Mission Fit Camp

i tried mission fit camp a few years back but was going abroad for a while so i didnt get more than a couple of months in. Recently, i decided to get back into an exercise routine and remembered how motivated, strong, and healthy i had felt at camp, so i decided to give it a shot even though i was starting from a very low point.
I’m currently into my fifth week, and i absolutely love it. Each week i feel stronger and more motivated to attend, and since starting i’ve felt my stress and anxiety have really declined. The workouts are always very structured, challenging, and fun. Gwen is amazing, and is always very sweet and encouraging even though i need a lot of help sometimes (I have the worst coordination ever!)
i cant recommend a better space to get in shape, learn something new, and enjoy the outdoors :)

Let me start by saying I was not super in shape, I constantly roller coaster between working out regularly and getting lazy, and have been looking a long time for something to keep me at it. If you are like me, then you really should start here.
Gwen is really great at what she does. The class sizes (at least for me, the 5:15pm class) range anywhere from 8 – 12 people usually. She always gives options if you feel like you need an alternative way to do an exercise due to an injury or you simply feel uncomfortable.
Basically, I love this camp, you dont feel judged, people encourage you on and I feel comfortable. I’ve only finished month 1, but am excited to start my next.

I have always hated working out. I’ve joined gyms but hated going because I didn’t know what muscles I was working on, if I was doing it right, and I always felt out of place. I also had no interest in joining a «boot camp» because having a trainer yell at me is not motivating, it’s just the opposite. Then I found out about Gwen and Mission Fit Camp, and now I am in the best shape I’ve been in in years. Gwen and the other trainers do an awesome job motivating us, changing up the classes from week to week so there is always something new, and providing modifications for those of us who need them due to prior injuries or surgeries. And, an unexpected outcome was meeting some awesome people and developing some great friendships. THANK YOU GWEN and all the trainers at Mission Fit Camp for getting us all in shape and for making it challenging and fun at the same time!

I joined Mission Fit Camp in November after moving back to San Diego, and I am so glad to have found this program! You’re not going to find a better trainer than Gwen — she pushes you to run faster, dig deeper, and lift more to the point where you see results, but without injuries. Each week you build upon previous exercises so you feel comfortable and confident with the movements you are doing. You can tell that Gwen takes the time to thoughtfully plan each day’s workout, and she continues to vary the exercises so you never get bored.
Not only am a feeling stronger and healthier, I have found that my mental wellbeing has improved tremendously. I feel happier, more energized, and am able to deal with stress more effectively. At Mission Fit Camp, you actually WANT to go work out! Missing a day is a bummer, not a break. The trainers are great, and you get to work out with a super supportive and fun group of people of all ages. After 2 rounds (8 weeks) of Fit Camp, I lost 3.5 lbs, 2.5% body fat, and 1.5″ from my waist, improved my mile from 7:39 to 6:54, and feel stronger than ever.

Mission Fit Camp was probably the best choice I’ve made for myself in a long time. It has helped me to change my entire lifestyle in just a few weeks. I feel healthier, have more energy, and have noticed physical differences in my body as well. Gwen motivates each person individually, and the group really helps to push each other too. It’s a great environment, and an awesome program. I’d highly recommend trying it out.

Gwen is a phenomenal trainer. She has a very unique training program that increases in intensity each week for one month and then it starts over to allow several levels of training. She pushes you to your limit without making you feel like you’re receiving orders from drill sergeant. She pays close attention to each individual and shows you what changes are needed to achieve optimal results (she’s very conscious of those with injuries or limitations and provides alternative options as well). She comes up with new work out routines weekly to keep things interesting. She also does a lot of group activities which allows you to work with different partners. Gwen truly knows how to make working out fun and before you know it, the hour is over and you feel great. You’ll definitely see results after one month with Gwen. I recommend going to her classes at least 3 times per week to get the best results if you’re new to working out (that’s what I did and I noticed a difference after one month).

