Emma Brophy discovers there really is no gain without a bit of pain

Picture the scene – it’s a wet and wild Saturday morning, my body already aching from the excess of Friday night and I realise that today’s the day that one of my colleagues ‘volunteered’ (I’d say more railroaded!) me into trying out the latest boot camp in Chiswick.

Run by Bodylogic's Paul Lovelace and Sam Stone who work out of West 4 Health & Fitness, the ‘army style boot camps' are held on Saturdays at 10.15 and begin with a run from the Sutton Road North gym to the playing fields at Chiswick House Grounds.

This particular Saturday there were only three of us foolish enough to brave the elements whilst being put through a gruelling exercise programme. However, as with most things I dread, it wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I thought. The gentle run to Chiswick House proved a good warm up so by time we arrived at the playing fields (adjacent to the A4 carpark) I was all set to go.

Or so I thought. It was here that the army style regime began with fast series of lunges, crunches and push ups followed by circuits, a lot of ‘fast feet’ and, what Paul wittily called, games which involved us chasing each other around the field pretending to be Hares and Hounds!

Mercifully the rain had kept most of the parks normal visitors at home so expect for a few dog walkers we managed to get through the session relatively unnoticed. That said, I have to admit that I never imagined rolling around in Chiswick House mud with three incredibly fit men would be a) so painful b) so good for toning muscles and c) so much fun.

Paul certainly put us through our paces but did so with humour and necessary encouragement at all times. Although I returned to the gym wet, covered in mud and aching in newly discovered muscles, the overriding feeling of achievement and well being was worth it. I would consider myself to be quite fit but this boot camp showed me how much more I was capable of and is an experience I shall certainly be repeating only next time hopefully with less mud!

The boot camps are open to members and non members of the gym and cost £7. Call Paul on 07989 599 153 or email bodylogicpersonaltraining@hotmail.co.uk

Emma Brophy

July 13, 2007