The Sarge

Before a conversation can even begin with Patrick Avon, he will order you to the floor  to give him five, ten or perhaps (if you look as though you're in decent shape) even 20 pushups! "People usually react with shock and horror" said Avon with a gleam in his eye. "Sooner or later they will all end up on the floor..." "The best are kid's, they just do it and next thing you know you have 4 or 5 of them on the deck"...Of course with the parents smiling and staring...but not for long".

A former Naval Dental Tech & Fitness Instructor, Avon, 44, has channeled his passion for health and exercise into an intense, effective, yet extremely enjoyable fitness regimen known as, "The Sergeant's Program."

"After spending five years in the service, I discovered that my one true love was indeed fitness," Avon says. "After a few months as a personal trainer, it occurred to me that I could play upon my military background and turn one of the most visible personas the military has to offer, the feared and dreaded drill sergeant.  An energizer, Sarge has completed ten marathons, two Ironman triathlons (Lake Placid 2001 and 2003) and at age 41,  recieved his Black Belt in Korean martial art Hapkido under Grandmaster Jin Pal Kim. Recently asked what his strength was in all his sports, Avon replied "perserverence". "At 5"10 and 200 pounds, I am not very fast....sort of a slow moving tank that never quits".

With the helping hand of 40 plus awesome fitness instructors (all of whom are respectfully referred to as "Sergeant's") Avon is the President of "The Sergeant's Program", a unique conditioning routine designed to whip even the flabbiest of corporate executives into decent shape within four short weeks.

"I am a strong believer in producing results in a short period of time," Avon said. "When you think about it, Military Boot Camp is structured to produce optimal results in a minimal time frame, and our program, while admittedly not extreme, is designed to produce the same results." In 1999 Simon and Shuster contracted Sarge to create a book about his brand of fitness. Titled Boot Camp with co-author MaryAnn Karinch they sold over 15,000 copies.

Educated and certified by The National Academy of Sports Medicine, The American College of Sports Medicine and many other organazations. With specializations in personal, group fitness, core stabilazation and youth fitness he is a student of fitness and leadership. Recently obtaining the industrys more advanced certification...NASM's Performance Enhancement Specialist. The program continues to be head and shoulders above all Boot Camp fitness training companies.

In 2006 with the help of key staff, Avon and The Sergean't Program created it's own fitness certification. Certified Outdoor Fitness Instructor. Instructors perform a 90 plus hour mentor phase giving them hands on training accompanied with a 12 hour classroom component. Followed up with a written test, Sarge's certification is the only one of it's kind.

What is most unique about this program, Avon says, is its simplicity. He utilizes neither machinery nor high-tech gadgetry because, as he says, "por typical clients are business executives who are working with computers and high tech equipment 12 hours a day. The last thing that they need is technology to take control of their physical conditioning." Instead he takes the basic approach which consists of running, calisthenics, aerobic stimulation and weight training to produce effective and lasting results. Put simply, clients want to show up and let the Instructor do all the thinking while they just simply work their butts off!

While the Sarge makes full use of the rough and tough archetype of the military drill instructor, he also recognizes the need to deal with his recruits in a personable and friendly manner. Using humor as the backbone of his entire routine, Avon says, every command has a smile behind it.

"If the Navy taught me anything at all, it was how to adapt," Avon says. "I've been fortunate to have adapted my love of fitness and my talents as an instructor into a program which is effective, productive and fun.

The results speak literally for themselves.

Got something to say to the Sarge? Send him an email.