Brooklyn Bridge Boot Camp

I’m a fitness junkie. At the end of an exercise class, if I’m not drenched in my own sweat, I’m unsatisfied.
Arianne’s bootcamp DELIVERS. She is such an awesome trainer. At first, I was a bit self-​conscious about being one of few guys in the class. I quickly got over it as the class starts. Arianne is tough, but inspiring at the same time. She really coaches through the tough moments.
My favorite part is using resistance bands on my already-​fatigued arms and legs. And then, just when you think you’ve survived the class, Arianne wips out a KILLER leg routine.
The hour just flies by. Seriously one of the best bootcamps I’ve been to.

This review is specifically for Ariane’s Slim and Strong Bootcamp classes!
This summer I was determined to change my life and commit to a fitness régime. I tried to work out using Blogilates videos but I always lost motivation half way and stop. I constantly made excuses for myself. Thus, I was hesitant about signing up for Ariane’s 4 week Slim and Strong Bootcamp.
I am so thankful that I did it. There were weeks when I wanted to not go to class. I was losing motivation, especially during Week 3! The classes were getting harder and I was beginning to lose motivation. But Ariane is awesome. She is motivating andis not afraid to tell you off when you are not putting your best effort! Her classes are never the same and she constantly mixes things up to make them exciting.
I was initially skeptical about the results that I would get after participating in the Bootcamp. I was pleasantly surprise with my progress and results! I actually lost inches and I was actually beginning to love the feeling of working out. To top it off, I came in first for the most changed from participating in the bootcamp. That was definitely a shocker! If someone told me that I would skip shake shack with friends for a work out class, I would tell them that they are crazy. But I was willing to do that for this class!
Ariane has recently opened up her slim and strong classes (both for the morning and evening sessions) for one time sign up! So you would not need to commit to the whole entire four weeks to experience Ariane’s awesomeness!

Pros: solid workout. Fun to be outside. Great views.
Cons: extremely hectic weekend traffic. Impossible to fit it in to a normal workday. No storage of any kind. Whatever you bring, you need to carry on you during your workout.
I was looking forward to this, but ended up leaving about halfway through. Weaving through the tourist traffic was just more annoying than it was worth… Especially when you’re also carrying water, phone, ect. It would probably be awesome during the week, but impossible because even if you belong to a nearby gym where you can change, you can’t bring a bag.
I agree with other posters that you do need to have some level of fitness and general knowledge coming in. They dive in head first to a lot of high impact jump squats and lunges on the cement without any discussion or correction of form.
Overall I learned some new exercises and it was a good sweat, but there are other bootcamps with comparable prices, and locker rooms (with showers). Even road runners will watch your bag!

I have been going to Ariane’s Slim and Strong classes for over a year now, and they are literally the only thing I have ever found that can get me out of bed before 6am to work out. Or really, out of bed early to work out at all. I can’t get up at 7 to go running on my own, but I will pull myself out of bed three times a week for the morning session (don’t worry, there are also evening sessions) of slim and strong. I’ve only taken Slim and Strong classes, so I can’t speak to the outdoor classes, and I’ve only been to one evening session.
Slim and Strong involves intensive interval training. It is not for the faint of heart. Or rather, if you are faint of heart, come here, and you will be substantially less faint of heart after a few sessions. I absolutely disagree with Kirsten’s assertion that Ariane does not correct poor form. She absolutely does, and if you are new to class (most people stick around, so you make friends and get to know people who come every month) and need help on your form she will tell you to set up close to her in the front of the class. I was one such person. Ariane is tough, but never makes you feel bad about yourself. She will call you out if you are slacking and she knows or suspects you can give more, but she will never make you feel badly about your ability level. If you have back problems, get dizzy sometimes, or are pregnant, she will give you modified movements and help make sure you are being safe.
I took a little break from classes to study for the bar exam, and to attend crossfit with my fiancé because I wanted to be encouraging. I thought crossfit, while fun and challenging, was not as effective as a whole-​body workout, and would potentially cause injuries. Ariane’s class will always leave me sore (and the first day back from a month off will make it hard to sit down in chairs or on the toilet because the move resembles a squat!) but happy. They are never easy. If you think they are easy, switch to full body push ups. Switch to push ups with one arm. Take deeper squats and use heavier weights. It never gets easy, and it never gets boring.
Speaking quickly about Ariane, she is incredible and a huge inspiration. She is funny, smart, in ABSURDLY good shape, and very no-​nonsense about what works and doesn’t work. If you are working out 7 times a day, but eat crap and aren’t seeing the changes you want to see, she will call you out on it. Her nutritional advice is golden.
So if you want to be a stronger, healthier, more fit version of yourself, definitely sign up for slim and strong. It’s better than any personal trainer I’ve ever been to. you won’t regret it. At least until the first session is over and you can’t sit on a toilet or walk down stairs without worrying your legs will give out. But that will pass, and you will be so glad you signed up.

