If you're an early riser in the Rock Creek Hills neighborhood of Kensington, you've likely encountered the women of Kensington Boot Camp doing suicides on the park's basketball court, lunging and sprinting up and down the neighborhood roads, or on the occasional 4 mile run along Beach Drive. Since 2004, this group of 20 women has gathered twice a week in all seasons and weather conditions to be put through the paces by trainer Rachel Posell. 

KBC, as it was coined in the early days, was conceived as an accessible, safe and challenging way to help women who were busy with children, home and work responsibilities incorporate fitness as a routine part of their day. Initially, everyone in the group was connected by the neighborhood or their kids' schools. Conversations in between push-ups and planks were about school issues, headline news, and the next cocktail party. Over the years, people have dropped out because of injury, pregnancy or scheduling conflicts, but word of mouth has brought new members from Bethesda, Silver Spring, Chevy Chase and even Washington, D.C.  Four original members are in the current session. 

Once you're a member of KBC, you're always a member. Many who have left are hoping to eventually come back, like Jessica Hughes, a working mother of three.

"After my second child was born I really needed to drop the extra weight," Hughes said. "I joined KBC and found that not only was I working out and feeling more fit, but I was less tired and less stressed. It provided me the opportunity to gather with neighbors and friends that I rarely had the chance to see because of my work and crazy schedule. I left KBC when I was pregnant with my third child and am dying to go back."

Posell's goal is "to be able to challenge people at whatever fitness level they're at."  In any given session, she is catering to a few marathon runners and tri-athletes as well as women who have just given birth, and every level in between. 

While there have not been drastic changes, she has seen people improve their fitness levels and make significant health improvements over the years. At age 53, Paula Collins is more fit than she's ever been in her life. Veterans Jean Silverman, Susie Kendzie and Paula Collins agree that working out with the Kensington Park Retirement Community in their view gives them incentive to work harder and stay healthier.

But it's not just the physical benefits that keep these gals coming back. Donna Orr was gone for six weeks and "missed the camaraderie of the women.…" Jonica Gibson agreed that "it's great to have other women to work out with." This is a benefit that Posell didn't plan on but now sees as a crucial part of the success of the program. There is no judgment at KBC. Everyone works to their ability and everyone gets pushed to go just a little further. Adjustments are made individually for injuries.

Boot camp goes on in all weather conditions with the exception of thunder and lightening. It is rare that conditions are perfect. In the spring and fall it is dark and cold. In the summer it is thick with heat, humidity and gnats. In the winter they meet in a church basement for strength training. Nevertheless, the ladies keep coming; the program is always full and sometimes even has a waiting list.

As former member Elanah Uretzky stated, "Why else would someone go outside in the dark in 36 degree weather where they are expected to do 50 pushups on the cold, hard ground?" It's just that good.