ACKFIT: The Nantucket Beach Fitness Camp
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Starting back in 1998 and set against the picturesque backdrop of Jetties Beach on Nantucket, ACKfit is unique in its simplicity: internationally-recognized exercise physiologist Tom Holland, a handful of colored cones, four flags and more than 30 years of experience teaching group fitness. Every workout is designed to challenge everyone, from beginners to elite athletes, because each exercise can be scaled to any ability or fitness level. Throughout the camp, Tom teaches practical lessons about fitness, nutrition, and motivation, answers questions and even brings back a fiercely competitive adult version of Sharks and Minnows. But ACKfit is about more than exercise. It teaches the power of showing up every day and Tom’s philosophy of “Excessive Moderation” - doing a little, a lot. What began with just a few people eventually grew to nearly 100 campers, many of whom return year after year and have formed lifelong friendships along the way.
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FOX TV
Andrea Metcalf, host of Better on FOX, travels to Nantucket to experience ACKfit firsthand.![]()
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PLUM TV (2008)
Gordon McGregor from PLUM TV tries the camp out for himself.
Tom Holland MS, CSCS, CISSN
Tom Holland brings a rare combination of education, experience and real-world achievement to ACKfit. He holds a master’s degree in exercise science and sport psychology, is an adjunct professor, a certified sports nutritionist, the author of seven books and a nationally recognized fitness expert who has served as an expert witness in numerous fitness-related lawsuits. He is also an elite endurance athlete who has completed 28 Ironman triathlons and more than 80 marathons and ultramarathons. Yet what truly separates Tom is how he applies that knowledge: creating workouts that challenge people while minimizing risk, making every exercise scalable and ensuring that fitness remains safe, effective and, most importantly, fun
GREENWICH TIME
In August 2002, ACKfit received its first major press when the Greenwich Time featured the Nantucket Beach Fitness Camp on its front page. The story, “Shaping Up by the Shore,” captured what made the camp special from the beginning: challenging workouts for all abilities, an unforgettable beach setting and a community that made getting fit fun - even while on vacation.
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NantuCket LIFE Magazine
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I fled New York City every Friday in July and headed to Nantucket, where, in between feasting on the island cuisine (21 Federal, Galley Beach, and Lo La 41), I managed to cobble together my own more relaxed version of triathlon training. For starters, I covered almost every inch of the fifteen-mile-wide island on a vintage turquoise-and-white Schwinn rented from Cook’s Cycle Shop. (Young’s and Nantucket Bike Shop are also great.)... I heard rumors of sunrise yoga at Jetties but I never got up that early; if you don’t mind working out indoors, I recommend Shadow Yoga at YogaSmith and spinning, Pilates, and sculpting classes at the Nantucket Health Club.) I replaced running with speed walking, and made a quick dash to town (don’t miss the Capri-inspired sandal company Il Sandalo and Lady Bird Lingerie). I rounded out my training with beach walks and dune climbs on Surfside, Cisco, or Ladies (with stops for handstands and cartwheels) . The eleventh annual Nantucket Beach Fitness Camp—cardio drills, plyometric and agility stations, and team relays—organized by fitness expert Tom Holland will take place this week and next (spots are still open). Sadly, I will miss it as I’m spending my next two weekends on Lake Placid and the North Fork of Long Island where I look forward to discovering new ways to keep moving.
More Than a Workout
ACKfit is a proven outdoor fitness program built from more than 30 years of group-fitness experience and over two decades of real-world success on Nantucket. Interested in bringing the ACKfit experience to your own community? Visit the Start An ACKfit Camp page to learn more.