This review is long overdue, but a well-​deserved 5 star! I’ve been working out at Mission Fit Camp with Gwen (trainer and owner) for two years now, and I can honestly say that it has had a HUGE impact on my life by helping me get to a healthy weight and have a healthy and active lifestyle. I started Fit Camp in a tough place: at age 31 and 5’7″, I was tipping the scales at over 200# and had been overweight for most of my adult life. After 8 months of Fit Camp, help from Gwen, and some pretty huge lifestyle adjustments, I was down 55# and in the best shape of my life.
I tried out Fit Camp on a recommendation of friend after saying that I needed a change. I started out a little intimidated since I could barely run a lap, but Gwen quickly put me at ease. She has a lot of energy and passion for what she does and takes the time to talk to you about your personal goals. She truly cares about her clients and has sat down with me on many occasions to talk about my goals, help me set up plans for weight loss, and worked with me to ensure I stayed active through injuries. Her commitment is healthy is genuine and she takes a balanced approach to diet and exercise to help you make smart decisions and achieve your goals.
Aside from Gwen’s attitude and expertise, there are a few unique things about Fit Camp that keep me coming back: the workouts, the schedule, and the people. Gwen makes exercise and fitness accessible to all levels by giving options for exercises, beginner to advanced, to makes sure everyone is challenged. This helped me ease into the exercises and gave something to strive for as I progressed each week in the 4 week program. She also helps work around injuries and comes up with equally challenging exercises to keep you moving throughout the class. Additionally, Gwen consistently changes the exercises and format so you never get bored and get to learn new moves and patterns. I’ve noticed that even as my fitness level has progressed over the past few years, I am still challenged during every workout and walk away feeling like I got my money’s worth from the class.
The schedule is another part of the equation. I work and travel a lot, which I always used as my big excuse for not working out. Fit Camp runs the same work out 5 times per day during the week. You are not locked in to any time slot, so it makes it easy to fit in before or after work depending on my schedule. It’s enough flexibility to allow me to manage my schedule, but has enough rigidity to ensure that I get to the workouts!
Last, but not least, the fellow Fit Campers at the workouts are awesome! It’s a fun group of people, who are encouraging and make working out in a group something to look forward to rather than dread. There is a large group of ‘regulars’ who have been coming to Fit Camp for years, which is a testament to Gwen and the program, that keep the sessions entertaining and helped put me at ease when I first started.
After my first year at Fit Camp, I lost 55#s, ran my first half marathon, hiked a couple mountains, and jumped into adventures that I never thought I would be able to do because of my health. With Gwen’s continued help, I keep pushing myself to try new things, and take on bigger challenges.
Long story short, if you’re looking to try something new and make a change, or looking to push yourself in a different way in a friendly and supportive atmosphere, give Mission Fit Camp a try — you won’t regret it!

My husband and I have been going to Mission Fit Camp since the November session. Gwen is amazing; she is patient and always willing to help us do our exercises properly. When we started, my husband and I were worried that we would not be able to keep up with other campers, but Gwen always gives us alternate exercises that we can do according to our fitness level and to accommodate my ankle injury. Gwen has a lot of equipment and an ample repertory of exercises; the workouts are never boring and never the same! If you are thinking of starting a new exercise program for your new year’s resolution, no need to look any further. Mission Fit Camp is a fit for everyone and you will not regret joining.

Mission fit camp was repeatedly recommended to me by a friend and I finally took advantage of the groupon deal. Wow am I glad I did! For one thing it takes place outside, which I LOVE! You do something new everyday so you never get bored or fall in a rut. You can feel and see yourself getting stronger and faster every week as things get tougher. And Gwen is fantastic, without her I would be lost. There is no way I would be able to do this on my own. She helps you with your form so you don’t hurt yourself and you get the most out the workout, she can help adjust a workout if you have an injury and she is just unbelievably motivating. You can tell she wants you to succeed. This goes for Blake as well, his convention center work outs leave you feeling exhausted but oh so accomplished.
Everyone in the class is very friendly and personable which is very nice, there is someone in every level of fitness which gives it a very welcoming feel. There are variable times during the week so you can find something that fits your schedule.
I am totally addicted, I feel guilty missing a class because I feel like I am cheating myself. I love how I am feeling about myself as I notice even small changes.
Thank you Mission Fit Camp!

