Boot camp without the bark

Boot camps -- group exercise classes modeled after early morning, military drills -- have remained popular enough that it's safe to say they no longer are a trend but part of the American fitness landscape.

Harriott Parker, co-owner of The Turning Leaf in West Ashley, liked the boot camp concept, but took out the barking Marines, calisthenics and quasi-torture.

"My philosophy behind all types of exercise is to keep people motivated by switching up activities, not doing the same routine like running on a treadmill every day," says Parker. "Boot camps are popular because they do this, but I wanted to incorporate all the fun, outdoor activities that are available to us right here in Charleston."

Her 10-week Outdoor Adventure boot camps, which she's organized for a couple of years, serve as a sampler platter of fitness-oriented activities that people can choose to come back to on their own in the future.

Among the activities are taking on the climbing wall at James Island County Park, yoga on the beach, using stepper bicycles from Carolina Stepper to "ride" around Hampton Park, open-water swimming, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.

While the boot camps are open to all, she has found that they particularly draw women.

Among the most vociferous on a recent paddleboarding trip on Shem Creek were the self-described "grannies of the group," friends Fran Gunter, 60, and Beverly Gumb, 59, whose fitness activities typically involved walking and gardening.

After Gumb got an e-mail from Parker about the boot camp, she e-mailed Gunter, who took little persuading to join Gumb in participating. Both enjoyed kayaking, the stepper bike and beach yoga and will consider doing it again.

At the stand-up paddleboarding session in April, 31-year-old West Ashley resident Elizabeth Brown says she loved the boot camp and expects to do the wall climb and paddleboarding again.

"I need motivation to participate and this is motivating, and pleasant," says Brown.

Another benefit of it is businesses, with similar interests, working together to encourage people to access the Lowcountry's vast array of activities.

For example, Parker enlisted the help of Dave Clifford, owner of Charleston Watersport Outfitters, in supplying kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.

Clifford says that the class helps to encourage people, who may not get on the water in a kayak or paddleboard, not only to get exercise but to experience the outdoors and possibly develop a care for it.

He's also working with the Mount Pleasant Recreation Department on similar fitness-focused, outdoor activities.

"The courses are for anyone who is looking to get on the water to get more physically fit. The nature aspect is just an added benefit," says Clifford.

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