Workout on the Hill

I do Workout on the Hill, but I’ve also done personal training with Elaine. I can’t recommend either highly enough.
Elaine knows the human body extremely well. Unlike other coaches/​trainers, she WANTS you to communicate with her so she knows exactly where you are and how your body’s doing. She’s extremely attentive to both ensure you’re doing the exercises correctly to avoid injury and to make the most of everything.
It’s really invigorating and fun to be outside in the mornings. Workout on the Hill is really efficient and you get a total body workout every time, although each class has a focus. Mondays are more cardio-​oriented, Wednesdays work your arms and legs, and Fridays are more for core. But you’ll finish every workout just feeling worked in a really great way.
As others have noted, it’s not the kind of «bootcamp» that people dive into sporadically. It happens to be in the morning, outdoors and with an awesome coach — and those tend to be labeled as bootcamps. Bottom line — it’s awesome, Coach Elaine customizes each exercise for your fitness level, and it’ll be the best 45 minutes of your day!

Bootcamp is just a term for group, morning, directed exercise. Let’s break it down.
1. Most days, it’s 4 – 8 of us doing workouts together. There’s probably a dozen regulars in the early timeslot, men and women, and college to 60s ages. It’s a friendly group, but not chatty, which is just right for me. Nobody’s trying to be a looker or show-​off, we’re all there for health.
2. Our workouts always make it worthwhile to get out of bed. A lot of my friends are astonished at my morning workouts, but after work means relaxation (or more coding) for me. I roll out of bed at 6:10 for the 6:30 session, and because it’s become a habit, I don’t even think about it. It’s helped me stick with the program over many months. I have more energy during the day, my evenings are free, and I drink less beer in preparation. Bernal has clean, still air in the AM, great views, and doesn’t small like gym disinfectant.
3. Coach Elaine is encouraging and patient while directing classes. She tells you what to do, often in different ways depending on your skill /​energy level. I used to lift weights and do treadmill in college vanity years, but frankly, the broad range of activity I get at WOTH has led to a body which feels considerably more healthy overall. Even though she’s consistently upbeat and energetic, Elaine isn’t a cheerleader — she’s good at sensing the pulse of the class, pushing us, and recognizing accomplishment — but she’s never frivolous or vapidly perky (you know what I mean). She’s studied anatomy and movement a great deal and understands my body better than I do. So she tells me what to do, I do it, and I get stronger every week. Elaine also does other types of wellness coaching and has helped me press the reset button when I’ve needed it.
Wholehearted thumbs up!

I’m a 3-​year veteran of this program. It gets me up and going in the morning in a way my various indoor gym memberships never did. Coach Elaine Williams creates a dynamic and enjoyable 45-​minute choreography using weights, TRX, stretch bands from her bin and employing the rails, steps, fences and play structures of Holly Park. Great to be a grown-​up back in a playground!
Elaine focuses on correct form and technique so you get maximum value from each exercise and don’t injure yourself. She leads the group, fosters camaraderie, yet manages to give personal attention to each of us.
You leave the class feeling powerful and empowered with the sophisticated knowledge about your body that Elaine imparts. You seek out real-​life functional opportunities to try things you have learned — yanking weeds in the garden, swinging a baseball bat, lifting a box spring upstairs, adopting good posture while you wait for the bus. Thanks, Elaine.

Joining Workout on the Hill has been the best thing I’ve done for myself in years. Attending on a regular basis serves as the most effective (and healthy) prescription to reduce daily work + life stress. Coach Elaine is an supreme enthusiastic motivator who mixes up the sessions to keep us all interested and focused on different core areas for improvement whether it’s cardio, weight training or basic stretches. Elaine provides different skill levels for each exercise, so anyone can participate and feel challenged. After nearly a year of regular attendance, my fitness levels have taken a giant leap — increasing my strength, flexibility, endurance and the ability to easily hoist my carry-​on luggage into the overhead rack without making any grunting noises. Another huge selling point — it doesn’t take place in a sweaty overcrowded gym, but underneath the eucalyptus trees in Bernal Heights’ lovely Holly Park. Some mornings the biggest incentive for me to roll out of bed and head to the park is the reward of watching the sunrise while doing jumping jacks with a bunch of like-​minded folks from the neighborhood. I can’t imagine a better way to work out!

