FitBoot

Fitboot has helped me take charge of my life. I’ve been part of the squad for a year.
Charla does not accept the weakness or excuses that I’ve (traditionally) accepted for myself.
This goes for everyone who shows up in the morning. It is hard work, and It can be frustrating but it is making me stronger. I’ve done things that I had convinced myself I wouldn’t be able to do.
The nutrition information is great. As I get older, I’m more aware of how food affects my health and performance.
Every morning is a challenge, and it helps prime me for a strong day at home and work.
Fitboot may not be for everyone, but if you are looking for a supportive environment and a trainer that WILL NOT accept anything less that 100% effort, it will change your life.

I have to say that I’m disappointed in myself for falling for these positive reviews on FitBoot. This is probably the worst training experience I’ve ever experienced compared to the two other physical training programs I’ve experienced in my past. Now that I’ve experienced FitBoot first hand, I regret ever contacting her and her website is entirely misleading. Would I recommend this to someone who is looking to lose weight, become fit, and looking for a dedicated and professional training instructor? No.
I pretty much wasted $ 395.00 that I paid up front to this place for 6 weeks of training. From the get go, I came to this place for help, for motivation, for guidance, and for a change. What did my $ 395.00 get me? 4 days of 45 minute training, an instructor who put me in a class with advanced physically fit people despite me telling her I wanted a different class (which by the way is still advertised on her website, only if you inquire she’ll tell you it’s discontinued and tell you you’ll be FINE in her regular class with super fit people and to go ahead and sign up online and fork over $ 395.00 of your hard earned money), utter humiliation every morning by constantly being her target to pick on because you can’t keep up with everyone else, and no one-​on-​one counseling. I emailed her expressing my concerns with my physical limitations and not being able to keep up with the everyone else, and the response I get? That it’s harder for the faster runners to slow down for the slow runner (me). Aside from all that, you’ll get to work out in a public park rolling around in goose poop in the grass all morning, and if you’re overweight like me, you’ll get to be the instructor’s target every morning. Now, I have to note that the experience is not the same for everyone, and most can certainly disagree with me. But this review is on MY experience here.
So even though I couldn’t keep up with everyone, I didn’t stop, and I got back up and kept going, but did that stop her from picking me out? No. In the entire week, was I the only person asked to tell everyone my prior days meals? Yes. Was I the fattest and most out of shape person in the class? Yes. But I still did my runs, my pushups, my situps, my exercises, even though I struggled keeping up. Did I ever get pulled aside to talk about my performance, my physical abilities/​limitations, how to properly avoid muscle pains? No. Never had a physical assessment done before I started to make sure I’d do fine with her fit athletes, just forked out the money paid to her paypal account, and then a piece of paper handed to me on the fourth day to tell me I’m fat, I performed poorly, and 5 – 9 months in her program to improve.
Even after I addressed these issues with her, all she told me was I didn’t «try» and that it’s harder FOR THE FASTER RUNNERS to run my pace and encourage me, the slow runner. When I asked for a prorated refund because I wanted her alternative class and she told me I’d be ‘fine’ in her regular class, and I signed up for that class on HER advisement and assurance, she said no per the terms of her contract, and didn’t even offer a modified fitness program for my level, no one on one counseling, but that she’ll put my membership on hold until I’m ready to actually TRY. I think sweating my ass off, pushing myself as hard as I could, getting back up when I fell, with a weeks worth of ultimate body pain, was considered trying, but maybe if I would’ve passed out, to her, that would’ve been considered trying.
And if you’re wondering if I am some soft guinea pig who can’t handle someone yelling at me, then you’re wrong. I did 10 weeks of basic combat training in the army with 3 drill sergeants down my throat daily, that also counseled you if you were performing under standard, motivated you during exercises, taught you the ins and outs of proper physical training, and punished the entire platoon if you did something wrong, because collectively you were a team. It’s important to note that Fitboot is STILL a place of business, not a military organization and she’s not a drill sergeant, and by standards, she’s a certified physical trainer held to an entire different code of ethics compared to a military drill sergeant who’s only duty is to train their soldiers how to kill and defend in battle.
And her website advertises that you do 6 weeks of recruit training to advance to the next course. There is no NEXT course, EVERYONE (out of shape recruits, in shape recruits, and advanced recruits) all workout in the same class every morning doing all the same exercises.
On my recommendation Unilocalers, AVOID this place and save your $ 395.00. The money’s not worth it. And I bet she’s happy she made a quick $ 395 off me too. Don’t get jippped on hundreds of dollars like I did. There is no customer relationship management in this business.

