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Blood, sweat, and peers: Ultimate Bootcamp takes its fitness class outside
By Lauren Beckham Falcone, Boston Herald
March 28, 2005

On the run: Trainers and Ultimate Bootcamp founders Peter Lavelle and Jill Tomich take a jog around the Boston Common (Staff Photo by Patrick Whittemore)

Ultimate Bootcamp might not be the best label for Boston's coolest fitness fad.

``It is like an adult gym class,'' said co-founder Jill Tomich, who, along with partner Peter Lavelle, started Ultimate Boot Camp, a four-week, indoor/outdoor fitness class last year. ``People absolutely love it. It's something that's fun, that gets them out of the house and isn't boring."

Indeed boot camp classes have been popular across the country for some time. And weight-loss reality shows such as "The Biggest Loser" and "Celebrity Fit Club," feauring the big and bulky being whipped into shape, are scoring high in the ratings game, not so much because of what the scale says at the end of the episodes, but because of the grueling fitness regimens the participants are forced to endure.

But while many boot camps have a military style ("Drop and give me 20!") that sends fitness novices running for the exit, Ultimate Bootcamp classes, which are held on Boston Common and Arsenal Park in Watertown, prides itself on a kinder, gentler, yet motivational approach.

Just ask Jennifer, 35, of Waltham, who needed a "kick in the butt" when it came to getting back into shape last year. "I'm not a big gym person," she said. "When I heard it was outdoors, I thought I'd give it a try."

But running around in the heat, cold, rain and mud wasn't easy. "I moaned and groaned during the processs," said the quality insurance engineer. "But I kept showing up. It's a class with other people, so you feel like you have to show up. Plus, it was never the same routine. (They) made sure it was never monotonous."

Tomich said the other bootcampers add a great team element to the classes. "They work so hard because the people around them are motivating them and bringing out the best in everyone," she said. "You know there are days when it's raining and people are in the car and don't want to get out, but when they do, then they roll around in the mud, they go to work or home with some serious bragging rights."

Which is exactly what Karyn Ragonese of Charlestown has after her stint with Ultimate Bootcamp. The executive secretary was training for the Falmouth Road Race last year when she realized she needed a jump-start. Enter Ultimate Bootcamp, where Ragonese thought she'd be forced into a fitter self.

"I got into really good shape, actually the best shape of my life," said the 32-year-old. "I went from a size 6 to a size 0. It's a work-hard, play-hard atmosphere. Sure, I wasn't psyched about running around in the rain, but when you're doing it, it's actually fun. And you go at your own pace. It's not intimidating."

For Tomich, Ultimate Bootcamp is a way for fitness-wary folks who have fallen off the treadmill - so to speak - to get back into shape. "There's a little bit of something for everyone," she said. "There's no screaming. It's about making progress and having fun."

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