Boot camp challenge

When: Mondays and Wednesdays, from 9 to 10 a.m.

Where: Lacamas Lake Lodge, 227 N.E. Lake Road, in Camas

How much: Cost is $10 per class or $65 for an eight session package.

Sign Up: Visit register.cityofcamas.us, or call 834-5307

Active and fit most of her life, after the birth of her second child Anna Stephens had some trouble getting back into the swing of things.

“I just couldn’t lose the weight,” she said.

So Stephens decided get serious and hire a personal trainer. It was a decision that would end up having a major impact on her life.

“She basically transformed my whole life,” Stephens said. “I wanted to give that to other people.”

Since becoming an ISSA certified personal trainer in 2009, Stephens said that’s exactly what she has strived to do each day.

“It’s hard for many of us to motivate ourselves,” she said. “We need motivation — someone to push us.”

Stephens offers one-on-one training sessions, and is also currently leading group personal training sessions through Camas Parks and Recreation. The metabolic conditioning class meets twice a week at Lacamas Lake Lodge. It combines cardiovascular and strength training using tools ranging from resistance bands, a punching bag and balance balls, to free weights and good old fashioned body weight resistance.

“You want a good mix of cardio and weight training for overall heath and fitness,” Stephens said.

The class can be tailored to a variety of skill and fitness levels.

When Camas resident Stephanie Lowery began taking the class, she hadn’t worked out in four years. The mother of three had all of her children within a three-year period and was ready to get back into shape, and do something for herself.

Lowery, 35, was apprehensive about what to expect from the class, at first.

“I was really intimidated,” she said. “But Anna is so friendly. This class has just built up my confidence.”

Lowery takes the class twice a week. It’s a time when she can step away from her responsibilities as a mother and wife.

“This is my two hours a week that I get all to myself,” she said. “It’s definitely my getaway, my break.”

Lindsy Palisca, 31, is a physical therapist with Therapeutic Associates Physical Therapy in Camas. She took the class for the first time in June, which enables Palisca to build a list of classes she can recommend to her patients.

“It was awesome,” she said of Stephens’ metabolic conditioning class. “She seems knowledgable does good core and metabolic exercises, and she’s able to tell her students how to modify them for different (medical) issues.”

Krissy Barlow, of Washougal, started taking the multi-circuit class as a new challenge to go along with a yoga class she’s also enrolled in.

“So far I’ve lost 3 inches in my waist, and I’m much more toned,” she said.

The classes continue this summer. Stephens said she plans to take advantage of the warmer weather by taking the class outside to the nearby Heritage Park.

“I like to change it up so people don’t get bored,” she said. “For the summer session, I want to make it crazy. We’ll use the swing sets and other park equipment, and maybe even the Lacamas Trail.”