With summer lingering right around the corner, 17 women in Elbert County made the decision to sign up for a four-week Booty Camp sponsored by The Gym, located on Grant Street in Elizabeth.

Each participant took part in a supervised program that included cardiovascular and resistance training exercises along with a nutritional program with recommended menus, shopping lists and recipes.

The women competed in weekly challenges for strength and endurance competing for prizes donated by merchants throughout the community. The women joined together to find out who in fact was the biggest loser and who would claim the cash prize on May 12 at Elodji’s Wine Bar. Combined the women lost an incredible 146 inches and 98 pounds.

Angie Gonzales, Kelly Brown, Kelli Johnson and Valerie Colgate all celebrated together as they took home the top prizes in different categories for inches and weight lost for the morning and evening Booty Camp. Gonzales is thrilled with her results.

“This was just a really great experience. The trainers focused on making the camp fun and challenging for us all, but they also kept us motivated and pushed us to keep going,” Gonzales said.

Certified Personal Trainer Sheryl Machado and owner of The Gym Nancy Smilanic organized the Booty Camp. Machado said she will definitely continue to train with many of the students who participated in the camp. She said the women were very competitive and really pushed each other along.

“There was a lot of sweat and even tears that went into this camp. When you give someone the tools to change their lives it’s amazing to see it happen before your eyes,” she said.

The Gym will be sponsoring another four-week Booty Camp starting on June 2 running through June 25. For more information you can contact The Gym at 303-638-7396 or 303-885-8934. The Gym is thankful and appreciative for all the prizes donated by Elizabeth merchants.