Mike’s Boot Camp

Mike and the 6am group were beyond great on my first day. Horribly out of shape, I was ready to give up as I slowly walked (and sat down at one point) up the steepest part of 24^th Street, figuring the group was long gone. At the top yells Mike «Come on Amy — this is the last hill! You can make it!» He waited for me and ran with me back to the starting point, where I was met with encouraging words from other group members. It doesn’t get better than that! I needed this kick in the butt and the encouragement to get back in shape!

I joined Mike’s Boot Camp last November and continue to love it, with a side of «AAAAUGH THIS IS SO HARD WHY AM I DOING THISSSSS» for the first 30 – 40 minutes of each workout. Mike’s good-​natured jokes and morning-​person energy will keep you coming to the group even though he’s making you do things like sprint up the steepest street in the city at 7 on a Monday morning or do tricep pushups in a parking lot full of amused commuters. The route is always different, the other runners are always friendly (even if you’re a newbie like me) and the San Francisco views are always spectacular.
When Mike says «rain or shine» he means it – I’ve done a whole hour in the pouring rain, although I freely admit to staying in bed when the weather’s just too bad — but he adapts his workouts to the weather and the people who attend. We generally cover about 3 – 4 miles during the hour-​long class, with lots of stops for pushups, situps and squats.
The pace is challenging but you will definitely feel yourself getting stronger immediately, even if you’re one of the slowest ones in the class (raises hand). And the daily gauntlet of hills and stairs makes «normal» flat runs a cinch: Bay to Breakers this year felt like a walk in the park. (Hayes Street Hill? You call yourself a hill? Ha!)

Absolutely Great Challenge! And beautiful views of the city along the way! Thanks Mike:)

Mike’s Bootcamp = So freaking fantastic.
A few months ago a friend and i said we’d sample all the SF bootcamps and pick the best one to join. First we tried Mike’s…and didn’t bother with the rest.
It’s so great to get up early, get all the fresh air, explore hidden parts of the city, strength train hills on benches, curbs, playgrounds, each other, everything about it feels so natural compared to being in a gym.
The people are all ways so nice and funny that i get through a ridiculously tough workout having had a great time with a diverse set of kind active people.
Mike keeps the routine varied, and challenging, while also accommodating all skill levels.
I hate being so cliché as to give Mike the same review as everyone else here, but! Anything else would be an understatement.

Sadly there comes a time in everyones fitness régime when nature and destiny collide. Mine was April 2008. And the hardest thing is not that I can not run anymore, it’s more a case of I miss Mike’s unique style of motivation which is a great work out that feels like a social gathering.
We ran hills, and then flats that ended in hills, followed by exercises on street corners, followed by hills or flats. All the time enjoying Mike’s zany take on anything from Star Wars to Da Bears. What better way to pass 7AM to 8AM than getting fit and laughing.

Nothing beats running the hills of Mission Dolores at 6 am, doing push ups on the curb, pull-​ups on playgrounds, and squats on a tennis court. Mike’s classes are awesome — my trips with them to the top of the hills to watch the sun come up in SF made me love this city even more. Each group has its own personality — and everyone in the group is so, so nice. And they will most definitely push you beyond your limits in a good way.

Yes, I have been in the cult of Mike for nearly 5 years. I am so deep in the cult I actually asked him to run a boot camp the morning of my wedding. He said his main job was to tire me out so I couldn’t run away. But actually, I have come so much to depend on working all the stresses of a week out through boot camp that the idea of taking on the nerves of a wedding on my own was terrifying. Not to mention that after 4 plus years Mike is really a close friend more than a trainer and my wife and I both wanted him there. I think most people who are in his classes think of him as more than a trainer. And that’s saying a lot considering the main time we see him is at an ungodly hour of the morning when he’s making us run up Twin Peaks backwards while somehow simultaneously doing pushups.
Seriously, not to speak too vehemently, but this guy changed my life. Not just physically but mentally. The first time you crest Twin Peaks with this good group of folks he’s gathered around him, trust me, you’ll never be the same.
A few pieces of advice if you come, that will minimize your pain…
1. Don’t badmouth Da Bears
2. Never say «Hunh, is that it?»
Otherwise you’ll have a great time and not even notice that your body is changing right in front of your eyes!

This is the best workout! Mike is a great leader and everyone in the class is friendly and encouraging. You feel like you are part of a really good thing when you join the group. The workout is a really amazing way to spend an hour. I would never run as far if I was not doing Boot Camp. Mike is very motivating and knows tons of routes throughout the city. You will not get bored with this workout!

This class is fantastic. I can personally attest to the fact that it is for all levels. When I asked Mike if I should return (in terrible shape after a 3-​year break from this class and most exercise and another baby) or get in better shape first, he told me to come back right away and I’d go at my own pace. I do go at my own pace and catch up to the group as they are doing the strength training we do every few blocks. Mike is super encouraging, as is everyone in the class. I’m still at the back of the pack, but can feel myself getting stronger and faster every day.
If you show up grouchy and tired, you will be snapped out of your haze by a vigorous workout and Mike’s cheery disposition. Get home and you’ve already exercised for an hour by the time you would otherwise just be getting out of bed. Can’t beat that.

not to heap praise upon praise, but like, for serious, did you know you had triceps? I did not know that these muscles existed; further, i thought any workout involving using these muscles must be bogus, and yet, here i am, three months later, and i can see my triceps! michelle obama arms, here i come. This is all courtesy of Mike’s Boot Camp and like 700 reps of tricep curls on whatever sidewalk or curb Mike could find. Get a decent pair of running shoes and scratch the water bottle– you’ll drink when he returns you right on time to dolores park.
I hesitiated to even write this; no need for Mike’s boot camp to be more popular. only if you are super cool is it okay if you come.

