Deseret News | Shape up! Boot-camp training is fast-paced, high-energy, brutal, yet friendly

Reader comments
Shape up! Boot-camp training is fast-paced, high-energy, brutal, yet friendly

Sounds fun... | 7:50 a.m. Feb. 23, 2009

In the dark ages, it was self-flaggellation. Self torture is an effective way to threaten yourself into doing things you know you should be doing anyway... but don't...

I think I would owe the camp about 30000 pushups this week.

Muscled-up | 9:02 a.m. Feb. 23, 2009

As a healthcare professional, I've been trained in the proper conditioning and care of the human body. Sad to report, most of my colleagues have seemingly let themselves go over the years. When I first met Jess to enlist, he said, "you're kind of a skinny little guy.' I've never felt as though I was a 'skinny little guy,' however, my inability to even complete a single push-up during my Hell Week confirmed my decision to enlist and Jess' decision to permit this 'skinny little guy' to complete a program that is clearly over-looked by the less-muscled.
Two weeks ago, I began my second phase of Bootcamp training (weeks 7-12); I'm not only doing push-ups like a Rocky Balboa stand-in, I'm also providing stronger patient care. Just last week, while helping to transfer a larger patient from her wheelchair to her bed, her arms suddenly gave out as she began to fall yelling "I'm falling;" to which I replied: "Don't worry--I've got you;" for which I owe my gratitude and her safety to Jess, 'cause I'm Bootcamp strong!

AshTrash | 11:14 a.m. Feb. 23, 2009

OH. MY. HECK....this looks awesome!! Too bad it's expensive. Guess I'll have to continue my self-inflicted torture until I can save up!!

Comments continue below

committed | 11:24 a.m. Feb. 23, 2009

I started my 3rd week of boot camp this morning. This year I turned 50 and found myself out of shape and over weight. Is Boot Camp hard...yes. Does it work...only if you do. Thanks Instructor Richins for pushing me.

Addicted to Bootcamp! | 11:59 a.m. Feb. 23, 2009

I'm in my 5th week of bootcamp and I NEVER thought that I could do the things that I have done. I was moderately active before, but this challenged my physical fitness level like nothing ever has before. I am one of those that has asthma and an ankle injury and I can still do all of the workouts. I would recommend this program to EVERYONE!

What am I? BOOTCAMP STRONG!

0500 Fireball | 12:16 p.m. Feb. 23, 2009

Boot Camp is the best thing I have EVER done for myself. There are many who will wonder if they have the ability to take on Boot Camp. I say, "Yes you can!" Take it from someone who was morbidly obese when she started this program - it IS for everyone. Jess has pushed my body to do things I never would have thought possible. Jess is saving me from a family history of type II diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. It CAN be done and Jess is doing it.

PT Thornton | 12:24 p.m. Feb. 23, 2009

I lost 26lbs in 6 weeks doing bootcamp. Instructor Thomas changed my life. It was so hard, and yes it is expensive. You will be motivated to exercise and lose weight! Thanks Bootcamp!!

I Love Bootcamp w/ Jess | 2:39 p.m. Feb. 23, 2009

I feel so much stronger! I am starting my eighth week of Bootcamp with Jess. It has changed my life for the better. I feel better, have more energy and believe in myself much more than I did. I was a gymnast in High School, but with life, work and kids I have spent the last 36 years getting more and more out of shape. I'm 53 and if I can do this, anyone can! Believe in yourself, go out and do it! You will never imagine what you are really capable of.

PT Eichbauer | 3:10 p.m. Feb. 23, 2009

I got nostalgic reading this. I miss everything about bootcamp. I miss the intense variety of workouts, encouraging fellow PT's, the instructors (yes, even Instructor Thomas' SMARTY PANTS remarks AND his old school dance routines when a favorite song of his would come on.), I actually liked getting measured every other week just to see that my hardwork had provingly payed off. And mostly I miss feeling so strong and having so much energy. My friend (PT Johnson) and I joined bootcamp together last spring and have since kept the weight off. Going to Gold's or even another personal trainer is just not the same though, we've tried it all and nothing has changed our body's like bootcamp has. We can't wait to start another session of bootcamp to help get us passed another plateau!

PT Lewis | 4:36 p.m. Feb. 23, 2009

I LOVE Bootcamp w/ Jess. I miss it everyday. If you want to get your booty kicked, you must sign up ASAP! Awesome, as soon as I save up again, I'll be back.

