Keeping fit in the company of nature

• The boot camp was launched by Wellness Solutions as part of popularising a healthy lifestyle. Some of Kenya’s professional athletes train here.
• Wellness Solutions opted to host its boot camp in Karura Forest to help with the conservation of one of the city’s hidden treasures.
• The boot camp is held every last Saturday of the month for Sh1,000. For individuals, it costs Sh100 to enjoy the forest.
• Serene with different attractions it offers an ideal environment for a work out. Here you will find people using the different trails in the forest for their physical activities walking their dogs, running or walking.
• The fitness boot camp uses different exercises with a variety of styles of fitness, including interval training and strength training, which is designed to push participants harder than they would push themselves.
• Boot camps are gaining popularity in other parts of the world as a physical training programme mainly conducted by fitness experts and in some cases former military personnel.

They are designed to build strength and fitness through a variety of intense group intervals over period of time.

Wellness Solutions opted to host its boot camp in Karura Forest to help with the conservation of one of the city’s hidden treasures.

Serene with different attractions it offers an ideal environment for a work out. Here you will find people using the different trails in the forest for their physical activities walking their dogs, running or walking.

Professional athletes are known to train at Karura. However, best to go with a scout to guide you if new to the trails.

The boot camp was launched by Wellness Solutions as part of popularising a healthy lifestyle. Some of Kenya’s professional athletes train here.

On this Saturday morning we find different groups of people enjoying the trails with many stopping to cheer us on as we make our way back to the base.

Once back, participants break off into four groups. Each group goes through different obstacles set out by Japheth and his team.

These include jumping over and crawling hurdles, stepping up and down different raised objects, and jumping through hoops. It all ends with stretch exercises in pairs.

After two hours of being on your feet, running through the forest, sprinting, crawling and jumping over other people every one was all in agreement “that was a thorough workout,” as they sunk to the ground.

The boot camp is held every last Saturday of the month for Sh1,000. For individuals, it costs Sh100 to enjoy the forest.

pmaina@ke.nationmedia.com