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I used to think I was in fairly good shape. That was before yesterday, when I tried out a session of Norwalk Adventure Boot Camp for Women, led by Certified Personal Fitness Trainer extraordinaire Laura Boniello-Krout. Under the mid-morning sun in Cranbury Park, Laura led me and about ten other ladies in one of the more rigorous workouts I've had in years. I shouldn't have been surprised: Pushing people past their limits in a positive way is what Laura is known for, and it's what she does best.
"She's amazing," says Norwalk resident Dana Stumpf, who's been attending Laura's boot camps religiously for two years, even in the cold weather. (Laura insists that at least part of every class be spent outdoors, no matter what the temperature.) "Since I've been doing this, I've had more endurance, more energy. I've lost probably about 20 pounds, but more than that, the whole shape of my body has changed. I can put on a pair of tight jeans and feel good."
"Laurie is very gifted," agreed fellow camper Beth Ackerman, also of Norwalk.
The way campers see it, the gain is worth the pain and then some. It helps that the course, intense as it is, never gets boring. Shouting encouragement, Laura leads her students on a cardio circuit which features running laps, side shuffles, dodging in and out of hoops and jumping from a squat position. Toning and stretching exercises include lunges and twists holding a weighted ball, a pilates-inspired mat workout, and light weight-lifting.
"I love helping people create fit, healthy bodies," says Laura. "It's extremely fulfilling to watch them go from being wobbly and a little weak in the beginning to becoming strong and centered a few weeks in." Women of all fitness levels are welcome. Laura is very sensitive to varying physical conditions and tailors every exercise to each woman's personal needs and capabilities.
The boot camp is a four week (three days a week) program which includes nutritional counseling, motivational training, hiking and before-and-after evaluations. The cost is $299. For more info call 203-604-9909 or visit www.norwalkbootcamp.com.
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