Summer Sweat Camp - July 2025 / Runway Shows

Summer Sweat Camp - July 2025

Their BAAAAAAAACK! That's Summer Sweat Camp I'm referring to. Another event filled with full body workouts that would humble the average gym goer. Actually, these workouts would humble anyone who attempts them. This event was hosted by none other than fitness trainers @denaaajha, @slay.iso, @reblei_fleur & the newest member @squatsnsplits who gave us a full course meal of Pilates. Each trainer brought something different to the table as they always do. They always start you off with great stretching techniques to loosen up the body. After you're all warmed up it's time for a FULL body workout which included Pilates. I can only speak for myself but this workout was a humble reminder that I need to add some of the routines to my personal workout to get things to the next level. Not to mention with a Sold out event, I was able to network and build connections with other fellow Gym Rats. You can never have too many gym buddies and I'll be back for sure in September. Thank you ladies for an Amazing time!

This event took place on the rooftop of an AMAZING gym called Vibe Fitness which is located in Greenpoint. No lies told, the whole workout was a vibe. Great views of the city while your sweat you life away with your cold water at hand. The inside of the gym was on point as well. It was very clean, well lit and the machines were smooth. Definitely a great place to workout if you're looking for a new gym home. The best part of Summer Sweat Camp are the competitions towards the end of the event. The 3 tasks were Planking, Dead hang and the Obstacle course. Congrats to the winners of each competition and for the rest of us who participated and lost including myself, it's time to get back into the LAB!!! The winners took home some nice prizes which included a one month gym membership at Vibe fitness which definitely was a win.

The Plank Competition

I've participated in the Plank competition at the last two Summer Sweat Camp events. I used to plank around 45 seconds to about 1 1/2 minuets. So, planking for 2 minuets is a great accomplishment for me. My personal goal is to increase my planking time as well as master other planking techniques such as side planks and other routines. Clearly 2 minuets isn't going to cut it at these competitions but I'm going to continue to give it my all and break these personal records until I master these planking techniques.

The Plank Champ: Kadijah Ducille

Of the five participants who competed in the Plank competition, Kadijah Ducille was the last one standing with a plank time of around 4:53 sec. Kadijah, who is Trinidadian works out around 4 - 5 days a week and this was her first time participating at a Summer Sweat Camp. She stated: "My fitness goals currently are to build more muscle and to improve my athletic performance. I balance my fitness goals with my busy lifestyle by making time for fitness and my well-being nonnegotiable. I schedule my workouts early in the mornings before my day begins to ensure that I make time to remain active and I also prioritize eating whole foods that support my fitness goals and overall health. Prioritizing my fitness and nutrition in this way allows me to show up better for myself and in my job as an attorney. I had an incredible experience at Summer Sweat Camp. It was a great opportunity for me to meet and build community with other like minded people who enjoy being active and work in the fitness industry. I found out about Summer Sweat Camp through my coach and mentor Denajha Phillips, who is also the founder of Summer Sweat Camp."

Summer Sweat Camp: From Humble Beginnings

Denajha is the founder of Summer Sweat Camp. She stated: "Summer Sweat Camp originated in 2023 from the sheer idea of wanting to build a community beyond the screen. During this time I had relocated back to Chicago after living in New York for 4 years post grad - with the intent to be closer to home, do some inner work & grow my online coaching business. During this time of fine tuning my passions and my purpose, I ran the idea of hosting a New York bootcamp across my 2 closest friends who I had met first on Instagram & then IRL while living in New York. Iso and Leilani were super excited to push this vision and we then wove Nicole into the first Summer Sweat Camp debut. We had our very first camp at Soccerroof Sunset Park and had about 30 guests. It was an extremely low budget looking back on it all but it was in that moment that we all craved MORE of what we had just created! The camp was full of so much energy, challenge, and connection! We've had 4 camps since then. Each one exceeded our expectations and included more brands, more experiences to connect & new faces looking for an energy filled yet challenging way to move their body."

"I went to the University of Missouri for undergrad and pursued a Bachelor of Journalism degree. I chose the school for two reasons: 1) the state of the art gym complex. 2) it was the #1 journalism school in the country (at the time). By sophomore year though, I had gained the Freshman 22… completely fell off with my fitness… & felt lost with how to get back to my “athletic” body. I should add, I ran track and field in high school on top of playing both volleyball and basketball. So entering college, fitness was always ingrained in my blood… until it wasn’t. But, lo and behold the power of social media and the debut of Instagram. I followed inspiring black women in fitness like Lita Lewis, Massy Arias and Brittnee Babe just to name a few. I became inspired to rewrite my fitness journey, not because I was in sports and HAD to workout but because I wanted to feel more confident and capable in my body. This led me to create a fitness IG (@dee.phitness) where I promised myself I would document my fitness journey. A local black-owned gym came across some of my posts & reached out to me to host boot camps at their facility. I wasn’t certified but my workouts were the truth lol! I always craved a challenge and my dedication to fitness had helped me lose the fat I gained and build muscle tone and strength. I soon became the “Fitness Girl” on campus hosting sold out boot camp like “BOODEE BOOTCAMP” and training 1:1 clients. This was the start of it all & what lit the fire in me to actually pursue this fitness thing full time post grad."

"In the next 5 years I see myself competing for a bodybuilding competition, wellness category to be specific. I also see myself expanding beyond just 1:1 online coaching but hosting more in person boot camps, meet and greets & pouring into aspiring personal trainers through mentorship. I currently mentor an Attorney who is looking to make a pivot into fitness full time. It’s been so amazing seeing her growth! She’s on her way to becoming NASM certified and launching her coaching business in the next couple months. This is the impact I want to continue having on women by empowering them so they are capable of anything they put their mind and body to!

As far as Sweat Camp, so much is on the horizon! We’re continuing to grow year after year. Our latest camp was Blessed with sponsors like Oner Active who gifted us T-Shirts to give away to our audience in addition to matching sets for the SSC ladies to wear. It was such a special moment to be supported by them in that way! We’re also going into our second partnership with Vibe Fitness which has truly been an amazing experience. To have a gym that Sweat Camp can call home & one that encourages their members to move and sweat with us is something that I’ll be forever thankful for! In the next few years we hope to take Sweat Camp on the road and travel to cities like Chicago, Atlanta, and Houston to name a few."

In conclusion, I'm definitely looking forward to the next event which will take place on September 21st. I must say again, the great part of this event is the opportunity to network and get to meet some Amazing people. Until next time, get in the gym and prepare for the next Sweat Camp. NO MERCY, only GAINS!