Student-led boot camp class promotes healthy living

Kaitlin Beningo is a speech pathology major with a passion for exercise and nutrition. Now, Beningo wants to give others the chance to learn about living healthier lives.  She is doing this by boot camp Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:15 p.m. for a period of six weeks. This strength and conditioning workout requires dedication and commitment.

“No goal will ever be met without dedication and consistency,” Beningo said. “I really drill clean nutrition and staying active, even on days that they don’t work out with me.”

Several things are provided for the participants to truly make progress.

“There will be programmed workouts; they will never do the same exercise twice during the six weeks,” Beningo said. “A ‘little black book’ is provided, which includes nutritional guidance, meal plan examples, exercise examples and six weeks’ worth of days that you record everything that you eat.”

These books help Beningo track the boot campers’ nutrition, and she keeps them accountable.

“I check them every session and tell them what they’re doing right and what they’re doing wrong,” Beningo said.

One of Beningo’s favorite exercises is called “Tabata.” This exercise consists of 20 seconds of work and 10 seconds of rest. For example, boot campers sprint for 20 seconds and then walk for 10 seconds for approximately eight rounds.

It is also important to know the basics of boot camp, including pushups, sit-ups, squats, lunges and running.

“Once you master those, you can feel safe and confident to move on to other challenging movements,” Beningo said.

One of the important rules of boot camp is to focus on nutrition.

“Get rid of sugar loaded soda and sports drinks, stay off fast food and rely on what Mother Nature has out there for us: lean meat, veggies, fruit, nuts and seeds,” Beningo said.

Eating healthy will ultimately result in change, according to Beningo.

“I’m so passionate about this program because I know what it has given me as a client,” Beningo said. I want to be that motivation for others and help my clients reach the goals that my trainers helped me reach for myself.”

    Those interested in joining boot camp can speak with Beningo at the Intramural Fields today. The program is open to anyone, and a student discount is available.