(This post is in recognition of Steve, one of the custodians at the school where we hold boot camp, who always makes sure we have everything we need for the sessions.  He lost everything he owns in a house fire yesterday.  Call SAMS school at 867 777-7180 or 777-3111 if you can help in any way.)

Soon after I moved up to Inuvik, someone warned me about the "Inuvik Twenty" - the 20 pounds that new people put on soon after they arrive.  I'm not sure if it's because our bodies instinctively want to put on another layer to deal with the cold, or because of all the socializing and suppers that people invite you to (probably the latter).  Either way, I'm not going to allow that to happen!

So when I heard that there was a free boot camp three days a week at the local elementary school (Sir Alexander Mackenzie School - affectionately called SAMS), I knew I'd be their most faithful adherent. 

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5:30 pm, about a dozen people of various fitness levels gather in the school gym and jump and sweat and yell and laugh, and generally have a great time while burning off those calories. 

We have a couple of energetic leaders who keep us pushing through to the end despite the burning muscles. 

 
Sometimes we do stations in partners - a kind of circuit training that works every muscle from head to toe.  Other times we get our own station with mats, weights, and steps.

Other nights we do military style, going through a series of exercises and then running up the stairs on stage to grab a birdie (shuttlecock) for each round we complete.  The competitive element really motivates you, even though no one really counts the birdies at the end (except for those people who furtively count their neighbour's pile of birdies out of the corner of their eyes!)

The workouts last about 45 minutes and you really feel you've worked every muscle by the end.

If you're in Inuvik and want a fun workout, come on by!