I found Mission Fit on Groupon and decided to give it a try because 1). perfect locations, 2). 5 star reviews on Unilocal.Well, I wasn’t disappointed! Gwen and Blake are awesome! Finally, work out mean fun! Will definitely recommend it for friends!

I just completed my second round (8 weeks) of Mission Fit Camp with Gwen and all I have to say is this is the real deal! I have nothing but praise and accolades for the high quality exercise program Gwen has developed and enthusiastically delivers to her clients. I took advantage of the 3-​Month Unlimited package that was offered through Groupon. I would have paid so much more for the rapid results that I have seen in only two short months, not to mention the fun I am having. Jump on this outstanding Groupon deal if you have never attended Fit Camp!
The Program — Gwen enthusiastically challenges her clients to push themselves through a series of strength training and cardio exercises during one-​hour long sessions. Each day we focus on a different part of the body using resistance bands or dumbbells while also integrating intervals of high intensity cardio. Tuesdays — bicep and circuit day — is probably one of my most favorite days of the week. Talk about an ass kicking! It’s such a great workout! There’s NEVER a day that I leave Fit Camp without a drenched ball cap and t-​shirt. Gwen’s arsenal of exercise equipment is impressive — she really does bring the gym to the park and it’s such a great service that many other boot camps do not offer. She is also very encouraging and coaches clients to push themselves to their limit. Sometimes it takes me awhile to get into the groove of learning a new exercise that requires a high amount of coordination and/​or focus (I can’t walk and chew bubble gum at the same time) and she patiently walks me through the steps until I get the correct form. If you’re a novice to exercise or it’s been awhile since you last hit the gym, Gwen will definitely put you at ease and help make you feel comfortable to keep up with the more experienced campers. As the weeks progress, so does the rigor of the workouts. By the end of the 4-​week cycle, you’ll be surprised that you can push your body to the limit by doing 15 pushups after completing a few rounds of intense chest exercises… or run sprints up the grueling streets of Mission Hills on «hill day.» Fellow campers will soon become your friends and serve as a support system during the butt kicking exercises. There is no intimidation or judgment while at Fit Camp which is a huge plus in my book.
Added Bonus — Trainer Blake!
Blake is the new trainer on board and is a complementary asset to Mission Fit Camp. His workouts at the San Diego Convention Center stairs and Fanuel Park in Mission Bay are INTENSE! The Convention Center stairs (Fridays @ 6am) is one of my favorite days of the week at Mission Fit Camp, I haven’t missed a stair day yet. You will get a mix of intense cardio by sprinting up and down multiple levels of stairs using various techniques to work different parts of your legs and butt, only to come down to the ground level to dish out some challenging total body training exercises using resistance bands. I’ll be the first to say, «I HATE my life!» while sprinting up and down the stairs… but after all is said and done, I feel accomplished and thankful Blake and Gwen developed such a kick ass routine in beautiful Downtown. This is an awesome workout for campers of all levels, Blake does a great job of motivating clients to finish the sets of sprints and resistance training, even when they have hit a new level of fatigue that they didn’t think was possible. The workouts at Fanuel Park are a bit more challenging because running in the sand is required (sometimes while pulling a sandbag) but there’s not much to complain about when you’re getting a killer workout in a beautiful setting.
Results — To recap, I attended 8 weeks of Fit Camp and only missed two regular days of working out but attended stair day and Fanuel Park to try to offset my absences. In total, I lost 16lbs and about 3.25″ from my waist; 1.5″ from my neck; 2.5″ from my thighs; and about an inch from my hips. My physical activity ability shot through the roof and I improved the maximum number of pushups that I can do by 16 and improved my one-​mile run by almost two minutes!
Pre-​Camp (Beginning of August)
Weight: 202lbs
Body Fat: 27.1%
Waist: 40″
Hip: 41.75″
Pushups: 14
Crunches: 44
Wall Sit: 1:03
1 Mile Run: 9:19
Post-​Camp (End of September)
Weight: 185.8lbs
Body Fat: 23.9%
Waist: 36.75″
Hip: 41″
Pushups: 30
Crunches: 60
Wall Sit: 1:10
1 Mile Run: 7:29
The Real Deal — Gwen and Blake WANT to help you reach your goals and live a healthier lifestyle. Both are professional yet personable and have made my weight loss journey a great experience thus far. As the saying goes, «you will get out what you put in,» with Mission Fit Camp. You will have to find your own comfort level but Gwen and Blake are there to help along the way!

