Viewed from above, Basic Training’s fitness boot camps look like a track meet designed by worker ants. On the ground, participants bound over hurdles, crawl through obstacle courses, and wield heavy objects such as sandbags, sledgehammers, and beer kegs. In actuality, these workouts are designed by a human fitness expert: Rodney Carson, a drill instructor who has trained at military bases such as the Army National Guard Camp San Luis Obispo and the United States Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. Based on the Marine Corps physical-training regimen, his boot camps propel participants toward fitness goals while boosting their confidence and breaking their bad habits. Many workouts draw from his experiences preparing for track-and-field events, such as the International Masters Track Circuit, where he won three gold medals for his speedy footwork. Calories melt during his boot camps’ sprints and fartlek runs, and bodyweight exercises make muscles more ripply than an ocean preparing a shaken martini. During field-meet days, dodge ball, kickball, and tug-of-war battles jump-start workouts with an extra dose of fun. Experienced instructors lead each session, inspiring the group with friendly shouts, hearty claps, and tips on form and technique. In addition to helming camps for civilians of all fitness levels, Rodney and his crew train first responders, such as police officers, firefighters, and soldiers, during special-operations sessions.

What services does your business offer and what makes your business stand out from the competition? We offer an amazing community of coaching. Members are challenged daily in order to acquire the results they desire. Community and family are number one, and the last person finishing is just as important as the first. Exercise is challenging. How do you keep clients motivated and engaged? Clients are constantly motivated by their coaches, peers, excelling through the program, and smashing personal records. What was the inspiration to start or run this business? After crossfitting for 6 years, and having the opportunity of training soldiers using functional fitness I wanted to bring my knowledge and training experience to everyone. I see through my children the need to increase quality of life as well. What do you love most about your job? We love coaching clients through new movements. We love to see them challenge themselves and encourage other members. We love watching ordinary people become extraordinary through their before and after pictures, and their new personal records!

Alan “AJ” Vidlund might have had some hint of what he wanted to do with his life when he was playing baseball as a five year old. He grew up in an athletic family and went on to earn a college degree in fitness, and he's now the owner of LiveFit Boot Camp Greater Sacramento. He's also a certified trainer, and he'll jump in to lead boot camps there as well. These camps keep muscles guessing and attendees engaged with combinations of sprinting, suspension training, kettlebell moves, and other exercises. Trainers will also check in with no-shows to make sure they’re staying on track, including LiveFit's founders Jaron Eliopoulos and Jeffrey Sears. Today they’re playfully dubbed “The Boot Camp Guys,” but they were merely students of kinesiology when they met in 2005. After bonding over a shared passion for fitness, the two began to move toward their current nickname by leading boot camp on the side of personal-training jobs.

What services does your business offer and what makes your business stand out from the competition? I have 13 years of experience, multiple certifications as a personal trainer and sports performance coach. Sessions are private and focused on your goals. Exercise is challenging. How do you keep clients motivated and engaged? Short and long term goal setting, accountability, positive reinforcement and results! What was the inspiration to start or run this business? I love working with people and helping people get healthy the right way. Teaching people life style change instead of gimmicks. What do you love most about your job? Guiding clients from poor health and fitness, to a healthy body that will stand the test of time.

Kaia FIT is about teamwork as much as it is about fitness. Every day, women gather together to form a net of support, keeping each other accountable and encouraging each other to be the healthiest, happiest version of themselves they can be. In this environment, they're able to focus on re-teaching their bodies how to move naturally while building strength and endurance. Kaia FIT's flagship program is called BRIK. It's designed to build not only on itself but also on the fitness potential of every woman who signs up. Taking the form of six-week boot camps, these BRIK sessions gradually ramp up the difficulty while incorporating physical assessments and nutritional plans. But that's not all Kaia has to offer. Core classes focus on cardiovascular endurance as well as muscular strength.

Make yourself a member at Fitness MD in Roseville, and enjoy working out at a spot you'll love. Head on over to the in-house restaurant for a delectable meal. Having trouble finding that family-friendly activity everyone will love? This gym is made for all ages, so little ones are welcome to come along, too. Designed for all fitness levels, these kickboxing classes will give you a great cardio workout. Take advantage of their excellent personal trainers to ensure that your fitness goals are met on the time table you set. Parking is plentiful, so visitors can feel free to bring their vehicles. So get your fitness on at Roseville's Fitness MD and make sure you have more than enough energy to get through the day.