LiveWell Louisiana

Basic Training

Enlist in a high-octane exercise experience
August 18th, 2014 by: Lianna Patch

There are a lot of boot-camp fitness programs in New Orleans, says Nolan Ferraro, owner of Salire Fitness — but few date back as far as his. “As it was starting to trend and become a catchphrase for outdoor fitness experiences, we were one of the early adopters,” he remembers.

A licensed wellness coach, Pilates instructor and personal trainer, Ferraro opened Salire in 2005, shortly before Hurricane Katrina. Its Mid-City location flooded badly, and it took about one year for Ferraro to re-open the studio. 

In 2009, Salire launched its first boot-camp program. “It was an opportunity to do outdoor group fitness and give cl“In general, we try to help our clients form a sense of community, connectedness and camaraderie,” Ferraro says. “They feel comfortable about the fact that they have options.” Workouts can be modified to be more or less vigorous, depending on your fitness level.ients an opportunity to work out at a different price point,” Ferraro says. Now, through its Power in the Park cross-training boot camp, Salire provides daily workouts for men and women who enjoy group motivation and high-energy movement. 

The format includes 30 minutes of military-style boot-camp exercises and 30 minutes of a specifically focused class (like Ab Attack or Pilates in the Park). Clients can try their first class for free, with classes offered five days per week. One month of unlimited classes is currently $99.

“In general, we try to help our clients form a sense of community, connectedness and camaraderie. They feel comfortable about the fact that they have options.”

- Nolan Ferraro

“In general, we try to help our clients form a sense of community, connectedness and camaraderie,” Ferraro says. “They feel comfortable about the fact that they have options.” Workouts can be modified to be more or less vigorous, depending on your fitness level.

In 2010, Salire moved to Magazine Street to expand its space and services — and this month, the business will begin offering a new group class called Body Blitz. With eight participants switching between eight-minute sessions of cardio and floor training, the class is basically a “small version of boot camp indoors,” Ferraro says.

The top two questions people have about boot camp are, “‘Am I fit enough to do this?’ and ‘Will it help with my overall goal of weight loss?’” Ferraro says. “I say yes to both. First, you are fit enough to do it because you can modify the exercises. And second, although nutrition is 85 percent [of weight loss], anytime you burn calories and move more, you’re going to improve your weight-loss potential.” Look for more info online at salirefitness.com  or  bootcampneworleans.com.