At Shariff Harris’s Tuesday-night boot camp in Central Park, the sounds of a nearby
bagpiper underscore the unpredictable nature of exercising in an open, public space.
The spontaneous “Braveheart” moment and other delightful surprises like it are why class members Erin Gilliam and Lou Amato love coming to Harris’ boot camp after work on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
‘It’s a good way to mix it up, instead of doing the same things at the gym every time.’
“Last week, a family came up to the benches we were working out at and [was] cheering us on,” says Gilliam, 28, a school teacher from the Upper West Side.
“It’s a good way to mix it up, instead of doing the same things at the gym every time,” adds her fiancé, Amato, 28, who works in the financial industry.
Harris, who started his classes in April, is one of countless New York City trainers leading outdoor fitness classes for much cheaper than the popular boutique workouts that cost upward of $35 a pop.
Such workouts don’t offer showers or fancy grooming products, but they do provide some much-needed fresh air. Stacy Berman, who has taught a Central Park boot camp since 1999, says outdoor workouts are more popular than ever.
“On a day when the weather’s good, I see between five and 10 other fitness groups in the park — not strictly boot camps, either. There’s been a proliferation of pilates, yoga, Crossfit — all outside,” she says. “It’s a good way to get personal attention from a certified trainer without paying for one-on-one time.”The city’s Parks Department — which also has its own lineup of outdoor fitness classes — has a few rules for the growing numbers of boot camps: No advertisements are allowed on the premises; no money can be exchanged for services while on park property; permits are required for groups larger than 20; and fitness equipment has to be light enough to be carried in and out, and not tethered to any park property.
At $10 per 45-minute class, Harris’ may be one of the best deals in the borough, but his isn’t the only affordable option for getting sweaty outside in the company and with the motivation of others.
