Like most people, I didn't quite know what to expect when I signed up for bootcamp, but my general aim was to get fitter and feel more energised. But to say that that's all I've done during my last three months as part of the South Yarra platoon of Original Bootcamp would be missing the point.

Sure, I'm fitter... no doubt about it and I definitely have more energy and no longer have the 3.30pm slump at work. But I'm also stronger and more toned. I can run faster, do more grunts (how many Corporal?), pushups (how do you want them Sarge - straight up, diamond, on a sandbag, one-legged or hindu?), situps and squats than three months ago. I now avoid junk food because it just doesn't give me the energy I need to do what I want. And whilst I'd never call myself a runner, I can now go for a 7km run and the sense of achievement when I do that is second to none.

I've made friends for life, because there's a level of camaraderie that can only be found at 6am in the morning, and if you can't have a laugh and enjoy each others company at that hour of the morning, well then you might as well stay in bed. I will never forget the sessions where we were laughing so hard we couldn't do situps, or the mornings our arms ached from pushups, or the runs along the Yarra with Sarge yelling out "C'mon Bels" to keep me going, or the day we were completely and utterly drenched because it did not stop raining - and we hadn't had that much fun since making mud pies at school.

Most of all, I will not forget the support of my fellow recruits. We pulled together as a team and got each other across the line, whether it was doing an endurance run, during Battle PT, carrying ammo boxes, doing duck walks or another lot of grunts. And doing the work as a team made it even more rewarding.

It's because of Sarge and the Corporals and their passion for getting results from their recruits that I have learnt to push myself harder than ever before and I can now see and feel the results from that. Their dedication to motivation makes you want to work all that harder, and that's why I got up at 5.30am three times a week to go to training, no matter how tempting the snooze button was. 

Thank you - it's been worth every minute of it.

Bels Hillard

I have been jogging regularly for about 2 years. I was getting bored with it and had recently started finding excuses not to jog. I began looking around for something that would challenge and motivate me to exercise again. I first read about the bootcamp from the internet and decided to take a vacation in Melbourne so that I could at the same time attend the southyarra bootcamp for 2 weeks. It was a decision I did not regret. The bootcamp was more than what I had expected. It was tough but very good. In just two weeks, I lost weight, worked muscles that I did not even know existed and achieved a higher level of stamina and fitness. Shortly after I came back from the bootcamp, I participated in a 10km run and thanks to the bootcamp sessions, I am proud to say that I finished the run in a personal best time and more importantly, without stopping at all. The bootcamp sessions also helped me mentally in believing in myself that I could complete the run/exercise. A large part of the success of the bootcamp was due to Sarge Gary and Lance Corporal Irene who were both encouraging and made the camp fun, so much so that you enjoyed the sessions and hence, despite the aching muscles, actually looked forward to the next session. Thanks Gary, Irene and fellow platoon mates for making it the best holiday I have had in Melbourne, Australia. Hooyah!

-Tahirah

Singapore

On my first day at bootcamp, when I saw Sarge Gary set up the cones for our day's activities, I thought to myself that it would be a piece of cake and in fact, started inquiring about taking additional classes and personal training sessions. The next day however, when my body began feeling the effects of the first day, I realised that 3 times a week was definitely more than sufficient!!! The bootcamp challenged me both physically and mentally. The exercises sometimes looked easy but they were definitely not! The exercises targeted and worked different areas of the body so you get a total workout, which was great! I was thankful that Sarge Gary and Lance Corporal Irene were constantly motivating as that helped me persevere whenever I felt like giving up and helped me achieve my own targets. I am looking forward to my next bootcamp! Hooyah!

-Karima

To Whom It May Concern,

I have recently started training with the Original Bootcamp and it has only taken two weeks to start seeing some results.   I’m four months after having a child and ended up carrying a lot of extra weight, as well as feeling generally unfit and tired.  Since I’ve been training under instructor Gary Wagner, I’ve lost five kilograms (!), am starting to feel fitter and am also shaking off the tiredness I’ve had since the birth.  I’ve found that boot camp has been not only energetic, but also fun, as the sessions are never repeated and the instructor, Gary (Sarge!) keeps everybody feeling upbeat and motivated.  I start boot camp days feeling refreshed and ready to tackle life’s challenges. I can’t wait to see the new me at the end of boot camp.  HOOYAH!

Yours sincerely,

-Marion Anderson
Registered Nurse

Wow! I love bootcamp. Never thought I'd say that. The last session in January proved to be the hardest I have ever pushed myself. The course was more challenging both physically and mentally then the Police Entrance Exam.  Maybe they need to talk to Sarge. Awesome results and I'm feeling it working already. Hooyah!

Thanks mate

-Chels

Jason L. Accountant

"Gary is one of the most motivating individuals I have ever seen. He consistantly pushes me to work harder when attending Boot Camp. I have achieved results that I would never have thought possible and I have Gary to thank for that."

Training Year first hired: 2007 (Return Recruit) Top Qualities: Great Results, Personable, High Integrity

Kath Silleri, Manager, Consumer Interests, Australian Communication and Media Authority

I have been attending Boot Camp for close to 4 months.  I was reasonably fit before starting, but Boot Camp has taken me to a whole new level.  My main exercise of choice was running, which tends to be a rather solitary experience and I do find it gets lonely.  Also, the older I get the more I find that I need to vary what I do…the old bones can’t take the continual pounding of running.  In the past I would normally have chosen a team sport or gym membership as an alternative to running, but the risk of injury can be high and sometimes it is hard to find a team that suits my timetable and I find the gym boring and expensive. Then I discovered boot camp…just like team sport …only better!  It sounds crazy and you probably won’t believe me when I say it but Boot Camp is the best fun I’ve had in public in a long time.  I especially love the wet and muddy nights (just think GI Jane, but maybe not quite as glamorous!) I was nervous at first (and assessment night still makes me feel like a schoolkid before sports day) but Sarge and Corporal made me feel so welcome and provide just the right level of encouragement to make sure I’m not slacking off. An added bonus is the camaraderie with other recruits.  We encourage each other and have an absolute ball at the same time. It is fantastic to see the improvement we have all made.  I am now fitter, stronger and faster and most importantly I’m having a lot more fun.

Claire Kowarsky - Creative Services

Well Sarge what can I say but thank you! I've been coming to Boot Camp for 2 months now and its become such a great part of my life. I thought I was reasonably fit before I started, but I realised I had a long way to go when we had the first fitness assessment. In just one month, my scores on the assessment nearly doubled. Within a month I could notice a change in the shape of my shoulders and arms, which was persuasive enough evidence to encourage my boyfriend to sign up too!  Now he's a convert and loves it too! The best part is that no two classes are ever the same, so its never boring. Its also pretty magical being able to watch the sun come up in the morning. The atmosphere in the group is terrific, everyone is really supportive and fun. 

I'm going to keep coming to Boot Camp for many months to come, as I know it will continue to challenge me and I look forward to continued improvements in my fitness and well-being.

Hooyah!

-Claire