Those looking to get those bodies ready for summer can do so at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halstedand get it done pretty cheaply. For only five dollars a session each Friday at 6 p.m., Dave Hochbaum and a rotating stable of other trainers will put people through your paces.
By the way, people should not worry about the phrase "boot camp"it's more about the intensity of the coursewhich can varythan the intensity of the instructor. ( In other words, Hochbaum won't yell at participants. ) "Depending on the reaction of the participants, I'll keep it to a 60-minute class but usually I'll go at 45 minutes; in the beginning, it's a slow build-up to an intense [ exercise ] ." A typical class here involves weight-training and Pilates, he added. However, it's not just about exercise: Hochbaum said that he stresses to people that "80 percent of fitness is diet."
Jason Hammers, one of the rotating line-up of trainers, said, "People like to experience pain together. It makes things easierand people also tend to push themselves further. You do get more out of it."
Hochbaum said that he wants to limit classes to 20 people.
Other classes and activities on Friday afternoon/evening include YOUR ( Youth Open Ultimate Recreation ) Gym ( at 4-5:30 p.m. ) and women's open-gym volleyball ( at 7-9 p.m. ) . The center also continuing the weekend fitness regime with a new program starting April 16 called "Run Proud"a 5K training program for women that meets on Saturday mornings and culminates with running the Pride 5K Saturday, June 25 ( the "Proud to Run" 5K ) .
Email LNemani@centeronhalsted.org or SSumadi@centeronhalsted.org for more information.