The word 'Spinning' comes only in three types of context for me, until yesterday - "The frisbee is spinning over the beach," and "my head was spinning with excitement..." and "the D.J. was spinning music..."
Yesterday, I stepped into the gym for the first time in 18 years, to check out a new form of 'spinning'. I have heard about it, but never had the time, guts and interest (in that priority) to get near a gym to attend any classes there.
I had to ask my Pilates instructor what it consisted of. That was more of a question out of curiosity than interest. Turned out, it was cycling! How odd, what a fancy name for cycling on a stationary bike.
Anyway, curiosity got the better out of me and I had some free time this week, so I read up on 'spinning' and then, checked if there were any free classes available under my club membership. Turned out there is at least a class everyday, so off I went yesterday to my first spinning class!
[Check this out - butts off the seat!]
I still found the gym totally intimidating. The only time I used a gym was during University years and that was because the indoor pool wasn't cheap to enter, the lanes were crowded and the chlorine smell stuck for days ... Swimming was my favorite exercise, I could swim 10km but will rather die than run the same distance! I (still) hate using my legs intensively and stitches would follow, almost without fail when I start any cardio exercises.
So back to the gym, the equipment today looks cool, sophisticated but only one thing made me smile - the thread mill. Brought back memories and I remembered how I enjoyed playing with the settings than jogging in it.
I chose a bike right at the back of the class and saw everyone else adjusting their bikes. Nice and pro-looking, but I was too lazy to learn how to, so I sat on a couple of bikes until I felt comfortable. Turned out that it was the perfect choice, the instructor double checked and said I have got everything right!
Sixty minutes of cardio went past fast. I didn't want to kill myself during my first class, especially when the instructor mentioned that it was very important that one slows down the pace of the spin, even if you are feeling giddy or nauseous. Gosh, how can you think straight when you are already at that stage? I will probably want to jump off the bike and lie flat on the ground!
So, slow and steady, I made it through and it was pretty amazing! At least now this is my top choice for burning calories: 400-500 calories within an hour. Beats my Bikram yoga and definitely jogging anytime. Variety of 'moves'? I prefer Zumba anytime. But I thoroughly enjoyed the pace of the class, with heart pumping music, combination of fast and slow moves plus strength training for the arms and back, this is quite the workout!
You can google 'spinning' or 'indoor cycling exercise' to learn more. I was glad I did my homework so I wore the right shoes, attire, brought a big bottle of water and the right position to place the towel over the handle bars. The little joys in life - taking the plunge to try out a new form of workout. I will be back... hopefully with my other half, who badly needs some form of exercise, besides weight lifting ( = carrying the kids down the stairs every morning while they are still in their 'snooze' mode).