I just finished my 7^th week straight of Mission Fit Camp without missing a single day (5 days a week). The fact that I have not missed a single day should be a testament to how fantastic these classes are and what a motivational instructor Gwen is! I am/​was a very heavy woman when I found Mission Fit Camp. I met with Gwen and she believed in me, motivated me and held me accountable for my good choices with a food journal that she checks and gives feedback on weekly. Her classes are the perfect mix of cardio and strength training! Changing weekly to ensure there is NEVER a boring one. Monthly assessments gauge how far you have come not only if your goal is to lose weight or inches but in your strength as well. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about Mission Fit Camp. I don’t even mind the fact that I commute 5 days a week from Imperial Beach to take these classes. IT IS WORTH IT! I feel amazing. Thank you Gwen for helping me change my lifestyle.

Thank you Gwen for helping me get back on track! I won a few Mission Fit Camp sessions last fall, used them in January, and have been one of Gwen’s «fit campers» ever since. So glad I started going there! It’s hard to put all the things I love about it into one little review, but here goes…
— Gwen has a great attitude. She is always encouraging her clients to push harder, use a heavier weight, etc. She always does this is a positive way, which makes me want to work harder and makes me feel better about being there. When people ask if I go to a boot camp, I always say no and that it’s a fit camp. It’s such a friendly, positive environment.
— Love the outdoor workouts. I have never been a fan of going to the gym, so I was not experienced with using weights, TRX cables, circuit training, etc. before this. Gwen made it easy for me to learn all of these things & to learn proper form. Again, all this was done in a strong, upbeat, positive way by Gwen.
— Gwen is reliable and affordable. I generally purchase the 8 classes for $ 100 (that must be used in a single month), and it is money well spent. She has years of teaching experience, and it shows. She carefully plans out each day’s workout.
Mission Fit Camp has been in business for several years now, and Gwen always shows up for classes. She has a substitute teacher in case she can’t be there, but in six months I’ve been going, I’ve always had Gwen as the trainer.
— Her personal training sessions are the same as her classes — well thought out and challenging. And she is always encouraging.
— Gwen is dedicated to her business and her clients and it shows. She is quick to respond to questions and emails about workouts, diet, and recipes. She organizes a team for the San Diego TowerThon every year that raises money to support homeless teens, and she offered free stair climbing training sessions to team members on Sundays before the event. She sends out a monthly newsletter and recently sent out what looks like a great, healthy breakfast recipe. She is up to date on new fitness research. She also helps clients modify any exercises as necessary, which is not always the case in a group fitness setting. I appreciate her personal interest in how I’m doing.
So far with this class my weight has stayed the same, but I’ve lost inches, my BMI has gone down, and I feel strong and toned. I have only positive things to say about Gwen & her business.

Mission Fit Camp’s workouts are always interesting, challenging, and fun. Gwen does a great job of maintaining a positive and effective program — I’d highly recommend it!!!

Though I know it may sound like cliché or hyperbole, I really mean it when I say Mission Fit Camp has changed my life.
I began Mission Fit Camp somewhat grudgingly and only after some prodding from my wife who’d started a year earlier. Because there was no denying the positive effects it had for her, I finally gave in and decided to try it for a month. One year later, I am totally hooked!
Though I’d considered myself somewhat in shape before starting, I quickly learned that what I had been doing was no substitute for the full body workout Mission Fit Camp provides. Each day at Mission Fit Camp is a different focus, meaning over the course of a week every part of your body will be worked but with minimal risk for overuse. Gwen’s very careful with ensuring proper form and is always happy to modify exercises as needed for individual needs. It’s also common for classes to have a wide range of ages and fitness levels, and Gwen’s great about making sure everyone gets a workout that’s appropriate for them.
There are a lot of other positive things to say about Mission Fit Camp that have already been covered in earlier reviews, but one thing I’d highlight is the positive atmosphere Gwen creates. I enjoy the camaraderie of the other campers and how the campers support each other. Seeing how hard everyone else works inspires me to push myself in a way I wouldn’t otherwise do if left alone at a gym.
Bottom line — after many years of trying this and that, Mission Fit Camp is the only exercise program I’ve wanted to stick with for the long run.
Thanks, Gwen!

