944 Magazine

Smells Like Team Spirit

No One Bears the Burden of Getting in Shape Alone at Boot Camp San Diego

by Michelle Hackney, photos by Kara Ferguson

Increasing numbers of San Diegans who have become tired of crowded gyms, pulsing music, and beeping gadgets have turned to organized outdoor workouts. As many hard-bodied, sun-kissed locals will agree, exercising alfresco does more for the mind, body and soul than any hefty gym membership or fancy spa package.

Sal Convento, Owner of the United States Karate Academy, has liberated exercisers and offers Boot Camp San Diego, a one-hour, fresh-air, full-boy workout. Convento says one of the most tangible benefits of outdoor exercise is are the feelings of enjoyment and freedom. This translates to more frequent and more efficient participation. Boot Camp San Diego participants claim to be enticed with the joys of a sunrise and the brisk breeze off the bay, and find that they become more flexible in their approach to fitness.

"You need the power to charge through obstacles on the road to success, and you need the freedom that comes with knowing that you can get through anything," says Convento. "Having someone to hold you accountable and having a consistent exercise regimen that you enjoy is the best way to look and feel great. It's a quick way to a lifetime of health and happiness."

Convento is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, an ex-officer and an ex-Navy pilot who shares his boot camp experiences with more than 50 die-hard aficionados every day. As a fourth-degree black belt and Tang Soo Do World Cup Champion with 22 years of experience in the martial arts, Convento is certain that he has formulated a workout that leads straight to success. At the United States Karate Academy, students and instructors make a conscious decision together to be their best by focusing on six key elements in life: discipline, self-esteem, fitness/flexibility, confidence, perseverance, and setting and achieving goals while training in the traditional Korean martial art of Tang Soo Do. Convento applies the same philosophies to Boot Camp San Diego.

"At $11 to $15 per boot camp class, most people spend more on lunch and lattes and see nothing but their pocketbooks slimming," says Convento. "Being held accountable for your workout at a price like that is worth all the pounds you'll shed...and more."

At each session, participants work up a sweat with a mix of sprints, push-ups, squats, obstacle courses, pull-ups, medicine ball workouts, abdominal workouts and an array of body weight exercises. The goal is to have each participant focus on four key components of exercise: endurance, strength, balance and flexibility. Each day is different and over the course of a week, workouts will include a combination of cardio and strength training. Each class ends with stretching and food for thought.

"I don't know if I've ever had such quick results working out," says Ruben Bernai, a devoted boot camper. "I lost 20 pounds after three months of boot camp."

"I have gradually dropped four sizes in seven months and have lost 8 percent body fat since I've been doing boot camp with Sal" says Christine Kinsella, owner of To the Point Gaslamp Acupuncture. "This is the best shape I've been in as an adult and I'm loving it."

Boot Camp San Diego is held from 6 to 7 a.m. Monday thru Friday downtown behind the Convention Center, and an all women camp is held on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Naval Training Center, Liberty Station in Point Loma.

Get your butt in shape at www.sd-bootcamp.com.

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