Baby Bootcamp

Baby Bootcamp is a franchise with regular workouts in several locations in the Bay Area. I am a long-​time regular at the Noe Valley camp, which is located in the basketball courts by the park on 24^th St. Classes are held once daily except for Sundays, rain or shine.
I love it for so many reasons! Let me expound… During both of my maternity leaves, going to class was a milestone in both regaining fitness and regaining a life – it’s a really good practice to get dressed and out of the house with an infant. It’s a LIFESAVER and a rarity to be able to bring the baby along to exercise.
I am back to work now but still attend class on Saturdays. (Love that they have packages suitable for working moms who can’t make the weekday classes.)
The format is classic bootcamp: cardio intervals, strength work (either with body weight or bands), and abs. Just for kicks we are often sent to run up the stairs on Elizabeth St. all the way up to the aptly named Grand View Ave. (The instructor watches the kids.) The workouts vary and you can always take a break to deal with a fractious baby.
HIGHLIGHTS:
— Kathleen and the other instructors are all great – well-​versed in fitness techniques, especially for new moms. Kathleen is the honorary mayor of Noe Valley. She somehow remembers everyone’s names, is tough but encouraging, and is a wealth of advice on workarounds for mom-​related ailments (abdominal splits, wrist problems, etc).
— The social aspect is key for getting me to class and keeping me going. The participants are friendly, and often end up at Philz afterwards for a cup of coffee. It’s also good socializing for the kids. Babies enjoy the fresh air and toddlers have impromptu play dates.
— Exercising outside is so motivating. Except when a 37-​week pregnant woman beats me up the)#*&%#@ hill.

Well, it should maybe be called Baby Sleep Camp, cause that’s what you’re hoping for while you work out.
You: jumping and lunging and sweating and getting fresh air
Baby: hopefully snoozing away in the stroller
Your baby weight: whisked away in way less time than it would take you «working out» at home (aka doing push-​ups between commercials. .. not the same at all).
Baby: maybe awake and fussing, but he’s not the only one and other moms or the instructor will help out by cooing or singing to him while you keep on sweating and pushing.
Leslie: favorite instructor at the Noe Courts location — she’s tough and sassy while making you feel like a diva at the same time. Fave quote: «Sweat is just your fat crying.»
BBC was a huge part of helping me lose the baby weight within 5 months (coupled with swimming and my own home regiment). Add in the moms’ group factor, and you have a really winning combo. It’s pricey if you pay piecemeal, class by class, but a great deal if you just commit to a certain # of classes or do the monthly unlimited pass. So step up and do yourself a favor. Your body will thank you for it, and honestly it’ll help you keep up with your little one too.

Love it! Great class! Challenging but not intimidating and full of super friendly moms. I highly recommend it!

Obsessed! This is honestly one of the best workouts that I have ever had. The instructors are fierce and fun! Kathleen and Leslie are awesome trainers that push you to be the best you can be but make the workout enjoyable. It is a great workout for moms and it is so nice to be able to bring your babies, (and they can cry and no one cares:)) get an awesome workout and enjoy the beautiful sun! I have felt an immense amount of transformation mentally and physically bc of the bootcamp. And I have loved all of the mothers I have had the opportunity to meet. For all you moms
Out there-​Come on out and have some fun!

This class has been my favorite post-​baby work out! I started going to Baby Bootcamp with Kathleen when my son was about 3 months old. As someone who was used to working out 5 – 6 days per week, adjusting to the challenge of finding time to work out and be a mom was tough. But this class has been my savior. Kathleen leads a great workout each morning and is awesome at helping push your stroller if your baby is crying so you can get the most out of your workout. And because it is a class of all moms, everyone understands if you show up late and no one cares if your baby is crying. It is a work-​out class but a nice community of moms as well. I absolutely recommend this class. I am finally starting to be able to wear my pre-​pregnancy clothes again and this class has definitely been one of the reasons why.

Noe Valley Bootcamp has been awesome! It’s a great way to get out of the house with your little one, be able to work out, and meet other moms. I highly recommend bootcamp to all new moms!

I cannot imagine my maternity leave without baby bootcamp. Not only am I four lbs. away from my pre-​pregnancy weight with a four month old, but I get out of the house everyday with my little one and spend time outside with other moms. Kathleen is amazing and knows exactly what we need and how our body changes during pregnancy. Cannot recommend this for new moms enough.

I was worried about working out again after I had my little one, and the Baby Boot Camp group of moms and Kathleen were so encouraging and welcoming! At 7 weeks postpartum my body just doesn’t feel like my own. It is so nice to hear that other moms have gone through the same frustrations, and their encouragement is so comforting. I felt like I really got to get a workout in because Kathleen is so helpful with the little ones that I was not distracted. She also encourages you to do your very best and make sure you are working hard – I’m sore today! The class is tailored toward any fitness level so I didn’t feel discouraged by taking on a workout class after being away for so long. I highly recommend this class!

I absolutely love Baby Boot Camp and Kathleen is a fabulous instructor. I was able to get back in shape after both pregnancies and even kept up a healthy fitness routine during my second pregnancy, which I think helped a lot during labor. Baby Boot Camp is perfect for newbies and for those who are looking for a really challenging workout. Kathleen is great at making the class work for every individual. She comes up with new routines every day/​week and always surprises me with new and challenging exercises, even after 3 years of being a Baby Boot Camp attendee. Besides the great workout, I love Baby Boot Camp because I get to workout outside, meet other moms, make great friends, bring my baby (Kathleen is a super stroller jiggler and baby holder), and just do something for myself each day. Hope to see you at South Beach or Noe Valley!

I have a gym membership still in effect but let’s face it, since the arrival of my little guy last fall I just don’t have the time anymore. Enter Baby Boot Camp — part mom’s group, part playgroup, all great workout! Kathleen’s a slave driver, but in that good way that makes you feel like you’ve really earned those fries with your dinner. I would highly recommend this group to all moms!

Baby Bootcamp is a wonderful way to get back into shape and spend time with your baby or preschooler. It’s almost like a play date, but you are doing something great for yourself. I look forward to my workout sessions two to three times a week and it has definitely helped me slim down after my second baby. Socialize with other moms, get a great workout and spend time with your babies, you can’t go wrong.