EVERETT — Boot camp instructor and personal trainer Al Yenkevich’s voice booms across the gym: “Why are you here?”
About 25 adults from around Snohomish County cheer and yell back each time Yenkevich roars the question.
Yenkevich runs the Total Sweat Fitness Dynamic Bootcamp, a high-energy class where he mixes up the routines, blares bands such the Black Eyed Peas and Nirvana and stresses personal safety.
People from Mill Creek, Everett, Snohomish and Marysville pushed through sprints and wall squats and carried buckets filled with weights during class earlier this month.
“Keep your heart rate down,” Yenkevich cautions one participant.
“Lift your knees higher,” he instructs another.
Yenkevich, who served in the Army in the ’80s, has about 15 years of experience in personal training and nutrition.
But don’t let the barking and camouflage pants intimidate you.
Yenkevich puts a strong emphasis on safety, encouraging students to respect their bodies.
Mary Morrison, who runs the boot camp with Yenkevich, says the class offers a full-body workout and allows people to work at their own pace.
Morrison says they have participants with injuries and some are in their 60s and 70s, which Yenkevich keeps in mind.
“He’ll push everyone really hard but will back down, too,” she says.
Yenkevich says his boot camp is unique because he provides the equipment and switches up the fitness routines to create muscle confusion to prevent boredom and encourage weight loss.
“People don’t know what’ll hit ’em,” he says, smiling.
He has organized 35 different workouts targeting cardio and balance, speed and agility.
Yenkevich’s current class is offered to anyone over age 15.
Sarah Olsen of Everett says she lost 3 inches during her first month of boot camp.
The camp works for her because of Yenkevich’s style and the array of exercises her offers.
“He’s tough in a caring way,” she says.
Genay McIntosh of Bothell says Yenkevich understands people’s limitations, but he doesn’t let you quit.
For Everett resident Tom Cooper, the camp works because he said he can’t motivate himself to work out unless someone is pushing him.
“A lot of people don’t know how far they can push themselves,” Yenkevich says. “I’m right there in their face.”
Get fit
Total Sweat Fitness Dynamic Bootcamp is Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Beautiful Savior Church, 12810 35th Ave. SE, Everett. Cost is $20 per class or $15 per class if you sign up for the month. For more information, call 425-330-3398 or go to www.totalsweatfitness.com.
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