Energy. Pure and contagious. No caffeine required.
That's Cari Draft in a nutshell.
Her goal is to make West Michigan more fit, and she's scampering over sand dunes, climbing hills and jumping mud puddles to make it happen.
Draft's business, EcoTrek Fitness in Spring Lake, is redefining what a workout can be, and it's already made hundreds of people convert to tromping through the woods in search of a healthier life.
Based on her initial success in West Michigan, Draft is taking her slant on outdoor fitness to other states. A few months ago, she opened an EcoTrek Fitness in Morgantown, W. Va. and hopes to open one in Summit County, Colo. in the spring next year.
No such thing as bad weather
The attraction of EcoTrek Fitness is its emphasis on the beauty of nature, and Draft says only lightening will prevent her from getting people outside, year round, to work out.
"People get to see parks and trails they've never seen before," says Draft, 45, a graduate from Coopersville High School and Grand Valley State University with a bachelor's degree in advertising/public relations and graphic design. "The variety is awesome and being outside helps people stay young and active."
EcoTrek Fitness is an original, group fitness program, not a franchise, created by Draft that integrates cardio, strength training and flexibility in a 75-minute session. Draft refers to the workouts as physical and mental fitness training.
Every workout, from the lakeshore to Coopersville to Grand Rapids, is held outdoors in a well-researched, strategic location. She or one of her nine series leaders choreographs each session, utilizing the landscape and making prolific use of sand dunes, rolling hills and various man-made "props." Draft says a picnic table is a perfect place for tricep dips or push-ups, and bleachers are the best for toning legs and gluts.
"The great thing about being outside is that you're totally unaware you're doing squats and building your core strength," Draft says. "We jump over mud puddles. It's so fun to see people acting like little kids."
Draft quickly attests that weather should not play a factor in exercise routines. "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad choices in clothing," her website insists.
The key, Draft says, is dressing for the situation. If you dress in layers, there's no reason for not enjoying the outdoors, even in the depth of winter. To prove her point, she offers guided snowshoeing events in February.
The purpose of EcoTrek is to get people moving and get them outside. Draft thinks the most logical form of exercise happens right outside a person's front door…or along a steep dune by Lake Michigan. Although she would never scoff at a gym, she's a firm believer that exercise can and should be accessible and inexpensive.
EcoTrek Fitness workouts cost $12 for a single session (pay as you go), or multiple sessions can be purchased at a discounted rate.
Wherever you are in West Michigan, there's an EcoTrek Fitness session within 15 minutes. The nine series, scattered throughout the area, comprise 100 different routes. And, just in case you don't feel like pouring sand or pulling twigs out of your shoes at the end of a workout, EcoTrek has numerous urban locations.
100-mph woman
Draft believes that if you ask a busy woman to get something done, she will get it done. She thrives on the fast pace of her life, not to mention the speed of her Yamaha V-Star Classic 650 motorcycle.
"My energy comes from my clients," Draft asserts. "I probably wouldn't be out climbing dunes at 5:30 in the morning, if it wasn't for them."
After working as a graphic designer for nearly twenty years in the Grand Rapids metro area, Draft lost her verve for the mainstream marketing world. She changed directions and became an ACE certified fitness trainer, receiving a specialized outdoor action certification at the Nike headquarters in Oregon.
When Draft returned from her Nike outdoor training, she asked a few friends to join her for a trial run, and voilà, EcoTrek Fitness was born.
Draft spent one year as the sole trainer, sculpting EcoTrek into what it is today. That was over six years ago. She now employs nine other leaders.
Word-of-mouth, Draft insists, is still one of the best ways to reach the masses.
A friend told Kristy Kehl, a triathlete and firefighter for the city of Grand Rapids, about EcoTrek Fitness, and she immediately became a diehard fan.
"I found myself in an 'exercise slump,' says Kehl, 36. "I was sick of doing the same workout everyday and found myself avoiding exercise altogether. Cari is an awesome motivator who pushes me to do my best. EcoTrek is a great fit for anyone."
Once an EcoTrekker, always an EcoTrekker
EcoTrekkers are known for their extreme loyalty.
"It's a good addiction," says Draft. "The workouts change every session, so boredom is never a factor."
Vicki Wenger has been attending EcoTrek sessions for almost three years, and has converted a colleague and her husband.
"EcoTrek is truly like no other workout I have ever done," says Wenger, 45. "I can honestly say that I still look forward to each and every session."
Draft says people at any level of fitness are invited to join even if they are "fresh off the couch." EcoTrekkers are encouraged to work at their own level, so there's never a feeling of intimidation or competition.
"My philosophy is to build people up. I'm not one of those 'break them down to build them up' trainers. I encourage a common sense approach to fitness, including healthy eating choices."
The number of EcoTrekkers grows daily, and Draft says that more than 2000 people have passed through its "doors" since 2006.
Draft also finds time to be a personal trainer with her One on One Fitness business, and offers corporate fitness, Bridal Bootcamps for brides and their bridesmaids, and specialized sessions for church and school groups.
"If you sit down and sit still, life just passes by," Draft says. So, if you're looking for some motivation, get outside and find Cari Draft. She's waiting.
Bona Van Dis is a copywriter, editor and project manager for Reagan Marketing+Design. She lives in East Grand Rapids with her husband and two young sons.
Photos:
Cari Draft of EcoTrek Fitness (5)
Photographs by Brian Kelly -All Rights Reserved