Archive: April 2008

Boot Camp Basics

This one-hour class is unlike anything you've done before

by Tim Kissman

I had to write this story longhand. Every part of my body was sore, including my fingers, after taking Justin Grinnell’s boot camp at the Michigan Athletic Club. Grinnell is a strength and conditioning specialist and personal trainer. I was in the Wednesday morning session and after I finished, I almost decided to dictate this article. I was that tired.

You can’t blame me though. His boot camp, which features a lot of core work and high-intensity training, is the stuff legends are made of. Make it through this hour-long boot camp and you can do anything. Want to make it in the NFL? Try the boot camp. The NBA? Boot camp. Get in shape and feel great? Boot camp. You get the idea.

“People tell me they love the class,” Grinnell, who is a Lansing native and Michigan State University alumni. “Most people are in shock when they take their first class. It’s hard work, but people attending the class realize the benefits of the boot camp and tailor it to fit their needs. It’s not intimidating. I make sure to include everyone. Anyone can do it.” 

The class I was in had 18 participants, which is a normal size, according to Grinnell, 26. There were 12 different stations spread out around the walls of a gym. Grinnell would tell the class what they were to do at every station and then tell them how long they had to do it. Stations consisted of everything from kettlebell workout (where you swing a kettlebell from a squatting position to above your head and back) and lunges to sit ups, crunches, standing jumps and a lot of core body work. 

Grinnell said the class is becoming very popular. When he first brought the class to the MAC, he had eight people attend one session. Now there are 18 people in four weekly sessions.

“We really cater to any type of athlete,” he said, explaining that some of the classes are more intense than others. Most of his classes feature people from all walks of life and fitness level. “I try to push everyone in class to what they can achieve. We have a lot of fun, though. And it’s a great workout.”

By the end of the first circuit, which lasted two minutes per station, I was exhausted. My arms felt like rubber. I was winded and thankful I was done. I stood up, wiped the torrents of sweat away from my forehead. Grinnell said it was only half done and that there was another round of stations ready to roll, plus some sprints at the end.

I told him it was time to write and that I had to stop and watch.

He smiled and told everyone to keep going. That’s boot camp, for ya.

Call the Michigan Athletic Club for information about classes. Drop in costs for the class are $14 per session.