Tyler | 9:12 a.m. Feb. 24, 2009

Sounds great, but these programs should be more carefully monitored - and they aren't. My brother-in-law has been in the hospital for a week with kidney damage after just 3 days of Bootcamp with Jess.

Care to report on the other side of this story?

RE: Tyler | 1:57 p.m. Feb. 24, 2009

Tyler... Sorry to hear about your bro-in-law. Is it possible that he had some pre-existing stuff before starting bootcamp? It just seems that there is always that one case where something bad could happen and sometimes does... I don't know. Hope he feels better soon!

Warren | 3:05 p.m. Feb. 24, 2009

Tyler's point should receive signifcant attention. Whether or not there is something pre-existing (Tyler did not mention anything pre-existing and bootcamp ought to do their homework to ensure they are not aggrevating a prexisting condition) the point is that if something bad can happen then the program needs to be designed and monitored to protect the individual.

Kidney Girl | 4:26 p.m. Feb. 24, 2009

I am sure there were other reason that he was in the hospital with kidney damage. Maybe he did not drink enough water, or he had some other type of medical condition. I would like to know what his doctors diagnosis was and if it was directly related to working out.

Elizabeth | 6:45 p.m. Feb. 24, 2009

Rhabdomyolysis, look it up! Not caused from dehydration and NOT caused from other types of medical conditions and IS caused from intense work-out which can injure the muscle tissue. The muscle tissue then goes through your bloodstream and tries to filter through your kidney which can lead to kidney failure or damage. Not caused from anything pre-existing. Now do you want to debate whether it was pre-existing or not? Pretty scary! Boot Camp with Jess should have medical staff there at all times. Also, the trainers should know their limits and when to stop their trainee.

Leigh | 7:05 p.m. Feb. 24, 2009

Common on guys! Every positive comment looks like it was orchestrated by Boot Camp personnel. There has to be some who are concerned that fanatic programs do not always practice reasonable safeguards. Is Boot Camp fearful of some type of legal action due to negligent action?

BOOYA - PT Zimmerman | 7:08 p.m. Feb. 24, 2009

I went to BOOT CAMP (Charlie Co - Instr Crocket)for 21 weeks. That was over 18 months ago and I have kept the weight off, maintained a steady workout routine and healthy eating habits. This is for everyone, all ages, male & female and fitness levels. I would recommend it to anyone looking to loose weight, gain muscle or just improve their fitness level. BOOYA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you,

Inst Crocket for your dedication to my training sessions.

Inst Thomas for your vision and commitment to physical fitness.

P.S. I am a 41 year old male!

Nichole | 9:04 p.m. Feb. 24, 2009

How scary! Kidney damage from extreme workout. I was considering doing Jess's Boot Camp, but I think I'll pass. I'll find other ways to stay healthy and fit without potentially causing any harm to my body. I hope your brother in law recovers quickly.

PT Karim | 5:05 a.m. Feb. 25, 2009

I was in the class with your Brother-in-law and he told me he had Kidney problems in the past.

PT Litton | 5:11 a.m. Feb. 25, 2009

I know he was asked before durring and after class, : are you sick or injured? "do you wish to coontinue" We are asked this every day. If the Client says they are sick or injured they will be dismissed and training will stop.

PT | 7:20 a.m. Feb. 25, 2009

I was on the treadmill next to this new client and he was joking and laughing with me all the time. I think somebody is making this up because they dont like Botcamp with jess

Deseret reader | 8:28 a.m. Feb. 25, 2009

I looked up Rhabdomyolysis.
1,muscle breakdown, muscle damage, crushing injury,electrical shock, Drugs or toxins.This guy could be taken drugs.

Ash | 8:31 a.m. Feb. 25, 2009

Do you want the hospital bills to prove it? Why not ask Jess where he is? What hospital he is in? What the heck happened to him and why he isn't in class anymore. I think if you ask Jess he will tell you. Kidney stones is something different then kidney failure or damage.

Nicole Warburton are you ready for a new article?

Jordan | 8:50 a.m. Feb. 25, 2009

I also know the trainee who was put in the hospital for kidney failure. No one is "making this up". I have nothing against Jess or his bootcamp. In fact I don't even know him. I do know that the proper precautions were not taken to prevent this from happening. I'm sorry PT Litton, but you are mistaken as well. The trainee DID NOT have kidney problems in the past. I'm not here to sabotage Jess or his training methods, but to promote addition safety measures to prevent this from happening again.

