CRANBERRY TWP — Whether it's shedding a few pounds, more than a few or just getting a good workout, Rob Naylor is helping women accomplish their goals.

Naylor is the founder of Speed Matters Sports Specific Training.

Many of the camps included within his business are geared toward youths and certain sports. But his Ladies Boot Camps also have become popular.

Naylor said he first got the idea when he was living in Virginia.

"Then, a few years ago, I started it around here with groups of four or five women and we'd take it outdoors," said Naylor. "I realized that there's a whole clientele that's tired of the gym.

"We have our followers and they bring their friends and it just goes from there," said Naylor, who has master's degrees from Slippery Rock University in sports administration and health and physical education.

The camp's agenda includes everything from jogging to stretching to working with bungee cords and hand weights. But the activities are never the same from one session to the next.

"I've been to the gym, and that got to be so boring because you're doing the same thing over and over," said Marcie Popek, 35, of Butler.

"I'll go back to the gym in the winter, but being outside is a whole new concept."

The reason the camps have become popular is simple: they're working.

"I heard about the camps and got on the Web site to find out more about it," said Popek, who is in her second boot camp. "And, so far, I've lost 16 pounds."

"There will be a difference in the dress sizes and pants sizes, guaranteed," said Naylor. "If a woman takes part in these boot camps, she will lose inches."

Nikki Gaines, 55, a mother of two from Evans City, is currently in her second boot camp.

"I became very lazy and got into a rut," Gaines said. "Then I had an awakening one day. My blood pressure and cholesterol were high and the doctors said they were going to put me on medication. That just didn't sit well with me.

"Since I started with these camps, I've dropped two dress sizes and one pant size," she added.

Each boot camp consists of 12 or 18 sessions spread out over three to four weeks.

Each session lasts one hour and, every day of the camp, a morning session and an evening session are offered.

"We don't expect the ladies to come to both," said Naylor. "We offer different times because, for some, the morning works better. And if they happen to miss one, it's easily made up."

The best aspect of the camps is that women of all body types can participate and succeed. Women as young as 18 and as old as 74 have taken part because there are three levels of difficulty for every exercise.

"Everybody goes at their own pace," said Naylor. "But at the end of the camp, all the women are at the last level of variation.

"We focus on areas where women aren't used to using their muscles," he added.

"Yeah, it hurts at times, but that's how you get this," Gaines said with a smile, pointing to her muscular right bicep. "The hour goes quick."

Of course, becoming and staying healthy doesn't end when the camp sessions are over.

Nutrition is just as important. Every camper receives a packet that includes information on nutrition and supplements. Naylor bolsters the information with lectures.

Boot camps like the one currently taking place in Cranberry Township will be held over the next six weeks at the Pine-Richland Youth Center, Settler's Cabin in Collier Township and back at Cranberry Township Community Park.

Naylor's wife, JoAnna, is director of operations for Speed Matters.

The two are planning a Weekend Boot Camp Extravaganza at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in January.

Until then, Naylor's campers will continue to burn the calories and boost their self- esteem.

"I'm already signed up for the camps in August and September," said Popek.

For information on the boot camps, visit www.speedmatters.biz or call 412-576-5436.