BBBC is the real deal. It works. Plain and simple. No matter what kind of shape you’re in, the first class is tough but know that it gets better. You will be able to pound out push ups, squats, jump jacks like no other and feel good about how much you’ve improved.
I’ve seen results, and have also witnessed others who have experienced life change in how they approach work outs and food. Unlike group fitness classes at gyms, there is a community at BBBC. If you’re in the Slim and Strong program, you’re paired up with a partner to motivate you and hold you accountable. But even if you’re not, the other people in the classes are welcoming and you’re likely to make new friends with common health goals.
You’ll leave each class feeling beaten but stronger. You’ll want to come back for the torture.

Before BBBC, I was desperately out of shape, lazy, constantly out of sorts, all those things, and I felt totally OK about being that way. I thought I’d be that way for the rest of my life and was slowly accepting it. Due mainly to an accident I had as a child, I was told for years that I couldn’t do X, Y and Z, that I didn’t have enough strength, coordination, balance, etc., and I believed all of it. When I first found out about BBBC, I told my mom about it, and even she insisted that I was too out of shape to see the course through.
I can’t lie, I signed up for Slim and Strong to prove her wrong, but also because I needed to change my life, if only for that month.
The course is tough. There is no doubt about that. Ariane is a great leader and has the skills to answer any fitness and/​or nutrition question you throw her way. One thing about Ariane you might not like so much — the way she smiles through the whole workout. It’s maddening. You’ll never know if she smiles because she likes to put people through hell, or if she smiles because she’s proud of what her babies can do. I’m going to go with the latter. She just enjoys seeing you at your best. She is a walking testament to the way fitness and nutrition can change every other aspect of your life, making you one of those people who smiles constantly. Quite unpopular in parts of this city, but a good thing for you.
You will see some things you didn’t know were possible. Like doing 100 jumping jacks (with resistance band), 300+ push-​ups, innumerable donkey kicks, and a big, macho dude excusing himself 10 minutes into the first class to go barf when you are trying like hell to keep up and doing a kick ass job of it.
After a few weeks, you will see some more things you only thought were possible on other people: cuts on your abs and arms and a really nice butt. Ariane’s methods work. Seriously, there is no need to go anywhere or do anything other than follow her teachings to lose weight and gain muscle.
You will feel proud of yourself after every class. You will want to go to Philly and run up the same steps that Sly did in Rocky — but faster. You will walk around confident in yourself. You will feel beautiful and it will radiate. You will realize that all those skinny so-and-so’s you’ve been hating on can hardly do a push-​up and being thin without being fit is definitely not what it’s cracked up to be (I can’t tell you how great that feels). You will think nothing of riding the subway home all sweaty with hair out of place, because you’ll feel too awesome to worry about such trivial things.
You will know that YOU are serious business.
I will own up to this — I have not kept up my results after Slim and Strong as much as I should have. It’s been over two years. But I still carry many of Ariane’s fitness and nutrition tips with me wherever I go. I think of her when I do sit-​ups, because it was in her class that I finally developed the strength to do one. I think of her every time I have a protein shake after a work out and seriously ponder whether I’m drinking my shake within the prescribed hour to feed my muscles. I think of her when I look at the backs of my arms and see those little tricep cuts. I love them.
If you want to find out for yourself what you can do, instead of listening to other people tell you what you are capable of, I strongly suggest you take Ariane’s class.
Ariane didn’t change my life, nor will she change yours. That’s another thing you’ll realize. You changed your life, and she was just there to help lift you up.

This bootcamp is awesome. I did crew in high school and in college and this workout definitely matches up. I’ve done a few outdoor classes and slim & strong. The instructors are attentive and friendly. Even though they’re supposed to kick your ass, they come off as encouraging and I can respect that. It makes me work a lot harder.
Also S&S has great music! That definitely helps as well.