I joined WOTH with my baby and it was the best thing I did postpartum for my body! I learned so much from Elaine about fitness and what I did with my posture and carrying the baby that caused my neck pain to get worse. It was great to work out in the fresh air and sunshine and we got so much personal attention.
Elaine is super upbeat, works you at just your level, and is sweet and fun with the babies! I highly recommend WOTH for everyone, with babies or without.

Working out with this group three days a week under the expert and inspirational instruction of Coach Elaine is the single most beneficial thing I do for myself. It’s a great way to start the day, and after about 3 weeks it’s an addiction. Elaine offers modifications to challenge those who are extrememly fit, as well as suggestions for those of us who struggle with less endurance or back pain. Every class is different, so it doesn’t get boring.
Elaine really stresses proper technique, and is very aware of good form to develop correct alignment and injury prevention. All the coaches I’ve met at Workout on the Hill have been very well qualified and supportive. The participants are a diverse group of very nice people, it has a great Bernal neighborhood feeling. If you are even thinking about trying it, come and check it out.

If there was a swimming pool in Bernal Heights I’d cancel my gym membership.
I recently started attending Workout on the Hill several days a week and I am loving it. The current instructor, Elaine, is as good as it gets. She’s energetic, extremely knowledgeable, and positive without being too perky. People of all ages and fitness levels come to the classes, and she has no problem leading a workout that is challenging for everyone. On several occasions I’ve had sore muscles for days afterwards.
She has something like a million certifications, so I can’t afford to see her in one on one sessions. But honestly, if your trainer is good enough it shouldn’t matter much whether you’re seeing them in a personal or group setting. I’m so glad that this group workout exists to give me access to a true professional at a price that won’t eventually deter me from exercising.
If you’ve even been considering coming, like I talked about doing for years (literally), you should just do it. Your first workout is free.

Just get your butt out of bed and soon that same butt will fit into those jeans packed in storage.

I must update my review of Workout on the Hill, because things just keep getting better! The addition of Carey and Ross as trainers has been fantastic. I thoroughly enjoy their unique training styles, each day is different so there is no way I can get bored! I have been consistently participating for almost 6 months and plan to continue through the upcoming winter (that will be fun!) I love the outdoor setting where the singing birds in the trees offset my pleas for mercy. If you are looking for the perfect workout without all the trappings of a gym, this is it!

Quit your gym, get off the couch, this is the most fun workout ever! So many reasons to come: Plenty of parking, walk if you live in Bernal/​Noe/​Glen Park, 3 great coaches, individual attention, 5 days a week, adjusted for any level of fitness, different workout every time, lots of fun gear to mix it up, works out the core + cardio, coaches are excellent — each focuses on something new, never the same class twice, never boring, YOU ARE OUTDOORS! it’s gorgeous. This is not a «bootcamp» but more like summer camp. You get so much value for your money. What are you waiting for?

I also just survived Workout on the Hill with Carey Rockland at 6:15am in Holly Park and it was AWESOME! I was hesitant about the enjoyment I would get out of getting up so early in the morning to exercise, but it was so much better than I expected. Workout on the Hill has an added format on Tuesday and Thursdays that includes a circuit training structure. The variety of the exercise is so much fun.
I’ve only ever experienced circuit training at a gym where the instructor pushes you to uncomfortable limits, but Carey is different. She challenges you to work hard, but comes from a place of encouragement and care.
If you like variety in your workout, try this class! Just the equipment alone is cool. Sandbags, ab rollers, heavy ropes, TRX bands, cones, jump ropes and heavy medicine balls.
Workout on the Hill is now offered Monday — Friday.
Hope to see you there!

Looking for something new or simply need a kick in the butt, then you might like this. I am an athletic person. Run everyday, spin class 2x a week, combined with rock climbing and racing motorcycles. You get the picture. I’ve been doing this for at least 10 years and like to interject something new into my workout.
Workout On the Hill helps me with that. I am outside at the break of dawn, while the rest of the world is still asleep. We spend about an hour on core exercises which is definitely my weak spot. I love to work out but am not diligent enough to spend a hour doing core. This is perfect supplement to my routine.
New owner, Coach Elaine is good (never met Charlotte). Her style is warm, honest and motivating. She truly is focused on helping people achieve their goals and offers different exercises depending on fitness level.
Sessions are in 4 week and 6 week increments, plus there are men and women in the group. If 6am is too early for you, she has a 9am session too. Check it out!

