HANAMA‘ULU — Twice a week after school, teachers and parents at King Kaumuali‘i Elementary School play games, complete cardio circuits and get their heart rates up as part of a boot-camp-style fitness class taught by Stacy Ricciardi. Ricciardi, an ACE
HANAMA‘ULU — Twice a week after school, teachers and parents at King Kaumuali‘i Elementary School play games, complete cardio circuits and get their heart rates up as part of a boot-camp-style fitness class taught by Stacy Ricciardi.
Ricciardi, an ACE (American Council on Exercise) certified personal trainer, co-teaches “Boot Camp by Stacy” with her “No. 1 instructor,” Missy Hosel, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at the school.
The class incorporates interval training, which alternates high- and lower-intensity routines, for an effective, full-body workout, she said.
As a mother of two girls, ages seven and 10, who attend King Kaumuali‘i Elementary School, Ricciardi was inspired to bring her boot-camp class to the school because of the school’s efforts to promote healthy living for students, faculty and staff.
During the 2005-06 school year, the elementary school implemented a healthy-snack policy, in which students are only allowed to snack on fruits, vegetables and healthy grains during the school day.
The policy inspired the principal and faculty to change their eating habits, swapping doughnuts for yogurt during faculty meetings. The school furthered its healthy-living mission by establishing a staff wellness center and hired a nutritionist to speak with children as young as 5 about nutrition.
According to Principal Karen Liu, King Kaumuali‘i is one of the few schools that still has a P.E. (physical education) teacher on staff, who services more than 600 students.
Building on the school’s momentum, Ricciardi approached the principal about teaching an adult fitness class after school hours.
“I want to get it out there that King Kaumuali‘i is leading the way of promoting fitness in the workplace,” Ricciardi said. “This class is all about fitness, and all about fun.”
While an exercise class titled “boot camp” may sound intimidating, Ricciardi and Hosel modify exercises to accommodate all fitness levels.
“A group class takes the fear out of a boot camp,” said Hosel, mother of two young girls ages 6 and 8. “This class is definitely challenging, but it’s fun.”
The class is taught outdoors and the instructors work the school’s surrounding environment into their classes.
Whether exercisers are doing push-ups on the grass, lunges in the hallways or running up and down a flight of stairs, students are able to see their parents and teachers getting active.
Devi Berg teaches second grade at King Kaumuali‘i Elementary School and is an active participant in Ricciardi’s classes.
“I love the class because I don’t have to leave work to exercise,” Berg said. “King Kaumuali‘i is great because they promote healthy living in the workplace.”
In addition, Berg said she is able to pick up healthy tips she shares with her students, whether it’s standing up and stretching in the classroom or encouraging them to talk to their parents about healthy living.
“When you incorporate fitness in the workplace, it’s a winning combination,” Ricciardi said.
The classes held at King Kaumuali‘i Elementary School aren’t limited to the school’s teachers or parents, and Ricciardi encourages everyone in the area to attend.
The boot camp class at King Kaumuali‘i is 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and equipment is provided. The sessions are six weeks long, and classes cost $10 apiece.
