Tuesday, June 3, 2014

adventures in exercise: spin class ed.

Once upon a time in college, I took a spin class.

I don't think it went well. I can't say that for sure, but since the only memories I retain about the experience are the sensation of excruciating pain and severe strobe-light-induced nausea, it leads me to believe that spin class wasn't really my thing. Ever since that class, I've had a pretty extreme fear and aversion to spin classes. I see you in there on your bikes going nowhere. Have fun getting skinny. I'll be out here doing ANYTHING THAT ISN'T THAT.

But at some point you just get sick of letting your fears run your life. I mean, choosing workout classes isn't really a Real Life Problem, per se, but it is something I do a couple of times a week. And it started annoying me that I automatically ruled out half of the classes offered at convenient times at my gym because they happen to be spin classes. Why? Based on one fuzzy memory of something I tried over a decade ago and didn't like? What if I used that logic on everything in life? One bad taco=NEVER EAT MEXICAN FOOD AGAIN? Um, no. One mealy apple=NEVER EAT FRUIT AGAIN? This is terrible logic.

So yesterday I decided to conquer my fears and take a spin class. Here's some of the logical facts I used to convince myself to try it:

1. I like riding my (real) bike. So spinning won't be that bad, plus there's no risk of dogs chasing after me and trying to kill me! Or getting hit by a car!

2. Low impact. This is important when you're anciently old like me.

3. Summer=no/less college kids=less judgy people in spin classes. Good time to try it out.

4. The Biggest Loser contestants that seem to maintain the healthiest lifestyles post-show all do spinning. Therefore it must be great. I will probably get skinny after one class!

5. I'm 80% sure they don't have a strobe light (public enemy #1) in the spin room at this gym.

6. I'm in pretty good shape. Surely this won't be that bad. Maybe I was just really out of shape in college (that's not remotely true, but I'm not beyond lying to myself just to be convincing).

7. It's only an hour. I can do anything for an hour.

With all of those thoughts resonating in my head and Matt dragging me by the arm, I bravely entered the spin studio. Matt's a relative expert at spinning, having taken two classes in the last five months, so I was glad to have him there to show me the ropes.

And then it started. And then I died. And now I am Ghost Erika on Jelly Legs, coming from beyond the grave to report back that ALL OF MY LOGIC FAILED ME and my college memories were 100% accurate. Spinning is NOT FUN.

I mean, I survived the class. But at what cost? Why all the ancillary pain, Spin Class? I understand pain related to muscles getting stronger. I accept the pain in my thighs and calves-- it is for a purpose. But why the awful tiny seats that cause horrible and fruitless butt pain?!?! Why the weird pedals and clip things that make my feet fall asleep while I'm furiously pedaling, the weirdest paradox ever? These things I cannot accept. I don't appreciate EXTRA pain that has no purpose. Ugh.

So...yeah. A decade and twenty-five extra pounds later, I still don't like spin class. But despite that, I think I'll try it at least once more before I swear it off for another decade or six. I have padded bike shorts that I wear when I ride my bike outside...maybe those would help with the butt pain situation. And maybe I'll Google and see if I can figure out how to get my feet to not fall asleep. And maybe I'll grow miraculously stronger overnight so that my legs don't want to break off after like...the warm up. I mean, I might be lazy and inclined to complain, but I'm not a quitter. So I want to feel like I really gave spinning a fair chance. But seriously. Ugh. Why do people like this??!

19 comments:

  1. I'm too scared to try a spin class too! My toes sometimes go numb on the elliptical and I know my butt isn't made for a bike seat so I'm pretty sure spinning isn't made for me either.

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  2. I'm with the comment above me! I'm going to stick to running!

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  3. I had a friend convince me in college to take an 8am spin class with her as a PE. Please note that I had already taken my PE (golf, which I chose for it's lack of strenuous activity) and we were 5th year Seniors. No way in heck I was getting up at 8am for an entire semester. I dropped it after just a few weeks and have not done it again since.

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  4. Padded bike shorts, yes! When I was doing spin I went to Walmart and bought one of those padded bike seat covers which helped tremendously. It takes a couple classes but the butt pain does go away. During particularly hard workouts, I like to stare into the mirror and ask "Am I skinny yet?". Somehow it's motivating. Hopefully the next class doesn't leave you traumatized.

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    1. Oh and I gave up trying to keep up with the crazy people training for triathlons or whatever they were doing. In the beginning I just went at my own pace and didn't up the resistance quite as high as they were telling me to. I was still seeing results and feeling the burn.

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  5. I HATE... LOATHE spin class.. there are few things that I will NEVER do again and that it top of the list. Accidentally wound up in a TWO HOUR spin class, it was the worst experience of my life.. never again!

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  6. Spin class is the DEVIL! I swear, I felt like someone beat me with a crowbar in some very unfortunate places for a week after my one and only experience. Kudos to you for repeating it again (and again)... hope your legs are SUPER skin for all of your effort after this torture!

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  7. I'm not the biggest fan :/ It really just tears up my knees! I did do it occasionally before my tri. So many people at our gym love it though!

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  8. I am one of those weirdos who LOVES spin class. I LOVE it. It is, by far, my favorite class offered at the gym. Yes, I did think I was going to die and watched the tv outside of the room for the entire class the first time I took one. The second class wasn't much better, but by the third one, I was hooked!

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  9. I did a 6am spin class with my youth once. I thought I was going to die. Yes, butt pain. Yes, toes falling asleep. Yes, complete and utter torture. Never again.

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  10. I love spin...yup call me crazy! You need to find a beginner class with an instructor who will show you how to get your bike ready and give you much needed tips to help with numb feet. If you only take classes without proper instruction you'll never grow to like it...trust me! You're a strong, healty and fit girl...you will like spin!!!

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  11. Ditto to the unnecessary butt pain… how did we ride bikes so often as kids without this issue? Maybe because it was for fun and not torture!

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  12. Spin class just never looked appealing to me. And it seems vaguely cult-like? Sorry, but no thank you. I'll take my Zumba, please!

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  13. I have never tried spin class for all of these reasons! But mainly because I fear I might die in the first three minutes (or seconds). Proud of your effort!!

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  14. I somehow missed this post. At my gym we do spin/lift so 15 minutes on the bike then lifting then back to the bike then lifting. Makes it so much nicer. I've done one 45 minute spin and I wanted to fake a cramp or something. I have my moments but it is a good cardio so I roll with it.

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  15. I loved spin class in college! It was rough, but I saw results after a month or so! Unfortunately I do not have a gym near me that offers spin class.

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  16. I have really want to try it, so badly. I worry about the butt pain even though I have plenty of God given natural padding back there.

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  17. The few times I did a spin class last year it felt like a dump truck hit me in my va-jay-jay. NO BUENO!

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