Laguna Niguel's Extreme Bootcamp staff.

When most of us hear about boot camp, images of scary drill sergeants with whistles and no mercy are conjured up in our heads. Extreme Boot Camp, however, has a slightly different take on the idea. They forget intimidation and focus instead on motivating all of their clients, of any fitness level and any age, to obtain extreme results.

The owner of Laguna Niguel’s Extreme Boot Camp, Sofee, couldn’t be more sweet. As a 25-year-old entrepreneur with plenty of experience as a personal training and at gyms, she has the background experience, knowledge, and warm personality necessary to inspire people into shape – without using a whip.

Extreme Boot Camp is a six-week program that means every weekday in the great outdoors (at parks and schools around the area by permit) to give its participants a chance to enjoy the fresh air (and avoid hefty gym membership costs) while getting a great group workout experience. The program is designed for people of all fitness levels, so you can benefit whether you’re a fitness guru, just starting out, or attempting to get your old-time vigor back.

The program, true to its name, really has delivered extreme results. As Sofee says, “It really is the greatest thing,” and people have lost from 30 pounds to 12-13 inches off their belts, in addition to drastically shortening their mile times and increasing their physical strength and exercise ability.

The program includes calisthenics, running, agility exercises and nutritional consultation. Most participants begin either to lose weight or to get ready for a big event (a wedding or the like). Many participants come back and refer friends after completing the program because it is such a good time. “We have a lot of fun out there,” Sofee says.

I asked Sofee what her advice is to people who are scared off by the name. “Just come out and try it,” she says. She’ll let you try out a class for free to get the experience, and her right now she’s offering economically-friendly lowered rates.

The program is enjoying great success in town, with classes running from 5:30 am and on and some in the evenings and during the day. Sofee is hoping to begin a new children’s program at local schools.

“I owe so much to my instructors,” Sofee says. “They’re awesome, and the core of the program.” Come experience Extreme Boot Camp for yourself, get an idea of what these motivating instructors do, and change the way your body looks and feels. Check them out at http://www.extremebootcamp.com/lagunaniguel/home.html.