It’s like recess — but without the playground monitor’s shrill whistle and the 15-minute limit on controlled fun. She calls it “boot camp,” but a greater misnomer there’s never been — 90 minutes with personal trainer Stacy Ricciardi is a
It’s like recess — but without the playground monitor’s shrill whistle and the 15-minute limit on controlled fun.
She calls it “boot camp,” but a greater misnomer there’s never been — 90 minutes with personal trainer Stacy Ricciardi is a muscle-strengthening cardiovascular workout fueled by laughter.
Boot camp begins with a pop music-motivated calisthenics warm-up, then a race from Lydgate pavilion to Kamalani playground, a rubber band upper-body workout and some relays on the lawn — the only muscle more sore then your abs and thighs might be your smile muscles, by the third or fourth week anyway. Expect to be tender in some mysterious regions that first week.
Ricciardi started boot camp last year with just a handful of family and friends.
“Once my daughter turned 3, I started considering a new career,” said this hard body brunette who claims to have not been into working out until her decision to get licensed as a personal trainer.
“I did a six month program through the American Council of Exercise,” she said.
While still in training she wanted to share exercise strategies with friends.
“I asked myself, ‘What do me and my women friends like to do?’”
What she realized was their motivation was a sense of play.
“I just made it all up by using the entire park as a circuit,” said Ricciardi. “When we’re young we move our bodies all the time through play — boot camp brings that back.”
The workout begins with high energy output — think yoga on steroids to a Motown soundtrack. On the grass just 100 yards from the main pavilion you’ll see a dozen or more people — mostly women — doing push ups, jumping jacks and sit-ups on the lawn.
Ricciardi makes sure the body is cooking before she passes out rubber bands for the triceps, biceps and shoulder burners.
“I’m frequently asked what’s the best form of exercise,” she said. “I tell people, ‘The best form of exercise is something you will do consistently, will want to do rain or shine — whether it’s paddling, tennis or golf.’”
Westside physical therapistDan Schaal, of O‘hana Sports Medicine in ‘Ele‘ele, encourages his clients to find a form of exercise they can do regularly.
“The only thing proven to work is exercise that has a social aspect and is routine.”
Ricciardi’s boot camp fulfills these two requirements.
More than exercise though, the atmosphere at Lydgate Beach Park at 8:30 in the morning Monday, Wednesday and Friday is one of connecting and collaboration. In fact, 19 of Ricciardi’s attendees are competing in a triathlon next month.
“Six of us did it last year,” she said.
This year that number more then quadrupled to include four “cheerleaders” who will be on the sidelines for support.
“For most of us this is a first triathlon,” said this high-energy mother of two.
Lanikai triathlon on O‘ahu is a race comprised of a 500-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike ride and a 5-kilometer run.
Ricciardi said she couldn’t be prouder of her students.
“You don’t have to be a serious athlete — participating successfully means no injuries.”
The group added Saturdays to their work out regimen nine weeks ago when they committed to the triathlon. On Saturdays they swim, bike and run at Lydgate Beach Park.
“What better place to swim,” she said gesturing to the sea behind her. “And the county has done such a great job of creating a safe place to exercise.”
There is a hush to the morning until the arrival of boot campers.
“It’s just us and the chickens,” said Ricciardi, adding, “I knew I was on to something when people kept showing up.”
The social aspect of boot camp rings loud and clear to any bystander. You may wonder how a gaggle of women can hold a conversation while pumping out sets of 12 push ups? Well, the elixir is called laughter. Clearly the air at Lydgate is laced with something akin to laughing gas — or could it be that when you spend 90 minutes with Ricciardi three times a week you get in good enough shape that you can actually talk and exercise.
Many of the participants are mothers, as evidenced by the occasional tiny bicyclist accompanying a runner to Kamalani.
“I didn’t work out when I was pregnant,” said Ricciardi. “After baby it’s really hard to get going again — it can get really lonely.”
There won’t be anything you don’t recognize in regards to Ricciardi’s format.
“This is functional fitness,” she said. “It’s agility movements that are all natural — basic calisthenics.”
The intermittent playground games add an element of competition too.
“The games bring out a naturally competitive and playful side in people” she said.
“I’ve never felt good in a gym setting,” said Ricciardi. “One of the best things about exercising outdoors is that there are no mirrors.”
The social setting at the park helps everyone relax. There are the tradewinds rustling the pines and birds chirping overhead. Aside from the warm up when there’s music, the scene is one imbued by sounds of the natural world.
“We live in the most beautiful setting,” she said with a shrug. “Why be indoors?”
• Pam Woolway, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681, ext. 257 or pwoolway@kauaipubco.com
