Boston’s Bootcamp

Here’s the deal: Kelsey has been my arch nemesis since 2012. Or is it 2011? Clearly my muscles do not care enough to recall. Regardless, I keep returning to Boston’s Bootcamp each spring, and Kelsey continues to kick my ass. And it’s not just my rear that is kicked (though at times that does legitimately hurt), but my arms, shoulders, quads and that part of your outer leg that nobody knows how to stretch or get a knot out of.
I’ve seen other bootcamps in the city. I’ve gone to a couple of freebie classes to see how they compare to Kelsey’s. I can say with 100% honesty that I do not care to be yelled at through a megaphone (ahem, freebie class who shall not be named), and for those others that I have not attended but everyone participating looks angry, no thanks. I’d rather stay where I am. The thing with Boston’s Bootcamp is that it’s a challenge, no matter if you know what is coming up next or not. Sure, you know you have to do ladders and then sprint to the end and do 10 burpees. Then do it two more times before you move on to a fun-​filled circuit of squat jumps, bear crawls and, just for fun, more push-​ups. Then TWIST! you now have to do suicide sprints, which have never made an appearance before, and they are coupled with 50 jump ropes, some evil doer squat maneuver with a resistance band, and burpee box jumps on the side. My point is that it doesn’t matter what you know or where those surprises are, they are still going to get you. And isn’t that the point???
I have been renewing my class packs for either 3 or 4 years now (still no recollection), and I don’t ever hesitate. Even on those days where I’m convinced that I’m sleep walking, I can go and get my head in the game. Kelsey is great, and she works with you to modify what you can’t do due to injuries, and brings the Matthew McConaughey to each class by cheerfully shouting, not yelling, «Alright Alright, Let’s Go Let’s Go!» And just when you think you’ve got this whole bootcamp thing down, you attend an OCR Beastcamp class on Saturday morning at 9am and you learn you aren’t as awesome as you think you are… But again it doesn’t matter, because the point is to get better, take the breathers and water breaks that you need and go run those suicide sprints and stadium stairs.
Speaking of which, it’s time to throw on the gym clothes and venture out into this cloudy, I-​think-​I-​may-​rain evening and head to class. Whoever is reading this should join us on the Greenway, near the Aquarium T stop.

Kelsey is the devil. The actual devil. It takes a certain kind of cheerful poker-​faced sadism to be really good at that sort of job. An ability to matter-​of-​factly declare that you will be doing more push-​ups and to leave you no option but to at least try it. Because it all sounds so reasonable when she says what’s next. But the fact is, be it legs, arms, abs, cardio, she’s going to keep them all just shy of red-​lining for an hour, and that’s what you’re there for.
I hope she knows that when victims like me are cussing her out, we mean it as the highest compliment.

It’s 7:35am, and I am lying on my back on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, staring up at the Boston skyline. I’m covered in sweat and grass, panting like a Golden Retriever in August, and right about now I’d perform any immoral acts necessary for a pint and a calf massage.
And I feel fan-​fucking-​tastic
No I’m not waking up after another all night bender in Southie (been there, done that, got the t-​shirt). I’m recovering from a workout with Boston’s Bootcamp.
There are a plethora of bootcamp-​style training programs in and around Boston, and over the years I’ve probably tried most of them. That being said, Boston’s Bootcamp is definitely one of my favorites.
The instructor, Kelsey, is awesome. She’s very supportive and motivating, professional but easygoing, and she’s not afraid to kick your ass and all over the place if you give her any shit (ask me how I know).
The classes are well organized, and the program is supported by a very functional website and online registration process.
Classes follow the typical bootcamp-​style workout — lots of cardio drills and bodyweight exercises, resistance bands, jump ropes, and running amuck across the city. The classes are female heavy, but male friendly. Classes are held on the Greenway at State Street — street parking is easy to find for morning classes, but you’ll probably have to take the T or park in a garage for afternoon classes.
And unlike some of its Boston area competitors, the program is reasonably priced.
Also, if you want to spice up your weekend running routine, check out UrbanRun, the Bootcamp’s guided running program.
Now I’m going to go sit in an ice bath and moan for another half hour, but you bet you’ll see my ass on the Greenway first thing Monday morning.

I have been to Kelsey’s bootcamp 5 – 6 times now and enjoy it even more each time. You definitely notice the results the more you go. Stick with it 2 – 3 times per week and it definitely pays off. Good mix of team relays and individual tests of strength, speed and agility. Keep it up, Kelsey!