If you’re tired of paying gym fees but need the motivation of others to inspire your workouts, you might want to check out 45 Under the Bridge.

It’s an informal group of individuals who meet regularlyfor workouts led by participants. The routines vary, ranging from boot camp-style training to Kettlebells and bodyweight training. The workouts are 45 minutes and are held under the bridge at Moanalua Community Park — hence the name.

If you go, exercise at your own pace and within your limitations to avoid injury. And it’s best to know proper form to avoid injury since there are no professional trainers to make corrections, although advice is offered. And don’t forget to bring a mat and plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

Manu Pagaragan, a 38-year-old Kalihi resident, founded the group in December 2009 after multiple injuries in a series of accidents. Pagaragan said he tore his chest and tricep muscles and a tendon on his foot.

"During my recovery I needed to look for other activities that will keep me busy. I looked into Kettlebells and fell in love with them," he said. Pagaragan later delved into bodyweight exercises in which a person uses their own weight, not free weights, to provide resistance.

Pagaragan began working out on his own, but the group has grown to include more than 200 participants who drop in when they can. They range in age from 18 to 50 and are of various fitness levels.

"The group has a founder but no leader; everyone is responsible in the success of the group," Pagaragan said. "Different members create the workouts, which keeps things fresh and exciting."

The workout I attended began with a stretch and warmup with a sprint up the hill. The exercises were tough and included "suicides," common in basketball, where you perform continuous sprints between two points, touching the ground at the end of each length. All of the exercises we did that day started with 10 reps, followed by a brief rest period, then nine, rest, eight, rest and so on down to one. Like many other members of the group, I stopped at five (remember, the idea is to work at your own pace).

We performed forward and backward bear crawls, with hips in the air while moving on hands and feet, working abs, shoulders, glutes and legs. More traditional movements like squats and jumping jacks were thrown into the mix.

Donna Olayan, 44, of Ewa Beach was leading class that day. She’s been with the group since 2011 and tries to attend twice a week. She said she first joined the workouts because they are free but then discovered other benefits. "We push each other; it’s fun, friendly competition," she said.

It’s also a good place to stop on the way home and avoid rush-hour traffic.

The camaraderie of the 45 Under the Bridge has inspired members to get together outside of the workouts for camping trips and other activities. "They are a great bunch of people," Olayan said.

Although there are no fees, be warned: There’s an initiation known the "band run." An elastic resistance band is placed around your waist and around a second person trailing behind you. While the second person leans back, creating resistance, you run two lengths of a basketball court.

Everyone who has attended the workouts has completed the "band run," so how could I say no? It was a workout in itself.