PacWest Athletics -- Outdoor Fitness "BootCamp"

I have been attending the PacWest boot camps for a year... four seasons including the dreaded winter season and I have loved it.

I attend the south beach / mission bay one, the trainer is awesome and the area is really fun to work out in... GREAT sunrises and we vary the route each time. OK its at 6am BUT it is 100% worth it.

It's primarily strength training and we use a resistance band and the outside "terrain" for equipment

I would never have tried it but my friend dragged me along to the first and I have been going ever since.

It is also a very reasonable price for 2 sessions a week and 8 weeks a season

try it for a session... you will have fun!

Pros: Exercise is done for the day by 7:15, trainers, scenery

Cons: getting up at 5:30 but it is worth it

Posted 05/08/08

This is my first bootcamp experience and am very impressed with the PacWest program. After playing tennis and working out in gyms for years, I decided it was time to experience the beauty of Marin while challenging my personal fitness level. PacWest has exceeded my expectations in both areas.

The locations they use are inspiring (the marina and beach in Sausalito, Dipsea stairs in Mill Valley, headlands overlooking the GG bridge, etc.) and provide a variety of natural elements that are incorporated into the workouts. I love seeing the sun rise over the bay while sweating on the beach or in the middle of a forest grove.

The workouts become more challenging each week and include cardio, core, strength, stretch and plyometrics. It's a total body workout that inspiries me for the day. The trainers are focused and creative and each brings a little something new and different to their sessions. There's not a lot of conversation or needless rah-rah, just encouragement and tips on form. Every participant needs to take responsibilbility for their own level of effort. The atmosphere is non-competitive and more about exceeding your own previous limitations.

PacWest also does a very good job communicating via email and providing opportunities to make up a session if you have a conflict. The prices are very reasonable and the value is outstanding.

I'm really glad I found PacWest and have signed up for the next session as well.

Pros: Inspiring locations, excellent results, great value

Cons: None

Posted 05/04/07

Do you seek added aggravation? Is your life lacking excuses, punitive personalities, and neediness beyond compare? Do you enjoy dull, uninspiring, less than challenging, workouts provided by trainer who possesses no motivational ability whatsoever? Are you looking to be beleaguered by annoying requests to explain yourself beyond reason? If so---Pacific West Athletics is for you.
I thought, this will be fabulous ---I'll get out of the gym, mix it up with some new people, enjoy the fresh air, and conquer a new challenge. WRONG!
PacWest is a waste of time! You are much better off to call a group of friends and go for a run than to spend a dime on the lackluster programs offered by PacWest Athletics. They specialize in frustrating their clients, offering zero motivation, lack of creativity, lack of varitey in exercize, and disorganization.
Do not look to PacWest to provide challenging workouts, inspiration to keep it moving, or new and innovative exercises.
Sign up only if you enjoy being bored to death and brutalized by nonexistant personalities.

Pros: none, nada, zip, zilch, ZERO

Cons: trainers, the owner, the venues, the exercise program as a whole

Posted 04/02/07

"I LOVE BOOTCAMP!"
I was introduced to Pacwest Bootcamp in January of 2005. This class strengthens your core using muscles you never thought you had. I was sore every day after class but it was the best feeling ever because I knew thoses muscles were getting defined! This bootcamp class not only got me in shape but now I am a lot stronger. I am more toned than ever before...and isn't that everyones goal?
This bootcamp class is a challenge for females as well as males. Its not a chick workout...trust me!
The instructors are awesome and we workout in some of the hottest spots in Marin County, San Francisco and now even Lake Merrit in Oakland.
Perfect time to start and get in shape for the upcoming year!!

Pros: affordable, locations, meeting new people

Posted 10/06/05

PacWest is for you if you have serious athletic goals but still have to hold down a job! I started with the running program and was eventually lured into the triathlon program. I have also participated in many Boot Camp sessions. I can definitely say that I am in the best shape of my life and I attribute much if not most of that to the framework that PacWest provides for athletes to grow. Members are very supportive of each other and there is great camaraderie. There is a good mix of beginner to very experienced athletes, which is inspiring to those just starting out. Yet, there are enough experienced members to provide training support to those with advanced goals. If you aren't interested in entering races, it's a great way to just stay in shape. You may be tempted to push yourself more than you thought you could, though!

Pros: coaching, camaraderie, motivational value

Posted 05/03/05

I have participated in both PacWest's Boot Camps and running programs, and I have been very happy with both. I play a lot of soccer, and they have helped me with my endurance training and stregthening the areas like abs and lower back that I usually don't work on. Great staff, too! Kim and Anna are awesome instructors!

Posted 03/15/05

Signing up for boot camp is the only thing that could motivate me to wake up at 5am with enthusiasm; looking forward to see the sunrise along the marina waterfront, just under the golden gate bridge, or seeing the city lights under the moonlight, fade and become a pastel colored sky while orange streaks of light beam through the palm trees at Dolores Park. Boot Camp was like going on a photographer's trip to the more gorgeous places in San Francisco at the best times to see them. AND, you get exercise as a fringe benefit. I couldnt run more than 2 blocks without huffing and puffing before I joined a year ago, and since, I've completed three triathlons. It has been an amazing experience and I recommend it highly.

Posted 03/15/05

PacWest's two triathlon programs are a super value for those who are anywhere from novice to very competitive. The group workouts are very supportive for all and the staff is very knowledgeable and approachable. I'm not all that into mt. biking, but I've dropped into the DirtPac workouts before, and found them to be a blast. If you're looking to get into the Xterra or other off-road tri craze, these guys are offering the only training program in the Bay Area that I know of.

Pros: Inexpensive, Friendly, Knowledgeable

Posted 03/15/05

I can't say enough about Pac West. I've never felt more motivated to train. It's affordable, the trainers are very professional, accept all levels, focus on enjoyment and goals, and the members are inspiring wonderful people!

Pros: , great locations

Cons: , parking

Posted 03/15/05