Austin Adventure Boot Camp

I did a boot camp through a different group a few months ago and got a great work out. I decided to try one again through a different group to get a different feel and to see what else was out there and saw this camp through living social and got so excited. Bought the deal before the holidays. January 1^st I signed up for my camp starting on the 30^th. Well maybe not on the 30^th I have no idea. Went on the site a week later and the start date was gone. I thought maybe they take off the date when the class fills. So I emailed Stephanie the owner to try and figure it out since I already gave them my living social code to get their money… no response. Called… voicemail full… emailed again… no response. Til this day never heard from anyone. So I wouldn’t recommend this camp to my worst enemy! Horrible customer service and I heard from a friend in another class that she just finished that the trainer was horrible, and non enthusiastic. Whatever you do, sign up for Synergy Boot camp. I also failed to mentioned I got a strange group email on the 8^th of january that said something about not having a trainer that day because of illness, but would see us the day after. What? Just weird.

This is a great way to jump-​start a fitness program. They offer several options in terms of locations and times around the city, and the classes are small enough for you to get personal attention. The classes are a great mix of cardio, circuit training, and traditional moves such as squats, lunges, and pushups.
I went into my first session fresh off of a serious knee injury, and my coach was very accommodating, and made sure to include great modifications that would prevent injury but still gave me a workout!
This program is 4 days a week for 4 weeks, with a free 5^th class a week offered on Saturdays. It is not for the faint of heart, expect to wear yourself out each day, and I recommend bringing a powerade zero to each class to stay hydrated (better electrolyte replenishment than just water) so you don’t overcompensate afterwards and get sick. (or so i’ve heard. I didn’t get sick or anything. especially not twice. never. i’m speaking for a friend who hypothetically this may or may not have happened to.)
Bottom line: if you’re sick of not seeing results and are willing to put in the time and the effort to make it through the tough workouts every morning, then you will see a big difference, and will become a bootcamp addict like I have.
Full disclosure: I have given 4 stars instead of 5 because during my first session, there were some issues with a coach not showing up for a few days, but after calling the company and speaking to their customer service person, the issue was rectified and I went on to purchase and complete a flawless second full bootcamp program with a different coach.
Highly recommend this company.

today was my 2^nd time to find no coach when i arrived at austin adventure boot camp. tried to phone and they dont take messages. tried to email and it rejected my email. either they have gone out of business or they are leaders in NEW MILLENNIUM ARROGANCE! i give them a zero.

MY AUSTIN ADVENTURE BOOTCAMP REVIEW:
I meant to write this a couple months ago… but here it is…
I can not say enough amazing things about AABC. I went for 6 months and it changed my life. I lost weight that I never thought would come off and I got to learn so much about myself and what I am capable of. The incredible trainers, (Stephanie, Lauren and Caroline) were always there to motivate, teach and inspire. They all have such great and positive personalities and they truly cared about my progress.
The friends and the camaraderie that I found there was also so important to my fitness journey too. I always felt encouraged by the strong group of women there and I loved that we all gave each other advice and helped keep each other on track and accountable. It was also so motivating to watch those around you transform before your eyes. WOW!
The gift that this boot camp has given me is priceless. I now have a launching pad for a life of fitness that I have never had before. I am amazed at my progress and how I have been able to maintain my results and continue to achieve further fitness goals on my own. I do hope to go back soon because I did not realize how much I would miss it.
I would recommend this program to anyone. It is such a challenging and wonderful experience. And you will see results!
A++++!!
–liz B.

Austin Adventure Boot Camp rocks! I am currently attending my fourth month of camp and cannot imagine my life before it. I feel like an entirely different person. When I signed up in January I did not even own a pair of sneakers and I was practically immobile. Now, I am running, jumping, and lunging with the best of them! I have lost over 25 pounds, have shaved over 30 inches from my body, and have improved my one mile run time by over four minutes. Almost every day someone will stop me to tell me how great I look and sometimes I cannot believe how much I have accomplished so quickly with this program. It really, really works.
I have been attending the 5:30 AM Southwest boot camp and owe so much of my success to my trainer, Stephanie McDonald. She is incredibly positive and supportive and has taken a genuine interest in each and every one of her campers. Stephanie provides us not only with an intense and ever changing challenging workout every morning but she also gives nutrition tools to maximize our efforts. Every single one of her campers who shows up and puts in the work walks away from her camp with very real and very visible results. It has been so much fun to watch the campers morph into sleeker more athletic ladies over the course each month long session.
This camp is worth every single cent and minute you invest into it and the rewards are endless.

