Been There/Done That

Punk Rock Boot Camp

by Monica Weymouth

Every Sun., 10 a.m., $5, Penn Treaty Park, 1200 N. Delaware Ave.; every Mon., Wed. and Fri., 6:30 a.m., $10, Penn's Landing, Columbus Blvd. and Chestnut St., www.PunkRockBootCamp.com

The closest thing to "punk" about me is the Blink-182 CD I bought in seventh grade. That was about the last time I ran more than 10 feet. So when I showed up to Punk Rock Boot Camp — a DIY fitness program by local trainer Brian Adoff — I was shaking in the running shoes I borrowed from my sister.

Unlike most workout classes, PRBC skips the dreaded gym for the outdoors. I joined about 20 other campers (some toned and pierced, some more like myself) for warm-up stretches by the water at Penn Treaty Park. Immediately, I was comforted by the playful arm circles, jumping jacks and spunky soundtrack. After that, it was time to loosen up with a rigorous game of group tag, followed by crab walks and bear crawls. "Loosen up!" barked Adoff. "Remember what it was like to be a kid!" Eventually, it was time for lunges, crunches and yoga-inspired moves that weren't part of middle school gym class. Although some fit friends easily threw tattooed legs over their shoulders, there was plenty of instruction and support for the less flexible. More than skill, the workout focused on techniques, breathing and relaxation in the intimidating face of fitness.

After 45 minutes of laughing, sweating and swearing, I decided there was nothing to be afraid of. (It would be another day until the soreness set in.) While the goal of PRBC is to burn fat and tone muscle, the process is fun and silly. "A lot of people want to get in shape but don't know where to start," says Adoff. "I want to take the New Age out of it."