There has been no gym stuff stories of late so here goes...
One of my little goals this year was to join a spinning class. It's one of those elusive things for me, I don't know why. Maybe because I always have this notion, or more like fear based on experience, that I might not make it through, that I will pass out. I really haven't but then I had joined some hardcore cardio before (way different than dance class) and about midway through, I would get dizzy and harbor this "OMG I'm gonna pass out any minute now" feelings. Also, I find people who do spinning classes a little intimidating. Some have their cycling sneakers on and I feel a little bit beneath them.
Anyway, I don't know what got me to thinking but last Tuesday, I finally enlisted in one ctudio cycling class at 6:30 in the morning. It's one of those "now or never" moments. The bikes at that time were not fully booked. There were like less than ten people in class and I was maybe behind 5 minutes. I took the bike near the exit door and hurried to get on the saddle, eventually tripping off my water bottle and my towels on the floor. Of course, I didn't realize that the seat was too high for me, so I climbed out and readjusted the height and climbed back again. I began to pedal and then noticed that the distance of the seat to the handlebars was a little bit off for me, but I was too shy to readjust it again so I sucked it up and started listening to the instructor, a woman in probably her 30's. She must have sensed that I was a newbie but never bothered to acknowledge that fact. Instead, she went ahead and started spewing her usual spiel, constantly hearing the word "resistance," which apparently is this little knob on the front of the bike that you turn to for, well, applying resistance. I started to spin and began to feel this uncomfortable feeling in my butt like something's just not right, but I soldiered on.
When the instructor told us to stand up, the latch that held my right foot to the pedal suddenly flew off. Thank God it didn't jump that high and didn't cause much ruckus. Just a few girls who turned to my direction and I gave them this "this always happens to me" look. I needed to pretend I wasn't a virgin at this, but apparently, that moment gave it away. The instructor came to my bike, put the latch back on, but said nothing. I took that moment to be off the bike to readjust my seat and then I was having a ball ever since. She was talking about some hills that we needed to conquer and I conquered them, without a doubt. Actually I was a little distracted, but nevertheless, inspired. When she told us to close our eyes and imagine this one particular hill that needed conquering, my mind drifted off somewhere. Different motivation but with the same goal of reaching the finish line, nonetheless. Instead of boring hills, I mentally picture one of my hospital intern crushes who then takes off an article of clothing on every lap. With a smile on his face and a little wink, he's telling me that I knew what the prize is if I make to the end. This drove me to pedal really hard and fast. Hard and fast as I could, and then the instructor told us to open our eyes and my visual imagery vanished in a snap. It sucks! I didn't get to the point where he was completely naked! I finished the class and I was glad there was no "passing out" incident of any kind. I actually enjoyed it. Sure, my ass hurt afterwards but it was really fun. Something that I could do on a regular basis.
With this new-found confidence, I found myself in another class a few days after, this time with a different instructor, also female. I had ample time in my hands before the class started so I made sure my seat was adjusted to the lowest point and with just enough distance to the handlebars. I engaged my water bottle on the holder and placed my towels and then I started to warm up. I was getting comfy with my spinning when the instructor noticed me and asked, "Is this your first time?" I told her that it was actually my second. She told me that my seat was too low and I should get off the saddle. Uh-oh. My ultra-high confidence just went down the drain, now being replaced with shame and regret. I didn't find her rude at all, but she's just speaking with some authority that there's no room for me to disobey. She said she'd start the class to warm up the people and she'd get back to me. And she did.
First, we measured the height of my seat, which should correspond to the where my hipbone is (read about that before but totally forgot). Then the distance to the handlebars. Carefully she latched my feet on to the pedals, making sure they're snug enough. And then taught me how to use the resistance knob and the brakes. Honestly, the brakes were new to me. I didn't know they exist. And then with a few more tips like bringing my shoulders down and pushing my belly button to my spine, I was all set. The class proceeded without hassle. She'd check on me from time to time and I was glad that I didn't disappoint her again. The class was awesome. No imaginary hills bullsh*t this time. Just plain old cycling, turning up the resistance here and there. The music she used was way better, too. I thanked her after class and she told me that with a few minor touchups, I should be okay. And that my form is good. My what? I have form now? I'm really sooo getting into this spinning business. Why haven't I done this before is beyond me.