I’m hesitant to trust Unilocal reviews for certain services & businesses such as fitness programs, because they usually have so much turnover and I assume the reviews are incentivized somehow. But you guys, Mission Fit Camp is the real deal. I haven’t actually stuck with any fitness program EVER, and I’m currently in my 3^rd month straight of Mission Fit Camp.
Things I Love:
— It’s outdoors in a beautiful little park with tons of parking, adorable dogs running everywhere. It’s a great environment to work out in, with paths and flat areas, green grass, and playground equipment.
— The workouts are so varied and interesting. Gwen really has a massive arsenal of different exercises, so it never gets boring or monotonous. I love that every day works different muscle groups, so you always know what to expect and can tailor your fitness goals around this.
— Gwen is great at modifying exercises for you in case of injury or if you’re not as fit as other Campers. I never feel like I’m being pushed past my limits like I did in Crossfit. I feel like I’m always getting a great workout without feeling like I’m going to throw up afterwards.
— The multiple class times per day allows me to make no excuses to not go. There is almost always a time that works for me, no matter if I like it or not. :)
— I consistently burn 450 – 600 calories every time I go, so it’s an intense hour long work out that I feel for a couple days after, but doesn’t flat out destroy me.
— The people are awesome. I *love* that there are regulars who have been doing this with Mission Fit Camp for years. You know that a program is good when people stick with it so long.
— Gwen schedules extra Fit Chats and other non-​boot camp activities to partake in, ranging from fitness lectures, healthy brunches, posture clinics, running clinics, motivational meetings, yoga, and Zumba. These are awesome.
— Gwen feels like she really cares about you, your fitness goals, and what you want to achieve. She’s available by Facebook and stays after camp to talk to you about your goals.
I basically could keep going on and on. She’s the kind of trainer who doesn’t make you want to cry or die, but is motivational because she’s so knowledgeable about bodies and the best ways to achieve the results I want. I love that she explains what muscle groups we’re working. I also really appreciate that she checks in on our form to make sure we’re doing things correctly, because at Crossfit the class sizes were so big that I never got the personal attention I wanted. I never feel like Mission Fit Camp is going to hurt me physically.
Anyway, if you’re serious about making a change in your body, losing weight, gaining muscle, and just improving your health overall — I strongly recommend you give Mission Fit Camp a try.

I’ve always wanted to try out a boot camp, but they always seemed so intimidating… and expensive. This one was close to my house and I was intrigued by the workouts I would see them do at the park during my runs through the neighborhood. I tried it and was HOOKED!
There are lots of great reviews on here which is a testament to how much fit campers love the mix of workouts and enthusiasm by the main trainer, Gwen. She is one of the best trainers/​coaches I’ve ever had. She gives the perfect amount of motivation to get you through your workout. She is incredibly welcoming to all skill levels and will take the time, every time, to show you how to properly perform a drill or use the equipment. As others have said over and over, she is tough without making you feel like an idiot or as if you are «out of your element».
Gwen also takes the time to talk with you about your own personal weight loss goals and how to achieve them outside of fit camp… whether its through recipe/​meal suggestions, encouragement through Facebook about that next 5k, or other fitness questions. Basically, after your hour of fit camp for the day she DOES NOT just «sign off» and is happy to give basic nutrition and health advice.
Anyway, what everyone wants to know is results. Well, at 5’3 I lost 7.2 lbs and 3.2% body fat in 3.5 months. Keep in mind that I didn’t really change my diet much, and still drank a lot on the weekends. Could I have lost more weight/​body fat if I had a stricter diet? Definitely. Did I see a noticeable difference in my body regardless of minimal diet change? Yes.
Point is: Gwen is awesome. The workout actually gets FUN. Results happen if you stick with it. AND you get to be outside and not in a stale gym.
You can try out a full body work out on Sundays ($ 10) or Mondays ($ 15) before you commit. If you come with a friend its free… or if you get a hold of a Fit Camp magnet it is free to try as well.

