Program combines all aspects of fitness training to prepare women for the big day
With a new batch of spring and summer bride-to-bes getting ready to say I do, fitting into that dream dress may be at the front of their minds but it isn’t always at the top of their realistic to-do list. But Kim McGuire understands the importance of looking and feeling your best and she’s found a way to help any bride ` and her bridal party ` squeeze into their once-in-a-lifetime dresses in a pinch.
Her solution is called `bridal boot camp` and it’s a program that combines cardio, strength training and healthy eating, tailored to specific fitness goals and time frames. Bridal boot camp can be done individually, but McGuire suggests getting the party started early by inviting bridesmaids and the maid of honor to join, too.
`Boot camp with a whole bridal party is really fun. Organizing a wedding is extremely stressful and exercise really helps reduce that [stress]. If a group is all working towards more or less the same goal, then spirits stay high, people are in better moods and able to deal with the stresses of planning a wedding,` said McGuire, who is certified in personal training, group fitness and senior fitness.
McGuire said she works with each bridal party personally to determine everyone’s goals and schedules. If there’s not a day or location everyone can meet on, she still makes sure everybody stays on track using an online logging program where they can enter their exercise and food intake for the day. She said she does a fitness and body composition assessment with each client so she can create appropriate exercises before the camp starts.
`A lot of people think they know what to do but they need that push or motivation. Depending on the schedule for that group, I will arrange times, days and locations that work best for that particular bridal party; we can do five days a week or once a week,` said McGuire. `My approach is that, I’m your personal trainer whether you’re in a group or one on one, and what I teach in my classes can be translated into a workout that everyone can do on their own. I don’t do things that you can do only when you meet with me.`
Bridal boot camp is McGuire’s latest effort but unique boot camps are what she’s built her fitness business, Saratoga Fit, around. She offers an evening boot camp at Malta Health and Fitness and an early morning boot camp in the Niskayuna area that teases the inner child`playground boot camp at 5:30 a.m.
`We travel to different playgrounds and parks every week or so. We do work on swings, stairs, bleachers, monkey bars, picnic areas or trails,` said McGuire. `Many of the women are runners who need the other part of fitness and it’s something that keeps people on track if you work out with other people.`
McGuire also serves as personal trainer, traveling to homes or other fitness centers to make exercise as convenient as possible. She currently has about 12 trainees and said she’s seen good results with people meeting weight loss goals. Seeing people accomplish something that can be life changing is why she said she started Saratoga Fit about a year ago.
`I used to be Director at Schenectady JCC and one of the things I was able to do and loved was conducting fitness classes. Through that experience I recognized the desire of people to challenge themselves to do something. Exercise in a group setting that was a little different than classes that use choreography, like Zumba,` said McGuire. `I’ve found a lot of people seem to appreciate and benefit from classes that hit the entire body. It’s fabulous and people have a ball and end up doing things they really didn’t think they could do.`
McGuire said she wants people to know fitness is simple once you know what to do and her programs are designed to allow people to continue solo.
`The exercises I show you are easy to do on your own and I don’t use weird tools. I use exercise bands, body weight, things you can use in office, on vacation, while traveling so people can do these exercises and don’t need me,` said McGuire. `When you’re not with me you’ll know exactly what to do.`
Those interested in learning more about Saratoga Fit programs or in registering for one can find more information at www.saratogafit.vpweb.com or call 605-8354. Personal or group training sessions are typically offered in 30 minute sessions which range in price from $30 to $75. Boot camps are usually about a month long and cost around $89.“