I am the kind of person that is better motivated to work out with others and when I have a commitment to attend. Joining a gym doesn’t do it for me — they don’t check on my attendance — Austin Adventure does, but in a good way. They know that getting in shape takes a commitment to workout regularly so that is one of the things they do.
I have attended several boot camp sessions and a couple of different locations. I have done the SW evening CO-​ED boot camp after work and the NW boot camp at 8 AM. (If one were really close to my house, I might go to the 5:30 AM, but it is nice they have a few alternatives around town for those who of us can’t make it that early.)
I have experienced several coaches and all were very good but Tess, the current morning coach at the NW location, is just wonderful. She has a great attitude, she gets you motivated, she always has a challenging workout for us and she really wants to see everyone be successful, improve, and love to exercise as much as she does. Sure, most of the moves aren’t new or ‘cutting edge’ for someone who exercised before, but I wouldn’t do them if I were on my own.
Tess puts a workout together in a way that makes it interesting, fun and always a bit different. Plus, it is outside! Typically a park or a school — I like that aspect as much as anything else. I may be sweating up a storm, but it seems so much better to be outside than inside an air-​conditioned gym.
There is definitely running/​jogging involved, or walking — if that’s where you are at when you start. Sometimes it’s a short lap to loosen up, sometimes it’s a mile, sometimes it is a sprint to keep up the cardio aspect of the workout. It’s not bad and I am not much of a runner, but if this is a ‘make-​or-​break’ sort of thing — now you know.
All the instructors have been good at helping students modify exercises to prevent injury or aggravating an existing problem (like my bad wrists). They don’t make you do anything you really shouldn’t do but they try to think of a way for you to do something so you can get the same or similar benefits as the others. (i.e. if you can’t run — walk, if you can’t jump — do low-​impact versions, bad wrists — use your weights to help with push-​ups, etc.)
This is definitely a program for just about all levels. You aren’t competing against anyone and we all want everyone to be successful. It is nice to have that kind of support. Even if you start the program on your own you just might end up with a few great workout buddies…
All and all I think it is a great program. It is nice that they have lots of locations around Austin. They also give you a chance to try a camp for free one day and see what you think. (Don’t be concerned if you can’t keep up — each 4-​week session starts a little more gradually so if you go mid-​session it might be a little harder for you.)
Try it out!

I completed the NW bootcamp last week and I’m glad I went. I really needed to get off the couch and moving. The class showed me some interesting workouts, but it wasn’t anything cutting edge if you’ve ever worked out before. I think you should somewhat like running/​jogging to join this bootcamp or you may feel a bit miserable.
I thought it was kind of strange that Julie said on the day of fitness stations that this day wasn’t as boring as the other days. I mean she’s the coach and if it’s boring can’t she make it not so boring the other days too?
So, I guess if you have some extra dough (heh on your belly and in your bank account) I guess you should go. It was fun, but I’m certain my productivity at work decreased from being SO sleepy from waking up at the buttcrack of dawn to be on time to the 530 AM class.

I just finished my second week of boot camp at the central location with trainer April Rojas. The camp is awesome, tons of cardio, and more strength training than I’ve ever done. The first week, I was so sore I couldn’t hold up my own blow dryer, but the second week was lots better. I’ve already «re-​enlisted» for another month and plan to keep it up. From 5:30 to 6:30, there is never a moment where you aren’t moving. Even if you are waiting for others to complete a run, you are doing crunches or squats or lunges. Boot Camp rocks!

