Spin Class: Chapters 1-4

Once upon a time, I made a New Years Goal to take a spin class.  My idea was that I would take one every week from January 1 until the wedding, and look like a svelte, hot model on my wedding day.

What I failed to account for was that I was chicken.  I woke up in time every Wednesday morning, but I scared myself  and would go for a run instead.  Then one Tuesday in March, I had a dress fitting, and while the dress zipped, I couldn’t sit down (that’s a whole other story for another time!).  The next morning, I woke my ass out of bed and went to spin class. 

{Chapter 1}

I told the teacher (her name was Sarah) that it was my first time spinning.  She explained how to set up the bike so that I wouldn’t bounce around and injure myself.  And then it was time.  I was so nervous but I tried to treat the class like yoga class.  If the class was in a “run” but I couldn’t stay standing that long, I’d just sit down and get up when I felt ready.  By mid-class, I felt more awake than if I had had a giant iced coffee.   What a rush!  I was hooked.

{Chapter 2}

The following week, I took another class with the same teacher.  I was loving the music selection (all fun pop music like the new Jlo and Britney songs!) and I was getting stronger.  By the end of the class, the other women in the class recognized me from last week and told me how strong I looked, and gave me tips for “running” that would make it easier (like turning up the resistance so you’re not bouncing around all over the place!).  I started chatting with one girl about running and the Broad Street Run.  I never believed that people made friends in the gym, but maybe they do.

{Chapter 3}

The week before the wedding, I took off from work.  I refused to make it to my regular 615am spin class, so I took a 630pm spin class.  The teacher was good, but he was older and not nearly as energetic as Sarah was.  He played songs like the Beatles, and the class kinda dragged.  But it was still great to sweat.it.out. and melt off some stress.  Oh – I should mention, that at this point I could sit down in my wedding gown.  Maybe it was the spin class, maybe it was the salads I was eating at lunch… but I think it was spin class.

{Chapter 4}

After my last spin class, I was hesitant to go back.  I felt like maybe since the last class was kind of boring, I wasn’t going to like it anymore.  (read: I tried to talk myself out of it again.)  But I didn’t feel like running and I needed to sweat, so I went.  And for the first time, I was able to get through the entire class without having to sit when the class was standing.  I think part of it was the teacher (unfortunately not Sarah!) is training for a triathalon so she had us focused on endurance and speed, which I prefer to the hills.  But also I can feel myself getting stronger, and it’s so fulfilling. 

I’ve been having a hard time getting motivated for running lately, but spin class makes me smile.  And as an added bonus, every time I hear the new Jlo song (On the floor) or the new Britney song (Til the world ends) it makes me excited to get back to class and rock out.  Who doesn’t like to spend 45 minutes jamming out? 

Anyway, sorry for the wordy post with no pictures!  Have you ever taken a class that freaked you out?  Did you end up liking it?