Spinning at 5:30 am

My new year includes several trips to the gym during the week. It's good to get back into better habits, take risks etc. Yes risks. My most recent gym risk?  Spinning. 

Now "Spinning" sounds easy enough. The idea is that you "Spin" the pedals on your bike to the speed and resistance indicated by the instructer. Sort of sounds like fun doesn't it? Read On.

It does of course have a "Fancy Pants" stationary bike that you ride, again sounds easy enough but as you approach the bike for the first time, you think, No Way ..You search around and adjust seat, bars, and pedals. Oh that's right, You've never done that. Well, just do the best you can.  Strap the pedals on, climb on the seat and YEOuw, the seat immediatley becomes your nemisis.......then there's the time of day. 5:30 am. I'm a morning person for sure but getting up at 4:40 to get in line.....yes get in line for a number to attend the class is a bit unreal even for me.

Oh yes, then there is the instructer.  Patti, it's a perky name.  Oh yes, Patti is perky and I must also mention she is a complete "stud".  This woman can ride a Bike, out of the saddle, with the "Retention" knob maxed out ++++++++++ while calling out a cadence, ordering you up and down and all around on the bike while calling out encouraging words to those that are 5 mins from 911. Bright, Cherry, Loud. Yes, gotta love Patti. 

Finally, to even further intimidate a first, second or third timer.....the participants. The participants in the "Front Row" Can I just say, "Holy Smokes". For example, the couple in front of me today looked to be maybe 28. 6'4, 220lbs (the guy) 5'4 100lbs (the girl). solid muscle with those "Bike" legs like my son the "Cyclist" has from years of riding.  You know, the thighs almost as big as his waist. Chiseled Calves. Can ride the session standing up, yes standing up with NO HANDS. Recipe for disaster in the "Back Row"

Oh yes, then there's the "Back Row" folks, which include me and a 60 yr old man (we celebrated his BD after class, but I didn't eat the cake" and another woman that is probably around my age but I'm going to say she's older. Yes, us "Back Row" folks moan, groan and can barely get up out of the saddle but we are there.  Let's just say it's an exercise, an exercise in humility and sweat.

So in closing, today I celebrate, I made it through the entire 60 minute class. That doesn't mean I performed every move, but i made it through the class without stopping. I will do this one more time in the "Back Row", then I'm moving myself up. Hopefully, by then I'll be able to keep the moaning to a minimum. I'm glad the music is loud.

Mamabus