Damn not going to lie, this boot camp offers one of the BEST view especially when you are over looking the city. The trainers there are JACKED as hell which motivates you to go harder and harder. You would care less about the visitors from out of town taking pictures of you and just staring at you when you’re doing your work out. I highly recommend this place for people who just want to change their workout and just step outside and enjoy the beautiful view of nyc.

Ariane is an excellent trainer, she’s full of encouragement, knowledge, inspiration, and energy! As long as you do as she recommendsd when it comes to working out and eating habits, you will achieve weight loss and gain muscle.
I thouroughly enjoyed her slim and strong classes. I took the slim and strong program for the first time last September, and dropped 10lbs. Six months later, still following her excercise and diet recommendations (but by myself) I maintained my weight but dropped 2% body fat. I returned for another month of slim and strong in March. I love it!
She just released a DVD this week, and I bought it straight away. It arrived yesterday and I done it this morning. Love Love Love it!
Ariane’s work out is good for your body, and for your mind. I haven’t not felt this healthy mentally and physically in a long long time.
DO IT!!! :)

I suspect Ariane Hundt of being not only Wonder Woman, but also Athena, goddess of wisdom. As she is kicking your booty during Slim & Strong, she spouts wisdom about your body and how to feed it, about life, and about all you’re capable of. She is inspiring, fun, and she motivates you to reach your goals.
When you sign up for Slim & Strong you get 4 weeks of indoor classes (MWF) and a few outdoor sessions to schedule on your own. The class uses your own body weight, bands and free weights. There are a lot of push ups, squats, jumping jacks, and everything in between. The class is a bit too big for individual «mothering» but Ariane corrects you when she sees you doing something wrong, and calls you out if you’re half-@$$ing it. If you have issues with any of the exercises you can talk to her and she’ll happily give you modified movements. Take the initiative. It’s you’re body. Take care of it.
You won’t be able to keep up with her at the beginning, but don’t be discouraged. Stick with it, do what you are capable of, and a few weeks later you’ll find that you’re capable of so much more. Of course she keeps upping the intensity, but your body needs it so it doesn’t become accustomed to it and stagnate. I lost 5 pounds and about 2% body fat after 6 classes this past April. Ariane inspired me to workout independently and she gave me a solid foundation to build on in terms of nutrition, strength, and attitude.
I got the 10-​Pack of outdoor classes to supplement my personal routine. The Brooklyn Bridge workout takes some of the exercises done in Slim & Strong, and incorporates running, and the use of stairs, rails and benches. With the crowds of tourists it’s better to go earlier rather than later. Book it as soon as it becomes available because it fills up quick.
The Central Park workout is essentially the same as the one on the Bridge. It’s usually a smaller group and is led by Trevor who kicks your booty just as much as Ariane does. It offers more space to workout, tons of greenery, and you avoid the exhaust from all the cars. I prefer it over the Bridge sometimes.
All in all a great program run by some great teachers. I’d like to try the running class sometime with Terence. After working out on my own for a bit I will probably be signing up for Slim & Strong again.

This was a kick ass bootcamp! I’ve done a few other boot camps around the city, and a bunch of sports inspired circuit workouts at my gym, but this was by far the best I’ve taken. The instructor, Ariana, pretty much goes non stop for the entire class with very high intensity moves. Lots of plyometrics and compound moves keeps your heart rate up the entire time. Another thing I really liked about the class is that the instructor pretty much does the entire workout along with the class. Given that it’s such a high intensity class it’s pretty impressive, and very motivational, that she can do the entire workout multiple times a day.
The only potential negative to the class is that it’s really not for beginners. Because she’s working out along with the class, I didn’t really see her doing much correction when people were performing exercises incorrectly… although I wasn’t really paying much attention to what other people were doing… maybe everyone was doing everything correctly? Either way, newbies to exercise shouldn’t really be doing things like jump squats, especially if they don’t know how to squat correctly, etc… somebody could get hurt. But I guess that’s an issue for the newbies. I thought the class was fantastic. I would definitely go back again when I need a kick ass workout :-)

