My first spinning class

Yesterday I went to my first spinning class at the NYSC. Before I describe how it went, let me detail how much exercise I have done in the past 10 years...

Ok, now that you understand how in shape I am, [for those of you wondering if I left out the part about my past exercise, please note that nothing was entered and infer your own conclusions] I went to the gym at 5:30. I got changed, grabbed a towel and went up stairs to hit some weights before class. I worked out for a bit, and I walked on the treadmill for about 20 minutes. Then I headed down for class...

The people that do spinning classes are crazy. They are self-loathing, masochistic, insane people that have no sense of anything other than how to punish themselves.

I love it.

We warm up, and the instructor gives me the normal positions in a spinning class. I think "Only 3 positions? OK, easy to remember." We spin for a bit, standing, sitting, fast, slow. I am now dripping with sweat like a shaggy dog who just got a bath. I am sure people are worried about me. My face is purple, there are puddles forming below me. I am panting.

Finally, the instructor states to sit upright and stretch out the arms and shoulders. I look at the clock. 5 MINUTES HAVE PASSED!?!?!?! Are you kidding? I look around and no one else has broken a sweat. They are all size 00 girls some of which, this is their second back-to-back class. I am starting to get the dreaded feeling that I will not make it through the class.

With every 2 minutes, the instructor yells "reach down and increase the tension!". I am pretending to turn it. There is no way I can. I am now sweating from every pore in my body, and it stings in my eyes. I hate this class. I hate the instructor and I hate these stupid girls.

I look at the clock again. 15 MINUTES HAVE PASSED. The instructor is promising a 4 minute break coming up, after 3 more hill climbs, each one requiring more tension, more standing, and a lot more effort. Looking forward to the break, I put in the effort.

When I was thinking "break", I was imagining sitting somewhere, like a hammock, on a beach, coconut drink in hand, etc. Seriously, I didn't think it meant less tension and FASTER PEDDALING! What is wrong with these people?!?!

I made it through the class, with more effort that I have ever put in to anything since high school wrestling practice. I fought down the need to vomit in class 3 separate times, and I stumbled out of the room as the instructor was asking if people wanted to stay for an "abdominal workout". I fought down the urge to flip her the bird, but in a strange way, I liked it. I liked killing myself on the bike. They were achieving a WIN in a fictional race, while I was simply concerned with FINISHING.

I will go back. For now, maybe twice a week for spinning class. The rest of the week on the weights and the treadmill. Soon I will attempt the class 3 times a week, until I can achieve the class, and not simply pass it.