Charla will change your life. I have been coming for a year and a half, and it’s the single best thing I have done for myself in ten years. You will learn you have athletic abilities, and yes, you’ll lose weight and feel better too. (And the price is amazingly reasonable — where else can you get 5 days of personal training and meal coaching for a few dollars a day?) But most importantly, there is something about getting outside and pushing yourself to the limit in a beautiful setting that’s transformational. I am on a high all day when I start it with morning boot camp. We’re a fun, motivated and positive group, with a wide-​range of ability that supports and pushes one another to be our best. Come join us!

If you are serious about getting fit, look no further than FitBoot. Charla is a highly competent and knowledgeable trainer that has been doing this for many years. You will be inspired by her own level of fitness and seriousness for every workout. FitBoot is not for the lighthearted, but if you are serious, it should be at the top of your shortlist.
I’m 4 weeks into the new recruit program and look forward to staying on well past 6 weeks. The group is as dedicated as she is which makes it easier (not easy) getting up so early day after day.

I wake up early and i say
– I wake up early and i say
«How’s Charla gonna kick my ass today?»
– «How’s Charla gonna kick my ass today?»
Push ups Squad Thrusts Pull ups too
– Push ups Squad Thrusts Pull ups too
110% is all you gotta do
– 110% is all you gotta do
Run 3 miles then play ball
– Run 3 miles then play ball
Turn around and do it some more
– turn around and do it some more
Feel good
– Feel good
Look good
– Look good
MMmm good
– MMmm good
etc.

I joined FitBoot several years ago because I literally burst out of my pants one day in the office. It’s the only training program that I’ve stuck to for more than a few months because of three things:
1. It’s AUTHENTIC military-​styled training, so it’s hard but not impossible.
2. The instructor, Charla McMillian, is a former Marine and seriously knows her stuff about all things fitness and nutrition. No lame-​arsed aerobics instructors here.
3. The class motivation is incredible. It keeps you going, even when you think you have nothing left.
I lost weight, got stronger and can now do physical things that were once out of my reach. If you’re looking for a kind, cuddly, chatty kind of class, this isn’t for you. But if you’re prepared to work hard, want results and understand that you’re probably going to get yelled at if you start screwing off, FitBoot is for you.
A note: FitBoot is actually in Alameda, not Oakland. I think Oakland is simply the mailing address.

My first reaction to FitBoot was «ARE YOU F’ING KIDDING ME WITH THIS SH*T?» I was thinking there was NOOO way, with as out of shape as I am, that I was going to be able to withstand this hardcore training program. And honestly, every morning when my alarm goes off, I am pissed off that I’m awake that early, and I wonder if my sore muscles will carry me through another day. But, Charla McMcillian is as good as it gets. She pushes you as far as you can go, much further than you actually think you can go. Charla also gives nutrition tips at the end of every class. So… it is really a fully inclusive program. In 45 – 60 minutes, five days a week, you will literally change your outlook on your body and the way you want to eat.
It doesn’t matter if you are in awesome shape or if you are a couch potato, Charla will make the program work for you. The squad is small enough that no one gets lost in the crowd. You can’t hide in the back of the class, and you can NOT fake your way through a day.
It’s a no-​nonsense program, and if you are expecting to be pampered, this isn’t the program for you. But, if you are serious about changing your body and your nutrition, this IS the program for you. You will never sign up for any other training (gyms, personal trainers, etc.), they are nothing compared to what you get at FitBoot.