3 hard workouts for the price of a T-shirt

Another tip from one of my favorite tipsters -- Aaron Linz, chairman of the Charlotte Running Club:

"Typically, mid- to late July is a bit slow for races. If folks are looking for something a little different to do, I recommend they try the Summer Bootcamp Series" put on by Asana Activewear, located at 3920 Sharon Road in the SouthPark area.

The new program -- which has offered two sessions already and continues this Saturday, followed by sessions on Aug. 8 and Aug. 22 -- is described on the Asana Web site as "an opportunity to sample some of Charlotte’s finest personal training and fitness gyms, each of which will be leading a 'bootcamp' style workout, which includes a variety of strength, agility and conditioning drills." (Velocity Sports is leading this Saturday's session.)

"Basically, each session is instructed by trainers from some of the top personal-training gyms in Charlotte," says Asana Activewear owner Gary Schwake, a former triathlete. "Although each session will reflect the unique style of each gym/trainer, all of the sessions will involve 'functional' strength-training movements, with jumps, lunges, pushups, medicine balls, dumbells/kettle bells, bands, etc. Because the majority of the movements are based on body weight or light weights, they can be scaled to any fitness level and/or ability."

Schwake says more than 30 people attended each of the first two sessions. Here's a pic from one of them:

Adds Linz: "I assure you it will give any runner a terrific workout. For $10, you get a water bottle, technical T-shirt, and a [drawstring backpack] bag, plus an hourlong workout. ... Heck, that stuff alone is worth more than that."

The $10 (plus a $2 PayPal fee if you register online) will cover as many of the sessions you want to attend. Event-day registration is $15 and opens at 8:30 a.m.; the workouts begin at 9 a.m. and will take place outdoors, in a shaded area.

Get more info by clicking here. Or call Asana Activewear at 704-366-8020.