May 6

Boot camp kicks off Sunday at Maple Leaf Park

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Just in time for swimsuit season, the boot camp participants who leap and lunge around Maple Leaf Park are back at it.

“It’s really motivating because you’re in a group setting and everyone kind of pushes each other,” says Emerald City Fitness owner and Maple Leaf resident Katie Pytlik, who kicks off her 12-week Get Fit For Summer boot camp at 9 a.m. Sunday, May 16.

The hourlong class is a combination of cardio – such as jumping jacks and high knees – and strength-training, usually ending with a serious burst of cardio and some core work. But with her clients ranging from teenagers to 50-somethings, she says that there are modifications for every exercise that can make them either more difficult or easier for participants.

“Every class is different from the last one,” she adds.

And if that hour of workout isn’t enough for you, Pytlik has added a new 30-minute “Core Blast” Pilates session directly following the boot camp.

Although Pytlik, who has a degree in fashion merchandising from the University of Delaware, wasn’t always on the path of a group fitness instructor, she’s always been a fitness nut. After graduating from college, she decided to take her time figuring out what she wanted to do and spent two years traveling and living abroad. Then she made up her mind to become a fitness instructor.

“It had become such a big part of my lifestyle, so it just kind of made sense,” she says. “Every city I was in, I ran.”

It still took her some time to lose the traveling bug, though. But after driving across the country from her home state of Virginia, she ended up in Seattle two years ago to visit a friend. Six months later, she moved to Maple Leaf.

“I really like this neighborhood,” Pytlik says. “It’s been really good to me.”

But just living in the neighborhood wasn’t enough, so Pytlik also became one of the original staff members of Hudson New American Public House when it opened last year. And from there, her boot camp just kept growing through word of mouth.

“I love fitness and physical education and working really hard,” Pytlik says, “but I like it to supplement an enjoyable lifestyle.

“My motto is: Fitness for those who like to eat and drink.”

In addition to the services she provides through Emerald City Fitness, which include personal training sessions, Pytlik also has been teaching group fitness classes at area gyms, including Pilates, spinning, group strength training, weight training and body pump. She recently started working full-time as a personal trainer at Gold’s Gym in Capitol Hill.

Boot camp meets at the north gate of Maple Leaf Park, 1020 NE 82nd St. Stop by if you’d like to check it out or send Pytlik an e-mail for more information at emeraldcityfitness@hotmail.com.

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