PT Karim | 10:39 a.m. Feb. 25, 2009

None of the comments are orchestrated. This bootcamp really has made a difference in many people's lives. The PT with the kidney failure did in fact mention that he has had several kidney problems in the past and has a history of it in his family. The bottom line is that when you sign up for bootcamp, you are asked about your medical history and you are asked to see a physician before beginning any strenuous exercise program. You are made aware of any risks with extreme exercise and you assume that risk.
No one is assuming that any of this is made up. I feel bad for PT W, and hopes he gets better soon. Inst. Thomas has genuine care and concern about every PT that comes through. But he can't know what's going on inside a PT's body. It's good that PT W went to the doctor when he did because when I last talked to him, he said he didn't think it was a big deal and he had planned to be back the next day.
We just hope he gets better and finds a fitness program that works for him.

Common Sense | 12:29 p.m. Feb. 25, 2009

Bootcamp with Jess is an extreme circuit training program. There is no magic pill, no magic formula. If you get kidney failure from circuit training, them there is obviously wrong with you from the beginning. It is a fast paced hour of cardio and weight lifting. If you cannot handle an hour (about 30 minutes of cardio) and 30 minutes of weight lifting, then you are really out of shape. I think the people that are posting to this board are just trying to sabatoge bootcamp with jess since they cant handle the program.

Addy | 2:18 p.m. Feb. 25, 2009

To Common Sense:
Give me a break! No one is sabotaging the program! PT W signed up for the program at his own will. There was nothing wrong with him from the beginning other than a history of kidney stones! This has nothing to do with common sense on PT W's behalf. He did the 30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of weight lifting, without complaint. He is not extremely overweight nor extremely out of shape. He had a complication from working out so hard. He gave it his all, he can handle the program! I know this program can help a lot of people! We just want to let people know that such extreme measures really can be harmful to your body! Just beware before you sign up that something can go wrong! Where is the common sense on behalf of the boot camp?

PT Brunson | 3:08 p.m. Feb. 25, 2009

I started bootcamp a couple years ago w/o doing any type of extreme circuit training before and became addicted to it! The enrollment packet as well as the website do a great job in describing what kind of program you are signing up for. I always find it interesting when people don't hold themselves accountable for their own actions. IT always has to be someone else's fault. You know your body better than anyone else and should know when something's not right. Inst. Thomas does ask about how you're feeling at the end of EACH session but it should not have to be his responsibility to do a full medical background check. The enrollment packet clearly states you should see an MD first if you have health concerns!

PT Bates | 6:24 p.m. Feb. 25, 2009

I also knew the trainee who was put in the hospital for kidney failure. I have been doing bootcamp for long enough now to see people go on to make unbelievable changes in themselves. People who arrive in MUCH, MUCH worse shape than PT W., and finish the program. People who have serious medical conditions. I would like someone, anyone to tell me about a gym or fitness program that has "trained medical staff" available at all times. Or one that has someone in your face asking if you are able to continue. If you're drinking your water. If you have blood in your urine. If your sick or injured. I wonder...if PT W. had not been asked these questions by Instructor Thomas, would he have just pushed on, and not said anything? I think that all of us PT's would wholeheartedly agree that what happened is truly unfortunate, but get real. This is extreme fitness training. You assume a risk the minute you walk through that door. I hope that the above hype doesn't deter anyone from trying this type of program, or take away from the positive aspects of it. BOO-YA!!!!!!!

Muscled-Up | 9:05 a.m. Feb. 26, 2009

Working in health-care, I've been blessed to witness the births of few and the unfortunate deaths of many--still, I stand in amazement at the human body and what it can and does not do at times; no matter how hard I've tried to keep that body of complex systems working and alive.
I've seen the most apparently healthy people drop dead in front of me and the most apparently unhealthy people walk out of the hospital skipping; a bet I would have lost time and time again if I were a betting man--my point being; there is ALWAYS more going on than what meets the eye.
The human body is a complex system of systems; one system goes out of sync and suddenly, you're taking an Air-Med flight--hoping!

Having shared that; I'm certain that my medical training has made me that much more skeptical of any fitness program I participated with; Bootcamp w/Jess is by far the most superior program I've found when it comes to participant safety and the ONLY program I would recommend.

