BASIC TRAINING; EARLY RISERS PUSH THEMSELVES THROUGH CARDIO BOOT CAMP.

Byline: Heesun Wee Daily News Staff Writer

It's just past 6 on a dark Monday morning when a deep, booming voice orders nearly 20 men and women to fall into two neat, single-file lines.

Bundled in thick workout clothes against the morning chill, the recruits finish stretching and shuffle toward the wet track at Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Park.

The group steps into a jog - a bit too fast and eager at first, and slightly out of formation.

``Slow down!'' orders Lawrence Stuart in his distinctive, baritone voice.

``Straighten up!'' he adds.

Then the chants in the military's trademark staccato begin.

``When that last foot strikes the ground!'' Stuart yells.

``When that last foot strikes the ground!'' his charges repeat, louder and with more confidence than before.

``I want to hear that clapping sound,'' Stuart adds.

``I want to hear that clapping sound.''

Left. Right. Left, right, left.

Bobby Chance of Sunland chugged along, his breathing getting heavier with each lap. ``I feel good,'' he said, between gulps of air, ``but I'm a little tired.''

Taste of the military

For the record, this is no boot camp. But for many less hard-core civilians, it's the closest they'll ever come to real military training. Borrowing physical fitness techniques and strategies used in the military, creators of the new workout call it Cardio Boot Camp.

Variations of military-inspired exercises are popping up across the country, poised to edge out indoor cycling classes as the next big fitness fad.

In New York, a well-known indoor version is Boot Camp at Reebok Sports Club/NY. Former Marine Keith Byard leads the 75-minute cardiovascular and muscular workout. Some call it ``torture.''

In the Southland, Sports Club/LA in West Los Angeles began featuring another kind of boot camp a year ago, now called Raw.

The San Fernando Valley's own incarnation of the challenging and regimented exercise program debuted in September. Led by three Valley fitness instructors, Cardio Boot Camp participants - ranging from recent college athletes to grandparents - pay $300 each to sweat for an hour before 8:30 a.m., Monday through Saturday, for four weeks. Camp leaders will even jolt you awake with a morning phone call, a not-so-gentle reminder to drag your body out of that warm bed.

Kick in the pants

Much of Cardio Boot Camp is devoted to cardiovascular activities. One morning might include jogging, the next day might mean maneuvering through obstacle courses. Power walking, hiking, aerobics and indoor cycling classes also make up the camp's regimen. The point is to raise your heart rate and metabolism through an assortment of exercises. The camp also promises lots of push-ups, sit-ups and lectures on nutrition.

``There's variety so people don't get bored and so you're never straining a specific muscle group,'' said Robin Hart Cohen, a certified personal trainer and camp leader from North Hollywood.

Participants who are embracing the tough workouts say the camp is working.

``I'm `G.I. Jane!' '' declared Elvia Gaitan of North Hollywood, after a recent morning session, sweat glistening on her face.

Cardio Boot Camp is far from a Navy SEAL program. There's no yelling at you. No spit in your eye. No camouflage clothes. No push-ups for bad behavior or a sassy mouth.

And the camp's military leader is quite amiable, with a voice that's more sing-songy than despotic. Stationed eight miles from the Iraqi border during his six months in Desert Storm, Stuart now is an aspiring actor trying to break into Hollywood.

Motivation factor

Despite the lack of shouting, punishment, back-breaking backpacks and grueling runs in heavy military boots, these modified boot camps for civilians work because they provide motivation, participants say.

The idea for Cardio Boot Camp can be traced to Cohen, who also is a personal trainer at a Burbank gym. Her clients, who diligently trained with weights, were ignoring cardiovascular activities.

``It's much more motivating than getting out there on your own,'' Cohen said.

Antonia Spiropoulos of Burbank thinks so too.

Exercise has always been a part of Spiropoulos' life. She trains with weights, runs and uses a treadmill. But working out recently began to get lonely. Her motivation dipped.

She now exercises at Cardio Boot Camp, where her absence would be conspicuous. It's just what she needed. ``I'm accountable. I can't walk away. ... No one is going to care if I walk into the gym,'' Spiropoulos added.

The camp's group arrangement also offers a built-in rigorous - yet supportive - athletic atmosphere, no matter what your fitness level.

While Spiropoulos can deftly knock off dozens of ``men's'' push-ups, some of her peers work just as hard to complete a handful of ``women's'' push-ups executed with knees instead of feet.

Getting results

Unlike real boot camp, words that inspire images of actress Demi Moore gritting her teeth through single-arm push-ups, Cardio Boot Camp accommodates everyone.

``We have all flavors here. I didn't want to be the only overweight person,'' said Dot Chance of Sunland, who signed up for the camp with her husband Bobby.

Although the pace of each camp session varies from person to person, recruits say the payoff is identical - better health.

Since Gaitan of North Hollywood enrolled in her first camp in September, her body fat, for example, has dropped from 32 percent to 26 percent.

Helen Parkinson, 76, of North Hollywood reports her blood pressure is the lowest it has been in seven years. ``After you leave, you get in your car and you are a hell of a lot more exhilarated to go into your office and work,'' Parkinson said.

At the end of the camp, students receive a certification of completion during a small ceremony. They will walk up, or jog, to the front of the group. Some will pump their arms over their shoulders as the theme song from the ``Rocky'' movies blares through a stereo.

While some recruits don't return for another camp tour, they'll likely remember the cold morning runs and chants.

``Suck it in!'' Stuart yells.

``Suck it in!'' the group responds.

``Blow it out.''

``Blow it out.''

``How you feel?''

``How you feel?''

``Tough, tough!''

``Tough, tough!''

``Lean, mean!''

``Lean, mean!''

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos

Photo: (1--Cover--Color) On the cover: Drill instructor Lawrence Stuart leads his charges through the fitness boot camp at Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Park.

(2) The recruits in Cardio Boot Camp are up with the sun at Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Park in Van Nuys.

(3) Drill instructor Lawrence Stuart takes the group through a stretching routine after their early-morning run.

Bob Halvorsen/Daily News