There’s something about the words “boot camp” that scare people.

I learned this when Peter Kowalewski, a certified strength and conditioning specialist who runs an adult fitness boot camp out of Schafer Gymnastics in Lawrence, invited me to try a session of his class.

When I asked others to join me, I got two types of answers: no answer at all or some form of an excuse.

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Photos by Helen Longo. The person who sacrificed being photographed during the unflattering and unforgiving time that is working out done by Norine Longo.

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While I have to admit that my workout routine isn’t currently as intense as it could be, I think the exercise I do right now makes it easy for me to uphold my end of the agreement I made with my body – the one that involves me making attempts to exercise regularly.

When Pete approached me with this challenge, I have to admit that knowing I’d be attending a boot camp was intimidating, perhaps because I know boot camp doesn’t usually translate into a walk-in-the-park type of work out. It didn’t stop me from saying yes.

I attended class with a coworker who is no stranger to the gym, which would explain why she accepted and came straight from a boxing class to be there, while other friends of mine cowered away in fear at the mere thought of taking the class.

We attended a Wednesday evening class May 12th. When we arrived, we were greeted by Pete and a group of about 10 women.

Pete said the worst thing that he could do as a trainer was have us wake up the next morning unable to move because we were so sore. To him that meant we wouldn’t go back. I enjoyed hearing that, mostly because I’ve been there and being that sore is just ugh. After workouts in the past have left me painfully sore, I’ve equated my movement to a zombie without joints. Steering clear of overdoing it is simple for me. Hey, unless you don’t feel pain, I’m pretty sure you’d have no problem identifying how much you are exerting in your exercise.

The class is in an area used for gymnastics filled with a plethora of equipment including foam pits, nets, trampolines, horses, bars and beams. Pete said he sometimes incorporates some of the equipment into the workout but assured me I didn’t need to be a gymnast to do the exercises, which, of course, is always a good thing, especially in my case.

The class consists of aerobics, strength training, corrective exercise and mobility work.

Pete provided a healthy balance of encouragement and that push that you need to keep going.

He sets the expectation that you should let him know how you are feeling during the workout. There are breaks for water, timing, reps and more, but one thing Pete made clear is you won’t find yourself doing the same workout there twice. Times, exercises and repetitions vary.

Throughout the hour-long session, Pete explained multiple ways to do certain exercises. He would say things like you can start out doing this, this way and work your way to do this, or if you’re feeling good and want a challenge, try it like this.

He walked around the class and monitored form and helped each person individually, a major plus.

The class is intimate, something Pete said he values. You’re not in a large class where you could be doing something wrong, not feel anything or potentially hurt yourself, and no one would even notice. There’s constant communication and attention.

After a cooldown, I felt quite accomplished and the next morning, I felt good and not paralyzingly sore.

Once you move past the boot camp vision of a drill sergeant screaming into your ear and realize that boot camp is about you, the apprehensiveness and intimidation fades. You do what you can, you push yourself and you do it the best you can. The instructors are there to help.

Peter Kowalewski is a Manhattan-based personal trainer with a degree in Kinesiology and more than nine years of experience. He runs his adult fitness boot camp out of Schafer Gymnastics located at 1880 Princeton Ave. in Lawrence. The first session is free for those who would like to try the class.

Classes are offered Mondays from 6 to 7 a.m., 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. and 8 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays from 6 to 7 a.m., 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. and 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 6:15 to 7:15 a.m. and 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.

Payments are done monthly. If you attend 1 class a week for a month, the cost is $60; 2 classes a week is $105 per month; 3 classes a week costs $120 a month or you can opt for a 10 class punch card and attend any 10 classes throughout the month for $120.

For more information or to reserve your slot in a trial class, e-mail Peter Kowalewski at PeteTrainer@gmail.com, call (732) 213-8042 or visit them on the Web at http://www.schafergymnastics.com/bootcamp.php.