I’m puzzled by all of the 5 star reviews on here.
I wasn’t all that impressed. I’ve been to the indoor bootcamp classes and did Slim and Strong last year. I really thought the classes were a bit reckless. The instructor failed to properly explain the exercises. She never reviewed the proper form with the class and just lurched from one exercise to the next. I am all for a fast-​paced workout. But, looking around the room, most people in the class were using bad form that could cause injuries. Folks were scrambling to keep up and the teacher never stopped to explain how the exercises should be executed. Indeed, I hurt my neck in one of the classes and decided not to return.
Also, the room they use at Nimble Fitness is in the basement and has poor ventilation. It gets insanely hot during the classes and is pretty gross.
I think there are better programs out there and that Brooklyn Bridge Boot Camp is over-​hyped.

Three words– Changed. My. Life.
I went from a total slug into having my own fitness page and turning into one of those people that gets excited talking about fitness!
You push hard, you learn how to eat and un-​eat the crap that made you fat. It’s not a military style boot camp, which let’s be honest I’d mouth off in and get kicked out but Ariane, despite her German roots, doesn’t scream (unless she knows you well enough and knows you know she’s joking), doesn’t embarrass but most of all doesn’t mother you.
The indoor classes– It’s 60 minutes of cardio (300 jumping jacks anyone?) and weight lifting (she doesn’t let you use 5 pound dumbbells after 2 weeks, it goes up). You get to work out with short and long bands and when you’re done you want to throw up or you feel amazing!
Outdoor classes– also 60 minutes, held either on the infamous Brooklyn Bridge or in Central Park– you run about 2 miles in total but stop for push ups, working out with bands and ugh the sprints. At the end of this class, again you want to throw up or you feel amazing!
Overall, push yourself. You’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish.

This is my third week doing the brooklyn bridge bootcamp and I am loving it. I wish I would have started when the weather was a little warmer but I just signed up for the indoor bootcamp for next weekend so the weather won’t stop me!
I’m not gonna lie, my first week was pretty terrible. I didn’t realize how out of shape I was until then. I was one of the last ones but I made it through and the next saturday I made myself go telling myself the whole time that nothing can be worse than last week. It ended up being awesome! I was no longer even close to last and it felt so good. I still have a long way to go but I know if I stick with it I will get there with Araines help! She is great! My bf has also commented on how he has noticed a difference only after 3 classes! Woo!

I have gone to the Brooklyn Bridge Bootcamp outdoor classes twice in the past few weeks. For someone that has been going to the gym you can say on and off for the past two years. you know sometimes you get in a rut and want to be lazy well this program in the just two times I have gone kicked my ass! I loved it though. The first time I went I was sore for a week! The second time I was sore for another week. I feel like taking these challenging classes will show me a change then the gym has been doing. Ariane is great, she kicks your ass and is sweet all at the same time =) Which is why I purchased a 5 classes package. Now that we are heading into fall season, nice weather is a great workout on the BK Bridge.
Can’t wait to see a change =)

This is my second week going into Ariane Hundt’s Brooklyn Bridge Indoor Bootcamp (Slim & Strong)…and my body still hurts… but in this case, thats a good thing.
I have been putting on the lbs (probably from Unilocaling restaurants and events! damn you Unilocal!) throughtout the last few months and I simply could not motivate myself to get in shape… until one day, I met up with my friend Jenny for lunch and she looked AMAZING. I asked Jenny what she has been doing and she linked me to Ariane’s class… I knew it would be the beginning of the new me… I had to go for it.
The night before class I was so nervous and couldn’t sleep… and I had to wake up at 5am to get to class on time… needless to say, I got my butt kicked… I started feeling sore right after class, that’s when you know you really worked it since you usually feel sore the day after an intense work out. I have since gotten a little better at keeping up and I definately feel stronger and healthier. Ariane is tough, but she is only trying to get you to the results you want… and she is always very nice before and after class to make up for kicking your butt. She is also very good about remembering everyone’s name, but she will not hold back on calling you out if you’re slowing down… I think she called my name about 10 times the first day…
A nutrition class is also a part of the work out so you learn about what you should be putting into your body to maximize the results. She also reviews your food diarys to give you pointers on what you are doing right/​wrong, which is really helpful.
So far, even though its tough waking up at 5am, I know this is something I will stick to (well, i did pay $ 350 for 4 weeks!) it also motivates me to get off my lazy butt and work out MORE, do more phsical activites, ride my bike, etc. its been awesome and I have a feeling I’ve found a new addiction… I signed up for 2 outdoor classes on the Brooklyn Bridge… can’t wait to try that out!
Words of advice:
— Eat a light breakfast so you don’t pass out, but not too much or you will throw up!
— Bring a big bottle of water
— Grab a small towel from the front desk, you will need it!
— Get there early to grab prime seating as the room gets packed around 6:20
Gold’s Gym provides lockers (so bring a lock), towels, and showers.

