At “Camp Soul,” an adult fitness camp run by Utah Starzz guard Jennifer Azzi, participants have extra incentive to resist the urge to crawl back under the covers. They have a chance to work out with Azzi, a world-class athlete and Olympic gold medalist who is regarded as one of the best-conditioned athletes around. It’s an opportunity worth waking up for.

"Motivating people to take charge of their health is what our camps are all about,” said Azzi, who has been running fitness camps for several years. “Unfortunately, most people do not make time for exercise, which is as important to our health as eating and drinking. I am hoping that people who attend one of our camps will take control of their lives and enjoy a regular fitness routine.”

The next round of camps, which run for five weeks, will begin January 13 in Salt Lake City and consist of either morning (5:45-7:15 a.m.) or evening (5:30-7 p.m.) sessions. Campers meet on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for 90-minute workouts consisting of jogging, stretching, interval training, and circuit training in the weight room.

Each session of Camp Soul begins with an inspirational quote of the day, part of the focus on total health and wellness that Azzi believes is such an important part of the fitness equation . “A healthy lifestyle begins with the total person, not just the physical self,” she explains in the camp mission statement.

Azzi, who turned 34 in August, first gained attention for her phenomenal conditioning in college. She powered Stanford to the NCAA title in 1990 while claiming the Wade Trophy and Naismith Player of the Year honors along the way. But her well-toned physique is a result of a philosophy that encompasses more than that of your average gym rat.

While dieting and fitness fads have come and gone, Azzi has long been a proponent of the importance of overall balance in life. She believes that a fitness program should include a comprehensive plan of physical and emotional well-being, and Camp Soul advocates long-term health that goes far beyond a simple five-week program.

“We can jump start and motivate, but ultimately people need to change from the inside out and decide to make fitness a consistent part of their lives,” said Azzi. “We hope to facilitate that change."