It's 5:30 a.m. in South Surrey, and Survivor Bootcamp is waking you up and urging you to get out and stay active as summer ends.
The exercise company, which has franchises based in White Rock/South Surrey and Surrey, has recently launched their "Abs Transformation" contest, also known as "six weeks for a six-pack."
Classes started on September 20 and last for six weeks. They go on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, starting at 5:30 and 6:00 a.m.
"When you think summer, (you think) that's when people come out and work out, but people are away a lot," said Survivor Bootcamp trainer Janice Hamanishi. "September, when it's big and hits, everybody's back into the grind, they want to do something, want to look good at Christmas, so they come out."
While the Abs Transformation classes are already underway, Survivor Bootcamp focuses heavily on the rest of their programs. They have other quick-hit offerings – like the abs contest – such as the 21-day weight loss challenge or a 14/30 cleanse challenge.
They also offer their traditional bootcamps, which go two, three or five times a week – depending on your commitment and preference.
Chris Anderson, co-owner of the South Surrey/White Rock and Surrey locations, said the arrival of fall always spurs people to get out and stay fit, even as they add more layers.
"No one's wearing a bathing suit anymore, " he said. "Holidays are over and all that kind of stuff, which also starts that new next fear factor with all the parties coming up now, (like) Thanksgiving, Christmas especially is a big one."
Hamanishi may be a trainer now but she started with Survivor Bootcamp as a client, and she knows from personal experience how hard it is to stay committed to such an intense program.
"It is so, so easy to give up, especially on wet days like today," she said, standing under an awning at Morgan Elementary in South Surrey. "But, you make yourself come out and you feel so great about it at the end."