, usually core-focused, and stretching of all major muscle groups.

How do you cater to different fitness levels and interests?

I want everyone to feel comfortable. Since most of what we do is time-based, everyone can work at their own pace. For example, if I tell the class to do as many push-ups as they can in 30 seconds, the seasoned veterans in the group might bang out 20-25 while a new student may do just a few which is all good. I also provide guidance to new students with respect to proper exercise technique and exercise variations for different fitness levels, and I’m constantly walking around checking and adjusting form for all students. I’m obsessed with proper form, safety, and injury prevention.

The constant variation of exercises and workout routines ensures that nobody gets bored and, as I mentioned above, I’m happy to provide guidance for anyone with sport or lifestyle specific training needs. The bottom line is that people get in great shape while having an energizing, effective, and extremely fun workout. I’ve worked hard at creating (and Im constantly refining and improving it) a really powerful program which brings people back to the fun of their school yard days (but without the peer presure and bullies), adds a little military style group energy (but without the yelling and down talking), and creates amazing results consistently.

Do you often train people with specific fitness goals? How can you tailor workouts for them?

Yes. Absolutely. Using regular boot camp workouts as a foundation, I’ve helped clients do everything from losing upwards of 40 pounds to getting in shape for their first 5k to competing in a snow shoe race to improving core and upper body strength and stability in order to make everyday life easier and more enjoyable.

I will work with anyone who has specific goals to properly define those goals (are they realistic, measurable, and specific?), create a program to get them to those goals, and monitor progress and adjust as needed along the way. In some cases, boot camp alone is ample to get people where they want to go. However, in other cases custom tailored programs can include additional “homework” for clients to accomplish outside of boot camp, adjustments to exercises during boot camp, and nutritional and dietary suggestions specific to their goals.

Simply put, If the question is…”Can Captain Quinn’s Fitness Boot Camp help you lose xx lbs or drop x dress sizes?” The answer, as long as the time frame is realistic and you commit to doing your part, is yes. I guarantee it.

How does the group mentality affect the workout?

It creates a wonderful sense of camaraderie and energy. Using call and response, some singing and chanting, and the power of laughter, I make sure that the most powerful and positive aspects of group dynamics fuel the sessions with positive energy. Almost every session includes a team or partner-oriented challenge in which members have to work together to meet a specific goal. While everyone works at their fitness level (from first timer to seasoned athlete), no one is ever left behind and everyone supports their team. We work together to get results but we never compete against anyone but ourselves. The energy in the group along with the sense of teamwork moves everyone to work a little harder and push a little further, and therefore get more out of their workout.