Local residents have a new fitness option starting this month as personal trainer Wendy Novotny begins twice-weekly boot camps at Kildonan Park.

Boot camps have been growing in popularity for the past several years. Participants can expect a metabolic conditioning workout, meaning they will work out in a zone that is most effective for burning fat stores while also building strength, endurance and improving their overall health.

Novotny stresses that participants don’t have to be fit to take part in a boot camp. The workout is completely scalable to different fitness levels through the amount of weight a participant uses or how fast they move through exercises.

"Your workout will look different than the person next to you," Novotny says. "But everyone does need to start somewhere."

Novotny, a mom of two school-aged sons, knows the challenge that moms face in fitting a workout into busy days and so structures her classes to be flexible for this niche group.  

"Bring your kids and give them something to keep them occupied. Bring your dog. Just do something," Novotny says. "Something is better than nothing. At least you’ll be lapping the people on the couch, as the saying goes."

As for exercising outdoors, Novotny explains that studies show it elevates a person’s mood. Working out in groups has also been shown to be motivating.

Additionally, Novotny is offering an optional nutritional component where she will analyze participants’ food journals and provide advice on clean eating.

"You know, I’ll be honest, you can eat yourself lean," she says. "But by combining both at the same time, you get the greatest benefit."

The boot camps take place Tuesdays and Thursday from 6 to 7 p.m. For more information, contact wendy@wendynovotny.com.

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In the April 27 episode of You Gotta Eat Here, host John Catucci faces off against a behemoth hamburger from Blondies, the West Kildonan diner at the corner of Main Street and Newton Avenue. Catch encores of the episode this week on Food Network Canada to see how Catucci manages against the 10-pound of meat, a dozen eggs and 80 slices of bacon.

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West Kildonan Memorial Community Centre will celebrate its 65th anniversary this summer.  

A two-day celebration is planned June 8 and 9, ending with a social featuring Juno Award-winning Kenny Shields and Streetheart.  Other planned events include a kids’ soccer fest, family bingo, farmers’ market and children’s activities.

Social tickets are available now and cost $20. The community centre is also seeking volunteers for events. For more information, contact wkmcc@mts.net.

Gabriela Klimes is a community correspondent for West Kildonan. She can be contacted at gklimes@hotmail.com.