One of my little goals this year was to join a spinning class. It's one of those elusive things for me, I don't know why. Maybe because I always have this notion, or more like fear based on experience, that I might not make it through, that I will pass out. I really haven't but then I had joined some hardcore cardio before (way different than dance class) and about midway through, I would get dizzy and harbor this "OMG I'm gonna pass out any minute now" feelings. Also, I find people who do spinning classes a little intimidating. Some have their cycling sneakers on and I feel a little bit beneath them.
Anyway, I don't know what got me to thinking but last Tuesday, I finally enlisted in one ctudio cycling class at 6:30 in the morning. It's one of those "now or never" moments. The bikes at that time were not fully booked. There were like less than ten people in class and I was maybe behind 5 minutes. I took the bike near the exit door and hurried to get on the saddle, eventually tripping off my water bottle and my towels on the floor. Of course, I didn't realize that the seat was too high for me, so I climbed out and readjusted the height and climbed back again. I began to pedal and then noticed that the distance of the seat to the handlebars was a little bit off for me, but I was too shy to readjust it again so I sucked it up and started listening to the instructor, a woman in probably her 30's. She must have sensed that I was a newbie but never bothered to acknowledge that fact. Instead, she went ahead and started spewing her usual spiel, constantly hearing the word "resistance," which apparently is this little knob on the front of the bike that you turn to for, well, applying resistance. I started to spin and began to feel this uncomfortable feeling in my butt like something's just not right, but I soldiered on.
When the instructor told us to stand up, the latch that held my right foot to the pedal suddenly flew off. Thank God it didn't jump that high and didn't cause much ruckus. Just a few girls who turned to my direction and I gave them this "this always happens to me" look. I needed to pretend I wasn't a virgin at this, but apparently, that moment gave it away. The instructor came to my bike, put the latch back on, but said nothing. I took that moment to be off the bike to readjust my seat and then I was having a ball ever since. She was talking about some hills that we needed to conquer and I conquered them, without a doubt. Actually I was a little distracted, but nevertheless, inspired. When she told us to close our eyes and imagine this one particular hill that needed conquering, my mind drifted off somewhere. Different motivation but with the same goal of reaching the finish line, nonetheless. Instead of boring hills, I mentally picture one of my hospital intern crushes who then takes off an article of clothing on every lap. With a smile on his face and a little wink, he's telling me that I knew what the prize is if I make to the end. This drove me to pedal really hard and fast. Hard and fast as I could, and then the instructor told us to open our eyes and my visual imagery vanished in a snap. It sucks! I didn't get to the point where he was completely naked! I finished the class and I was glad there was no "passing out" incident of any kind. I actually enjoyed it. Sure, my ass hurt afterwards but it was really fun. Something that I could do on a regular basis.
With this new-found confidence, I found myself in another class a few days after, this time with a different instructor, also female. I had ample time in my hands before the class started so I made sure my seat was adjusted to the lowest point and with just enough distance to the handlebars. I engaged my water bottle on the holder and placed my towels and then I started to warm up. I was getting comfy with my spinning when the instructor noticed me and asked, "Is this your first time?" I told her that it was actually my second. She told me that my seat was too low and I should get off the saddle. Uh-oh. My ultra-high confidence just went down the drain, now being replaced with shame and regret. I didn't find her rude at all, but she's just speaking with some authority that there's no room for me to disobey. She said she'd start the class to warm up the people and she'd get back to me. And she did.
First, we measured the height of my seat, which should correspond to the where my hipbone is (read about that before but totally forgot). Then the distance to the handlebars. Carefully she latched my feet on to the pedals, making sure they're snug enough. And then taught me how to use the resistance knob and the brakes. Honestly, the brakes were new to me. I didn't know they exist. And then with a few more tips like bringing my shoulders down and pushing my belly button to my spine, I was all set. The class proceeded without hassle. She'd check on me from time to time and I was glad that I didn't disappoint her again. The class was awesome. No imaginary hills bullsh*t this time. Just plain old cycling, turning up the resistance here and there. The music she used was way better, too. I thanked her after class and she told me that with a few minor touchups, I should be okay. And that my form is good. My what? I have form now? I'm really sooo getting into this spinning business. Why haven't I done this before is beyond me.
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2 comments:
Sounds awful!
lol
Just kiddin'. As someone who touts the importance of tackling the scary on a regular basis, I'm really proud of you!
Just don't spin out...we'd miss you.
:)
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