I’ve met and made friends with the Devil… and Ariane is her name…
Last Saturday was my first day of bootcamp — and honestly… it hurts to type this review — because you are using muscles in your arms to extend your fingers… and everything on me HURTS right now…
I am NOT FIT… I am NOT a runner… and I cannot do push ups…
So why in the hell did I purchase 5 of these classes… because like you… you’re probably in a rut… tired of going to the gym… have 5lbs you’ve been trying to lose for the past few months (or maybe 10…15.20lbs)…and you know that you need someone to KICK your ass back into action… Well Ariane is the woman for you… and kicking butt is what she does… Stretching…squats…jumping… resistance bands… push-​ups, running… are all forms of torture in my opinion… but hey… we signed up for it!
She is extremely motivating… supportive… and God damn’t! she remembers your NAME! (I wish she didn’t remember mines… lol)… She pushed me… because my fat ass cannot run to keep up with these people for the life of me… and she told me that I am not pushing myself to my limit… which I wasn’t… Even though I was sore as hell… I woke up the next day… and walked/​jogged 9miles…(something I would never do)… so she definitely gave me the kickstart that I needed…
I have 4 more classes to go… and although I’m dreading it… with every fiber in my body… I know I need to go… so if you’re considering this class — GO FOR IT…
Its worth every penny… for her encouragement… advice. and a killer workout… with a gorgeous view… I will never look at the Brooklyn Bridge the same way… EVER again…

This is a great workout! I’ve been to the Brooklyn Bridge Boot Camp twice and came out hurting (in the good way) each time. The view is beautiful and you use muscles you didn’t know existed. I definitely recommend going to a class with Ariane for the best workout — she’s more intense than the other instructor (though it’s harder to get into her classes since she’s so popular)! And bring water.
The only thing I find annoying is that there’s nowhere to put your stuff (keys, cell phone, wallet, etc.).

I have been to 1 class so far, and I’ve got 9 more to go! :) I consider myself generally fit, but I only run, so I was looking to strengthen my core and agility through this type of boot camp.
Not knowing what to expect, I started looking out for someone who could look like a boot camp instructor and other women/​men who were in athletic clothing near the foot of the bridge. It was a great Thursday evening class around 6:30pm. Ariane was really nice and motivated us to work hard. Lots of sprinting drills, lunges, squats, planks, push-​ups = all things that I could not will myself to do. We end up doing fartlek running — sprinting, stopping to do push-​ups, more sprinting, etc from the foot of the bridge to the other end. Then we did some drills up and down the stairs at the Brooklyn side of the bridge and did it all over again on the way back to City Hall park.
I was definitely sore for the next few days, and while it hurt my abs to even laugh, it hurt so good! The only odd thing about the experience is the TOURISTS who take pics of us working out. Like, really?! Creepos!
Anyway, I’m looking forward to getting my butt kicked again!!! Don’t forget to bring water; it’s a bit unwieldy to run with the bottle during sprints, but you’re working hard — you don’t want to be thirsty!

This is a great workout if you need to be pushed to your limits. Like Katherine, I generally opt for the elliptical machines. Ariane and her crew make you discover muscles you’ve never used before. You are sore for days to come, but in the man-​I-​really-​worked-​out sore. Whether you’re a beginner or super fit, the instructors adjust the classes according to your fitness level. I would definitely recommend if you need a kick in the butt or you’re extremely unmotivated when you go to the gym.
My only real complaint is that I can’t make any of the classes. Due to work constraints, I can’t get down to the Brooklyn Bridge by 6:30PM. And, I don’t have to be at work until 10AM, so there’s no way my lazy butt is getting out of bed for the 6:30AM classes. Would be nice if they added more night classes to the schedule that had a 7PM or 7:30PM start time.