I never thought I would say this about exercise but I LOVE Mission Fit Camp. This is my one year Fit Camp-​iversary and its about time I shared the love.
So one year ago I realized I had to do something. I had put on quite a bit of weight and was really out of shape and generally unhappy. I tried one other camp which will not be named (but it’s in Balboa park), which puts into relief why Gwen is so awesome. This other camp instructor was super friendly and would even text you if you missed a session, but four weeks in she was still calling me by the wrong name. Fake friendliness is not really a motivator for me.
Gwen is not fake. She is enthusiastic but not too enthusiastic. She is tough, but not too tough. By that I mean she pushes you to do the best you can (when away for a month I went to another group training class in Oakland. After two weeks, the trainer forced me to grab a heavier weight saying ‘you should be doing more than that by now’, in my head I thought — Gwen would accomplish the same thing but say it so much nicer and not make you feel bad but make you feel motivated).
The workouts are separated to focus on different areas on different days, at first I didn’t like this aspect (because the days I could go didn’t correlate to the muscles I wanted to work) but I found unexpected benefits of working muscles that I didn’t think I needed to work — my long-​term back pain has been improved by attending Thursdays chest and back days for a few months. My favorites are still Monday (full body and abs) and Wednesdays (legs), but I feel confident that whichever day I go I will get a great workout.
At Fit Camp everyone is at different fitness levels and it never really feels competitive (except when we’re doing competitive games, but even those are fun:) or intimidating (well, I find some exercises intimidating, but Gwen isn’t intimidating).
The other fit campers are pretty awesome on the whole. I look forward to seeing the same people and being inspired by their progress. We cheer each other on and sometimes quietly commiserate or joke about how hard something is as we force ourselves to do more reps. It’s great. Generally the groups (at least at the times that I go to) are on the smaller side (4 – 8 people), which is nice. The assessments at the beginning and end of the month are great to help you monitor your own progress. Pioneer park is beautiful and well-​maintained. Parking is easy. The times are also really convenient. If I miss the morning class, I come at 5.15. If I have to make up a class I come on Sunday. I’m not breaking the bank to pay for the classes so I can feel good about it for my body and my budget.
I can’t believe I’ve been going for a whole year. I feel stronger and healthier (and am almost 20lbs lighter and have maintained that for months now!) and generally happier (those exercise endorphins are a real thing). Just sign up. Do it. It sounds kind of cheesy, but it really can change your life.

Oh how I love fit camp. I started in January 2013. I have tried a number of personal trainers, small workout groups, fitness classes, masters swimming, Y membership, you name it.
Gwen is without question the best trainer I have ever met. She is very creative, workouts are always different and the overall workout is really crafted to get results. It’s tough and she has high expectations, but delivered so cheerfully that you can’t help but give it your best shot. In the past I’ve often felt a little rebellious at a trainer or coach’s direction, but she magically doesn’t trigger that response in me and that keeps me coming back!
I was utterly and completely out of shape when I started, and hadn’t done any workouts in almost year. Gwen shepherded me through those early months and it wasn’t long before I began to feel I could keep up with everyone else. I love that even as my fitness increases she is always giving us higher level to strive for. I feel a lot younger and more energetic and confident in myself, not only at workout but at work, socially, just in general. Plus I love my fellow campers and look forward to going.

I tried this camp during July when they had a promo going on for Sunday first timers. I went with 3 friends and out of the group only 1 had been to a boot camp before, so the rest of us being a lil’ out of shape were super scared.
Our fears were not unfounded, we were all in terrible shape it turned out, not just a lil’ out of shape! It wasn’t a horrible «kill me now» kind of boot camp, it was actually really fun. In between exercises everyone was joking around, the instructors were all really nice and funny too!
But yes the next day I was sore in places that I didn’t even know there were muscles hiding. It was a great feeling to get a total body workout, usually I just run or do pilates, but this worked out EVERYTHING!
Super fun camp, great mix of activities so you don’t get bored and it’s just nice to get to workout outdoors instead of in a smelly gym. I’ll definitely be going back