Amen! | 12:21 p.m. Feb. 26, 2009

Nice follow-up, Muscled!! Get better PT W! I've been attending 24 hour fitness for the past 3 months and not once did anyone ask me how I was feeling? I totally agree, the packet of information identifies the nature of the program and yes your are asked at the beginning and end of a session if you are sick or injured!! These people have your best interest in mind during the program, if not, they wouldn't be successful!! Keep up the great work Thomas and Co!!

Last word | 7:42 a.m. Feb. 27, 2009

One death or ruined health is too many!

Not the last word | 10:07 a.m. March 2, 2009

Not exercising will kill you.

bj | 10:51 a.m. March 2, 2009

When people exercise properly after being fairly stationary, toxins will arise which if not released quickly will create soreness. Also feelings are released which can induce crying. I always try to work with a true Shiatsu massage therapist along with exercising so the toxins and the emotions are released from the organs and muscles. The Olympics have endorsed the use of Sunrider whole food concentrates which aid in fast release of toxins while supporting the energy replacement. Beware of protein drinks and isolated minerals and vitamins. They are chemical bound together with starch which inhibit the body's workout and recovery.

PT Pollock | 12:11 p.m. March 2, 2009

I'm in my 5th week of bootcamp with Instructors Thomas and Crook. I NEVER thought that I could do the things that I have done. I was 100% a couch potato. Found myself at 42 years young and seriously overweight and out of shape. The first day of bootcamp really kicked my butt. That night I was physically ill; cold and clammy one minute then hot the next. I lay in bed sure I wouldn't see the morning but, I did! And I reported on day 2... Yes, I went back for more!! I was terrified on day 2 but pulled through. MANY THANKS to the other PT's that helped me get through day 5 of hellweek at the HHS track & Instructor Richins for his encouragement! My experience included up/down the bleachers (not just running track as the article suggests). I tell my husband every night that I got my butt kicked today at bootcamp. He tells me that is what I am paying them for! I encourage ANYONE to the challenge of bootcampwithjess. Always remember, You MUST Drink your H20!! What am I? I'M BOOTCAMP STRONG! Thx Jess ;-D

Last word | 3:53 p.m. March 7, 2009

I think it's time to look in the mirror and move on! My suggestion, try a little exercise. Just be careful when you get off the couch, you don't wan't to pull a muscle.

grannyjan17 | 12:54 p.m. March 31, 2009

OK - first of all everyone should check with their physician prior to beginning a new exercise regime - it's just common sense. I am a 57 year old female (the oldest one to start the program at the time) who hadn't exercised in a very long time. I survived hell week - much to the surprise of Thomas and Crockett - not to mention my own. I lost 35 lbs and went from a size 14 (almost 16) down to a size 6 (or 4 depending on the brand/style). Yes, I hurt - all 6 weeks, not just hell week. Yes, I was tired and sore. Yes, I did it. Yes, I re-enlisted several times. I have no regrets about spending the money - and yes, it's expensive. It's still cheaper than a personal trainer. The instructors are very conscientious and careful. They aren't doctors and don't profess to be. They recommend that you see one prior to beginning the training. They consistently ask if you are feeling ill and if you want to continue. Those of us that continue shouldn't blame Thomas if we choose to push ourselves.

Obese | 2:25 p.m. Dec. 2, 2009

Hi, I so want to try this program but am scared because I am "mobidly obese" at 320 lbs. Has anyone seen anyone my size in the class? I need something to give me the confidence to work out again but I get winded just from walking...I don't see how I could really do this program. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.

6 photos

Michael Brandy, Deseret News

Trainer Jess Thomas, right, puts camouflage paint on the face of Kim Stringham before her workout.

Gallery (6 photos)

Follow us on facebook

Christmas TV guide

Reader comments
Shape up! Boot-camp training is fast-paced, high-energy, brutal, yet friendly

Add your comment

Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil

Companies get help to franchise

Editorial: Iran up to old tricks

Letters: Global warming a lie

Letters: Liberal because LDS

Letters: Global warming a lie

TCU's BCS game missing something

BoM translation remarkably consistent

Store planning for Palin crush

Playing time tough for Jazz

Reader comments Shape up! Boot-camp training is fast-paced, high-energy, brutal, yet friendly

Add your comment

Reader comments
Shape up! Boot-camp training is fast-paced, high-energy, brutal, yet friendly