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Ex-convict to stream 'prison-style boot camp' fitness classes
A former convict will be streaming live workout sessions from his prison-style boot camp, as he attempts to expand his exercise programme beyond New York, USA.
Coss Marte developed the ConBody exercise programme for people living in small places – such as a cell block – while he was serving time in prison.
The ConBody programme – which does not use equipment and is based on military techniques – holds more than 40 classes each week and has around 400 clients. Marte is looking for further growth with the launch of ConBody Live Streaming on 1 September 2016.
The streaming service will include three 30-minute sessions each day, five days a week, with membership costing US$5 (£3.80) per month.
Marte’s boot camp is in a basement studio on Broome Street in New York, not far from where he used to be a drug dealer. The 30-year-old started dealing drugs at the age of 13. By 19, he was making US$2m a year but spent most of his teenage years in and out of prison.
At 23, the prison's medical team told Marte he could die in jail because of high blood pressure and high levels of cholesterol. Taking action, Marte lost 70 pounds in six months using his fitness regime.
On leaving New York’s Greene Correctional Facility in 2013, Marte began holding fitness classes in a park. He then received support from Defy Ventures, a New York-based organisation that offers formerly imprisoned people training on how to become entrepreneurs.
Four of the six trainers employed by Marte have served in prison. The other two grew up with relatives and friends who have been imprisoned.
With a slogan of “Do the time”, classes on offer at the boot camp include yoga, pilates, strength training and barra.