I just started Austin Adventure Boot Camp on 5÷13÷08 at the Northwest location. Trainer Julie Littlefield is great. The camp is great, it is all women which makes me feel more comfortable. You can go at your own pace and there women from all different fitness levels there. I would recommend this to anyone. This being called a «Boot Camp» may give you the wrong idea of the camp. The trainers don’t yell at you or anything, they do more encouraging, so it is really up you how hard you work out. Im not a morning person at all but I do feel more energized after each camp day and I really like having my works outs done with first thing in the morning. I started this camp alone (a friend was supposed to start me but didnt) I felt very comfortable going alone and I am very glad I did it.

all in all it was just ok
–Julie, the coach, was great — nice, friendly, motivating, but not too perky which is great at 5:30 AM
–working out with a group was nice — kept me going.
–only lost an inch from waist, and less than half a pound though — that was disappointing AND my knees still hurt.
— could have paid for 4 months at a gym for the cost of a 4 week session
–would I do it again… maybe

Next week is my last week in this boot camp, and I’ll come back to adjust my rating depending on inches/​pounds lost. I already feel a little firmer, I think… I also have had the worst shin splints of my life for a week. And spent the first week barely able to walk, with Epsom salt baths and Alleve becoming my new best friends.
I opted for the evening boot camp as a 5:30am boot camp is just crazy talk. You can torture me, but you’re not going to torture me before the freakin’ sun comes up! (Although I hear it’s 3x more beneficial to work out in the morning… Sigh.)
Boot camp at $ 199 for 4x a week for three weeks – while still pricey – actually seemed like a more economical way to get a kick in the butt to get back in shape, after I’d found out my gym’s personal trainers cost $ 60 an hour and I’d researched a ton of other options.
Stephanie, the trainer who founded the camp and leads the SW class, isn’t nearly intimidating as I was afraid. She just tells you what to do, but, she doesn’t actually do anything with you, which might help motivate even more. Also, we’ve had a sub for half of the class, and I’ve found him more helpful/​approachable.
It’s a great, grueling mix of all sorts of cardio and weight/​strengthening exercises and games. My main complaint is on the Web site it states you don’t have to be a runner and can start by walking, but within the second week, she had us doing «Indian Runs,» and the expectation was to keep up with the pack and run an 8-​minute mile. Yeah, that ain’t going to happen if you’ve never really run in your life and are just starting. Hence the shin splints. And it seems that the majority of the toning is targeted to shoulder (with some legs and arms).
*UPDATE 11/​16/​07*
Last night was the final night of bootcamp. Somehow after busting my ass for three weeks, I GAINED 1.5 lbs according to the final test! I assume it’s muscle and it happened to another girl, too, but still I was hoping for at least part of the 10lb. weight loss as promoted. One of the guys lost 7lbs., I heard. As far as the good news, I lost a total of four inches, but gained two in other areas! I guess that’s muscle, too… I can’t decide if I’m totally all about the boot camp yet – I was hoping for a little more out of it…

** Updated 4÷4÷08: Going into my fourth week @ NW location. This camp was really lacking in cardio workouts compared to the past two I ‘ve finished. Hate to say it, but kinda boring. Guess I will have to find another way to combat the PEAR!
I just finished my second NW bootcamp! Wonderful program. I lost 10 lbs. in 6 weeks and dropped a full pant size. I have definition in my arms & legs. My overall strength has really increased.
Calling all my pear peeps! If you need a kick in the ass to get moving, slim down the pear so we can wear cute jeans too… this is a great program. The price is pretty good for the workout you get.

I’m currently only in my second week of the Southwest Austin boot camp. I love it so far. I complain about it to everyone I know — not the program itself but the audacity of the thought that I would actually get up at 5:00 AM three times a week to go to an outdoor park to work out. It seems a little silly, especially during the worst season of weather in Texas in the last year.
However, so far I’m really enjoying the program itself. Our workouts are varied and perfectly suited to various levels of fitness. Our trainer Stephanie isn’t nearly as drill-​sergeant as I expected her to be. In fact, she just motivates us and tells us what to do. There is no in-​your-​face-​yelling or anything like that.
If you feel like you need to get your butt in shape, and you’ve got some extra cash, try it out. I’m by no means a morning person but I actually look forward to my 5:30 — 6:30 AM workouts on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. They have evening classes as well as various locations and co-​ed classes.
I encourage you to enlist!