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In
this beach boot camp, class participants
run two to three miles on hard and soft
sand, stairs and sand dunes. They also do
team relays, abdominal workouts and push
ups. Photo courtesy of Justin Rudd
Boot
camp at the beach
By
Jamie Rowe
Online Forty-Niner
Staff Writer
Looking
for a great workout, but hate paying exorbitant
prices only to be stuck inside a gym, waiting
for a machine someone else is sweating all
over? Then Sand Challenge Boot Camp at the
Beach is the perfect solution.
Aerobic
and Fitness Association of America certified
group instructor Justin Rudd started his
workout at the beach six years ago because
he liked running at the beach.
"I
started my beach workouts because it's outdoors,
in the fresh air. It really helps you clear
your head and get in tune with nature. This
is a great way to take advantage of the
beautiful beaches and wonderful weather
we have in our own backyard." Rudd
says Long Beach's temperate weather creates
the perfect environment for an outdoor workout.
Rudd
offers two different exercise classes. He
teaches the Sand Challenge Boot Camp for
an hour on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays
and Sundays at 9 a.m. The class participants
run two to three miles on hard and soft
sand, stairs and sand dunes. They also do
team relays, abdominal workouts and push
ups.
"Running
on sand is two to three times more difficult
than running on concrete," says Rudd.
While
the class bears the name "boot camp,"
Rudd says they try to be more encouraging
than a military drill sergeant. "We
work with whatever level the students are
at, from the beginner to the most advanced.
The class is challenging, no matter what
level," he said.
The
class is geared more toward the intermediate
level, but Rudd offers alternatives for
those at higher or lower ability levels.
According
to the instructor, the class complements
most weightlifting regimens and is a great
way to burn fat and tone the body.
Rudd
also teaches Beach Body Sculpting, a weight
lifting class, on Tuesdays and Thursdays
at 6:30 p.m.
"Using a set of weights, starting at
four pounds for beginners and gradually
increasing, we do squats, lunges, presses,
push ups and curls," he said.
The
first half of the class focuses on the upper
body while the second half concentrates
on the lower body, the legs and buttocks
all to up beat music.
Rudd says, "The Body Sculpting is a
great piggy back class. It's not a cardio
workout like the Sand Challenge, but it
complements it well."
Both
classes include a stretch out and warm up
period at the beginning with a cool down
and stretch out period at the end.
The
only equipment required for each class is
a towel for lying down to do the stretches
and abdominal exercises, a water bottle,
and traditional workout clothes. Rudd recommends
something loose and comfortable to allow
heat to escape the body and athletic shoes.
A set of at least four-pound weights is
required for the Body Sculpting class.
Participants
meet at 4800 E. Ocean Blvd. (at Granada
Ave.), Belmont Shore, Long Beach, at the
wall between the parking lot and the bike
path, next to the Granada Ave. boat launch
ramp for the sand challenge and next to
the cream-colored public restroom (formerly
the yellow Flip Flop Shack) for the body
sculpting. Free parking is available along
Ocean Boulevard.
The
classes are held year round, except the
Wednesday night Sand Challenge, which is
cancelled in the winter due to the dangers
of running on the beach at night.
"I
can have the Body Sculpting because we stay
under a light, but it's too risky to run
around in the sand in the dark," said
Rudd.
Reservations
are not required to join the class. The
first session of each class is free. After
that, the student rate is $20 for four classes,
which can be used in any combination of
the two classes.
"My
students have up to six months to use their
classes. They don't have to be used consecutively,"
said the instructor.
He
does recommend showing up early for the
first session to sign a liability waiver.
If you are under 18, you will need a parent's
signature.
For
more information visit his Web site at:
http://www.justinrudd.com/ or e-mail him
at justinrudd@aol.com to join.
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