I hadn’t done a sit-​up since my teenage son was born or a push-​up since the 80’s! I’m still working on losing some weight, but I am strong, have muscle tone that had been missing for years and feel great!
Charlotte is an amazing coach… provides a challenging workout for all levels. Pushes you without being mean. And I love being outdoors in Bernal rather than sharing sweaty machines in a smelly gym.

I have been struggling with working out and dieting for the last 10 years. Coach Charlotte has taught me so much. Now I know I just wasn’t working out enough – and correctly. I have lost almost two sized and now LOVE working out – I kow, crazy, huh? And this is a girl who was addicted to eating tons of soup on the couch. Everyone says I look great. I’m never quitting Coach Charlotte. I don’t even care about the 6:15 start time … once you start doing it, it’s easy.

As a former intercollegiate athlete I am always searching for fitness programs that are both challenging and fulfilling. Charlotte’s Workout on the Hill is the best reasons for getting up earlier to ignite my day.
A combination of Cardio, Yoga, Pilates, and Weight Training gives me a comprehensive fitness program and enjoyment. The atmosphere is supportive and fun. I highly recommend Work out on the Hill for the various levels of fitness enthusiasts. This will be my forth year and it is still fresh and new.

Simply the best outdoor boot camp or workout in San Francisco, as I have tried at least five in the past. Coach Charlotte’s fast pace and contagious positive energy make my day three times a week. Combined with inspirational words to live by, Charlotte Williams takes about 15 – 20 (mostly women) on a exercise challenge that never disappoints.
The students range from super fit to women like me, great walker who tries to step it up, to the unfit. Still, no one is left behind and everyone gets a great workout as I am in the best shape ever. Being on top of a Bernal Heights hill is awesome for getting the fitness bootcamp workout. Worth a try, first time free and in Bernal Heights overlooking beautiful views!

I have been doing Workout on the Hill off and on for almost 3 years. I keep coming back because it works. I love the fact that I can just show up and let Coach Charlotte tell me what to do. It’s only an hour long but not a minute is wasted. The heart rate stays up, the muscles stay busy and the calories get burned.
Charlotte creates a positive environment that is adaptable for everyone. In April 08 she is starting a Mom/​Baby workout as well as an evening workout for those who can’t make it in the morning.

I was searching for a gym nearby as I am recovering from a massively broken ankle and had lost self-​motivation at a crucial time. I don’t like gyms, but they are a useful resource at times. I needed something to get me moving past simple use of the foot again, to being able to run and jump and play once more. I found Coach Charlotte here on Unilocal,and was impressed with the idea of working outdoors and having a set time that would push me to actually go. To be honest, I didn’t believe I would stick to it, as I’ve never been much for group exercise.
I liked Charlotte from day one. So I signed on and to my surprise I have just completed the 6 week session, missing only one of the 3 day per week workouts. I can’t say enough good things about the group. Charlotte has a good sense of each person’s limits and abilities and pushes everyone to work at their full potential, while keeping it fun. My personal goal was to be able to run again by the end, and she helped me get there before I even realized it. The group dynamic helped me to get over the common fears that arise when recovering from an injury. I feel confident and strong. Who wouldn’t want that?

Fantastic.
that really sums it up. Coach Charlotte is amazing. She changes the workout everyday so 1. you are not board and 2. your ass gets properly kicked every day (in a good way).
Also (for general plug reasons) she accommodates all fitness levels. you can walk or run. She supports a non competitive environment and helps you set goals.
She is the only person I will show up for at 6:15 am. and for those who refuse to do that she has a 9 am class also.

I go out of my way to join Charlotte and her workout on the hill. I have lost weight, gained muscle, lost fat, and actually look forward to exercise — especially the «it» being over part. Her team includes deconditioned and conditioned fitness levels and she changes what we do every day — incorporating the park in ways that are innovative and effective. She has a warm, professional, personal approach and it works! This is an amazing way to get and stay motivated to take care of your health with other people in the outdoors!