Healthy Hoboken: Boardwalk Bootcamp

Although I didn't make it down the shore this weekend, I still got to work out on a boardwalk: The Hudson River Walkway, which connects Jersey City and Hoboken.

I wish it had actually been along the beach, because I would've loved to run into the water after my workout on Saturday.

Bracing the heat and humidity this weekend, I headed to Jersey City for a bootcamp that promised to bring me back to Hoboken, working out along the water. Turns out the class starts and ends in Jersey City. You run to Hoboken, but, of course, have to run back. Either way, it was a quick PATH ride, and I even walked home to stretch out the muscles that were throbbing after an hour of Boardwalk Bootcamp.

Malenna Saunders, of Phoenyx Fitness, promised a workout that would work strength, cardio and agility. And she sure delivered. For a little less than an hour, we ran, jumped, squatted and chatted our way though a calorie-busting series. Saunders has been training athletes, brides and regular gym-goers for more than a decade, so she knew just which spots to hit to give us the full body workout without overdoing any muscle groups.

We started at the corner near the lighthouse, right outside of the Pavonia/Newport PATH station. In the small group, there was no lack of personal attention. Saunders kept us in line right from the start.

We paced ourselves on the slowest member, a girl who admitted to not being a runner but managed to keep a steady jogging pace going throughout the course. The class was set up as a run interrupted by strength training sessions. After jogging for about two minutes, we stopped for our first set 30 seconds of jumping jacks. Seemed easy enough.

A minute or two later, we stopped for 30 more seconds of jumping jacks followed by half a minute of squat jumps. More running, more jacks and more jumps. High knees were added in the third set. Are you catching on to the pattern?

Each set added to the last, until we were up to six or seven exercises including side-to-side jumps and lunges. We continued to run between every set, though I think the pace slowed considerably as we went along. Saunders kept the mood light, while offering training tips and reminding everyone to smile. She has tons of energy, the kind of trainer you end up becoming friends with along the way.

It all culminated with an upper-body workout as we reached the Hoboken border. We did inclined push-ups and dips, twists holding a six-pound medicine ball, planks and more. It was incredibly hot, considering it was noon as we were finishing, so she let us take a couple of short rests, no longer than 30 seconds, but long enough to catch our breath and grab some water. We finished by running back to the starting point.

As with any workout class, you will only get what you put into bootcamp. Saunders will keep you in line with simple, effective reminders: "It's summer. If you want to look good on the beach, you have to put in the work here!" And she is absolutely right. If you stick to a regular plan, such as walking or jogging three days a week, and doing one other strength day or a yoga or Pilates class, as well as a regular Saturday bootcamp, you'll be ready to strut your stuff on the real boardwalk in no time. 

Check out the Phoenyx Fitness blog for future bootcamp dates. The current schedule is Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 a.m. and Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. While Saturday was free, regular sessions are $100/month ($125 for all access), and $175 for a 12-week challenge.