2020 is here. If looking and feeling good for the New Year is a priority, but it’s not clear how to make that happen, group fitness training may be the solution. For those who have never walked into a gym, or it’s been a long time since fitness fit into their schedule, Nocatee and the surrounding area has a new choice.
Burn Boot Camp opened Dec. 29 at Nocatee Town Center, 150 Pine Lake Dr., Unit B. Franchise Partner Jessica Melquist stopped working in 2017 to care for the couple’s four children. At that time she said, “If I ever do anything again, I will do something to impact others — and this fits that.”
Owning a gym was not on Melquist's radar. She hardly knew how to read a nutrition label and gained 50 to 70 pounds with each pregnancy. The broad demographic, and seeing mothers and daughters work out together, made the Burn Boot Camp she attended stand out from other gyms. To date, she’s down 69 pounds. When they moved to Ponte Vedra Beach, she wanted her new community to have the same opportunity.
Burn Boot Camp knocks out some of the most common reasons people never join a gym — accessibility, accountability and support.
There is a 14-day free trial to find out if the gym fits schedules and lifestyle. Studies show it takes 21 to 66 days to establish a habit, but a two-week commitment is a start. Try to find a companion who will also commit to the 14 days so that there is greater accountability. Keep in mind that the gym is focused on women, and still has time slots for co-ed workouts.
“It’s a safe place,” Melquist said. “Maybe you haven’t worked out in 20 years or maybe you have had an injury — you can start here.”
Instead of classes, Burn calls each 45-minute workout a “camp.” All of the day’s camps are the same workout, so if early morning doesn’t work, hit an afternoon camp to get the same workout. Each day of the week, the unique workout has a different focus like upper body strength, core conditioning or speed and agility. To keep members engaged, daily workout routines vary from week to week.
There are five ladies-only camps Monday through Friday at 5:30, 6:30, 8:30 and 9:30 a.m., and 4:30 p.m. Weekday co-ed camps are offered at 4:45 a.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, there are three co-ed camps at 8, 9 and 10 a.m.
For students age 5 to 12, there is a Kidz Camp on weekdays at 3:15 and 3:45 p.m. Kidz Camp is a 30-minute after school camp that is a combination of speed and agility training, obstacle courses, nutrition tips and more. The goal is to be fun and help build the foundation for healthy and strong kids.
Child care can be another barrier to working out. Childwatch is complimentary during all but the three earliest weekday camps to parents and guardians with children age 8 weeks to age 12.
Not only will fellow members encourage and support fitness goals, the gym’s “focus meeting” system consists of unlimited one-on-one sessions with a head trainer. Whether it’s advice regarding nutrition, performance, lifestyle or weight loss, trainers are equipped to help members reach goals.
Each camp includes a warmup, workout and finisher. Trainers demonstrate each motion with a modification down for those just starting out or who have injuries, and a modification up for those looking for a more robust workout.
“We meet you where you are; wherever that is,” Melquist said.
For more information or to request a 14-day free trial, call (904) 671-9050. For scheduled camp times, visit bit.ly/pvburnbootcamp .
