Fitness the Army Way 塑身新兵營

 Fitness boot camps treat people who want to get in shape like they are in the army
　　The latest trend in fitness1 centers is known as boot camp2. It doesn't use high-tech machines and isn't a new form of yoga. Instead, it involves treating clients like they are in the army. Even though it seems to be made for soldiers, fitness boot camps are becoming popular ways to stay in shape in fashionable places like New York City. Of course, these trendy boot camps are rather different from those of the army.
目前健身中心裡的最新風潮就是塑身新兵營了。這種課程既沒有使用到高科技的健身器材，也不是一種新的瑜珈形式。相反地，課程中對待客戶的方式就彷彿他們是在軍中一樣。即便這種訓練看似專為軍人設計，不過塑身新兵營卻在紐約市這種時尚之都裡成為保持健康體態的熱門方法。當然，這些新潮的新兵營和軍隊裡的可是大不相同。
　　One thing is that people pay a lot of money to join fitness boot camps. Even so, they perform military-style routines of simple yet tough exercises like running, push-ups3, pull-ups4, squats5, and more. Most importantly, they have instructors pushing them hard, just like military officers6. In addition, the large group of participants helps motivate everyone to try harder and not give up.
　其中一項不同之處就是人們會花大把銀子來參加塑身新兵營。即便如此，他們仍奉行軍事化的例行訓練，像是跑步、伏地挺身、拉單槓、蹲踞以及更多簡單卻費勁的運動。最重要的是，他們的教練就像是軍官一樣，會在背後強力鞭策他們。除此之外，這樣一大群的學員還會激發彼此在運動時更加賣力、更不輕言放棄。
　　Fitness boot camps may just be a fad7, but they seem to get results. The exercises help people reduce high blood pressure and stress, increase strength, and lose weight. If you are looking for a more intensive workout than you've ever had, why not sign up for a boot camp today?
塑身新兵營可能只是一時的風潮，但它們似乎頗有成效。這些運動幫助人們降低高血壓、減輕壓力、強身健體，並且達到減重的效果。如果您在找的是一種您從未做過、更為密集的健身運動，何不今天就報名參加塑身新兵營呢？
1. Which of the following is true about fitness boot camps?
(A) They are military agencies that train people how to fight.
(B) They use fancy equipment to help people lose weight.
(C) Army officers lead the participants in simple stretches8.
(D) Instructors push the participants hard, just like military officers do.
1.下列有關塑身新兵營的敘述何者為真？
(A) 它們是訓練人們戰鬥技巧的軍事單位。
(B) 它使用高檔的儀器幫助人們減重。
(C) 軍官會帶領學員做簡單的伸展運動。
(D) 教練會像軍官一樣嚴厲地鞭策學員。
2. What can the exercises at fitness boot camps NOT do for the participants?
(A) Solve their sleeping problems.
(B) Lower their blood pressure.
(C) Make their bodies stronger.
(D) Help them lose weight.
2. 塑身新兵營裡的運動無法幫助學員達成何事？
(A) 解決他們的睡眠問題。
(B) 降低他們的血壓。
(C) 讓他們的身體更強壯。
(D) 幫助他們減重

答案：1. (D)　2. (A)

@Words & Phrases
1. stay/keep/be in shape　　（保持）健康∕身體狀況良好
Kathy kept herself in shape by jogging every day.
凱西藉由每天慢跑來保持身體健康。
2. routine　n. 一套固定的動作或舞步；例行工作
Tracy's routine includes making breakfast for her family every morning.
翠西每天的例行工作包括為全家人做早餐。
3. participant　n. 參加者，參與者
All the participants in the survey got a book of coupons.
所有參與這場問卷調查的人都得到了一本折價券。
4. motivate　vt. 激發，激勵
The teacher motivated his students to be more active in class.
那位老師激勵他的學生，要他們上課更積極。
5. reduce　vt. 降低，減少
The mayor took steps to reduce crime in the city.
市長採取了多項措施來減少該市的犯罪案件。
6. intensive　a. 密集的
Josh took an intensive language course right before he left for Berlin.
喬許在去柏林之前參加了一門密集的語言課程。
7. fancy　a. 花俏的；昂貴的
Al couldn't afford to stay in a fancy hotel, so he booked a bed at a youth hostel.
艾爾住不起高級飯店，所以他在青年旅館訂了一張床位。
8. sign up for…　　報名參加……
Carol signed up for a special training course on the weekends.
卡蘿報名了一門在週末上課的特別訓練課程。


@Extra Words

1. fitness　n. 健康（本文中作形容詞用）
2. boot camp　n. 新兵訓練營
3. push-up　n. 伏地挺身
4. pull-up　n. 拉單槓
5. squat　n. 蹲踞
6. military officer　n. 軍官
7. fad　n. 一時的流行
8. stretch　n. 伸展