Mike is so supportive and really gets your bootie moving up those hills! Everyone in the group is very welcoming and there is a variety of levels. The workouts are totally worth the money; personally I would never do this much cardio on my own or even with a personal trainer. You are outside enjoying the different city neighborhoods and feel really rejuvinated after the workout.

Best exercise I’ve ever had. Mike is a wonderful coach and person to spend your mornings with. He’s always positive and keeps you on track — even checks in with you if you miss a few classes. The workouts are different every time and designed to accommodate all levels. I never considered myself a runner before, and now I can’t get enough!

This bootcamp workout gets you out of the house, out of the gym, and one hour goes by before you’re even awake enough to realize that running down hills backwards will cause muscle soreness in two days. Just remember it’s a good feeling to be sore. If you’re looking for a workout that can be as easy or hard as you want to make it, and one that works with any level of fitness… check our Mike’s boot camp. I highly recommend it!

I joined Mike’s Boot Camp just 2 weeks ago and I am already seeing results. I never realized how much I was slacking off when I was working out by myself, but Mike and the wonderful group I run with (7am woo!) push me to new limits I didn’t know my body could handle. Mike keeps it interesting by changing the route & exercises and I am seeing parts of the city I never new existed. The free trial is a great way to try out the class with no obligation. I highly recommend this for people who are looking to shake up their routine and enjoy exercising outdoors.

Before joining boot camp, I belonged to an endless series of gyms that I would go to sporadically, and not really get much benefit out of. Now that I’ve joined boot camp (almost three years ago!), I workout regularly, which is something I’ve never been able to do before for any period of time. Also, before joining I could hardly run around the block and now I find myself running 5,6,7+ miles on our longer Saturday jaunts. Mike is a great instructor and makes sure everyone in the class gets attention and is doing their exercises right and not injuring themselves.
The class is perhaps more running-​oriented than some of the other bootcamps around, but don’t be put off by that if you’re not a runner. I used to hate running and could not imagine doing things we do now. It’s also great way to see the city; even if you’ve been here a while I bet Mike has quite a few hills with beautiful vistas that you haven’t seen yet in his arsenal.

Much like Folgers, the best part of waking up on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays has been Mike’s Bootcamp.
You’ll find a spring in your step, clear those cobwebs out of the attic, and you might even lose that spare tire.
See you at the top of Bernal Heights.

I started Mike’s Bootcamp January 2008. I commute a good half hour in the morning, but it’s worth it. I’ve even quit my gym. It’s a great workout. We have yet to do the same workout or run the same route and I have seen parts of San Francisco I never would have otherwise. Forget the iPhone, Mike has his own personal google maps in his head.
In regards to the «bootcamp» part. Mike would only yell if you are about to head into oncoming traffic. It’s nothing but encouragement and enthusiasm — which can be hard to muster when it’s 7:30 in the morning.
Though, it’s never an easy route. I think Mike’s internal battery might short circuit if we don’t hit a good succession of hills each morning. And luckily for us, there are plenty to be found in any direction from Dolores Park.
Like Mia said, give it a shot. Stick it out for a week and see what you think. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. There is an inherent accountability built into the group. What up –7:00AM! And we laugh or talk almost as much as we sweat.

I love going to Mike’s boot camp! If it wasn’t for Mike and the other great people that are part of the group, I would never exercise! Mike is an inspirational trainer. He’s so positive and I love starting my day with him and the other people in the class. I’ve been going for about a year and a half. Through the class, I’ve gotten to discover so many great places around the city. I created this Unilocal account just so that I could support Mike and the class.
I told Mike that I didn’t run when I joined the class due to a knee injury. I’m amazed that I can actually run after thinking for so long that my running days were over. Words can’t express how much I enjoy the class! :)

Lots of hills, lots of support, lots of cool and interesting people to run and sweat with in the morning or evening. Mike is the tops. Who knew all these stairs existed? Who knew I would ever be able to do this? I’m in my early 40s, so I was definitely the grandma of the group, wore a heart monitor to reassure my husband that I would not drop dead, took hot baths and lots of Advil the first two weeks, but it was fun. I lasted from October until April and we never did the same routine twice, then my schedule changed. Now I am dancing and walking for exercise, but my fitness level is not nearly what it was with this great crew. No ‘tudes, no gym bunnies, just normal people who mostly live in the neighborhood and are going to run with you rain or shine. I miss you guys.

I’m one of those people who joins a gym and buys new running shoes.
Nevermind the working out. Suddenly there is the bathroom to clean, a purse to sew, a file cabinet to dust and organize and vegetables that need to be made into soup before they go bad. And what do you know, I ran out of time and have to leave for work.
Really the only time I ever REALLY consistently worked out was in high school cross country (until the summer I discovered green) and later when I told friends I’d do a Century ride with them. — And I guess during the yoga phase until I got creeped out by all the spandex-​clad eye-​gazing, heart-​holding and sighing.
I was desperate this summer, on the couch, looking toward the return of skin-​tight jeans. I knew I needed something. How did I find you BOOT CAMP?
I don’t really remember now but you’ve changed me.
3 – 4 times we meet in Dolores Park at 6am, 7am or 6:30 pm (and 9 on Saturdays). Mike, the fabulous coach, has devised some torture that leaves us all feeling like ironmen and women an hour later.
Long runs, intervals, stairs, downhill backwards jogs interspersed with crunches, push-​ups, and pull ups (can you see my muscles rippling already?).
It’s like having your own personal coach, it’s like having your own little cross-​country team waiting for you. You don’t have to force yourself to do that 3^rd rep, the group will keep going and you will keep up (and they will wait up)– you don’t have to be in shape to join, it just happens.
Who needs a gym?