As bikini season approaches, exercise often becomes a higher priority. Anne Binder offers an innovative way to kick-start the weekend in a healthy way: boot camp. Borrowing moves from a military-style workout, her boot camp meets every Saturday morning on Alki Beach; the class starts at 8 a.m. and lasts just over an hour.

According to Binder, Alki is a perfect location for working out because it is accessible, beautiful and has creative terrain. "Living in West Seattle makes me appreciate and value the beach and all it has to offer," says Binder. "Working within the elements - rain or shine - helps develop a sense of commitment toward physical health and strength."

Binder has been teaching group exercise classes for eight years, including aerobic kickboxing, cycling, sculpt/core-strength training, dance and now, boot camp.

In an effort to motivate attendees to challenge themselves physically, Binder says she decided to create a more intense routine that "takes basic exercise to the next level." Using very little exercise equipment, the workout relies primarily upon body weight as resistance for push-ups, squats, sit-ups and similar movements.

Every class is different; Binder enjoys mixing it up each week. She guarantees that participants will experience an increased heart rate due to one or all of the following: sand sprints, stair-climbing, jump rope, lunges, calisthenics and core conditioning.

Attendee Rod Doe likes the military workouts. A former merchant marine, Doe says, "I like going out and getting my butt kicked." He adds with a laugh, "Killing me softly."

Although Binder works her students hard, she uses a sense of humor and "silliness" to motivate them.

"I'm certainly not the militant drill-sergeant type, so I have to rely on my genuine passion to motivate others as my primary tool," says Binder.

Her technique is effective. Sarah Steere, another participant, reports major soreness after every session. She is still sore from the previous Saturday when she has to go the class again.

In addition to an improved physical state, Binder also hopes that boot camp attendees will walk away feeling emotionally positive.

"I really feel that a secondary gain of this class is developing a sense of community through physical strength and health," says Binder. She enjoys seeing people create a bond through the process.

Sandi Kessler, one of Binder's students, agrees that there is a social aspect to the class. While she acknowledges that boot camp is "an intense challenge before the summer," Kessler also says "it's fun to meet people."

Boot camp is offered as a six-week series. Binder will offer two classes per week - Thursday evenings at Lincoln Park and Saturday mornings on Alki - throughout this spring and summer. Classes are $99 for the full six weeks or $20 for drop-ins. Body-composition analysis is offered at the beginning and the end of the series.

Binder recommends the class for those who are looking to intensify an existing workout routine.

"This current session, I have had participants ranging from early 20s to late 40s," says Binder.

Finally, she promotes a healthy lifestyle: "I encourage participants to practice healthy nutrition and self-care; we are given just one body, so it is imperative that we take care of it."

Mia Steere is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory and may be reached via wseditor@robinsonnews.com