Three mornings each week in different locations throughout the Kennebunks, you will find groups of people working out. But this is no ordinary workout session. Caroline Fitzgerald whips the bums of visitors and locals alike on the beautiful beaches of Southern Maine. A true fitness fanatic, she tailors her program so that it matches individual fitness levels and alters exercises for those with physical ailments.
My mother encouraged me, an avid exerciser, to join Caroline at Get Out There! Fitness. She warned me that it was an intense session, but I wanted to see for myself.
I joined Caroline and about 25 other women, ranging in age from teens to late adulthood, at Narragansett Point in Kennebunk. We all grabbed mats and, after a very short warm-up jog, broke up into groups of three. The day’s workout was a circuit, with rest built in while your teammates performed their portions of the exercises. Healthy competition between groups added spice to what most certainly would have been a dull workout on my own. My group consisted of a middle-aged mother, a high school student trying to get in shape for her fall sport, and myself. Caroline created humorous names for the exercises, making the oodles of push-up seem better than they otherwise would have been.
At the end of the 45-minute session, my muscles were fatigued. They burned during the sets, but ample rest gave me time to recover. I decided to go for a quick four mile run afterwards, as I didn’t feel like I had gotten quite enough of an aerobic workout, but about three miles in regretted that choice. While aerobically I was cruisin’, my muscles were tired, and I plodded – trudged, even – through the last mile. I felt great the next day, with the exception of a sore behind.
Overall, I thought the experience was great and have encouraged guests of the Maine Stay looking for a way to burn off indulgent dinners to attend. I don’t think anyone has gone yet, but I hope they do! It is a great workout for those of all ages and fitness levels.
Bottom Line: Hit beach boot camp early, enjoy an indulgent breakfast at the Maine Stay Inn, and return for a relaxing day at the beach – guilt free!
Johanna Hauer
The Maine Stay Inn and Cottages, where “we have the nicest guests!”
