One morning in late October, I took a long look at my 50-something body in the mirror and decided it was time to get up off the couch and get fit.
I asked a friend at work if she would like to start going to the gym; she said no, but she would like to try spinning. Spinning — indoor cycling — was not something I’d ever really considered. It sounded like a vigorous, over-the-top form of exercise for someone like me. However, before I could change my mind, I registered online with our local indoor cycling studio and spent the weekend wondering if this was really a good idea after all!
Tuesday evening came and with much trepidation my friend and I arrived at the spin studio. We were met by one of the super fit Kristies who welcomed my friend and I and showed us how to adjust our bikes.
Another spinner called out “hello” and assured us we would be spinning properly in no time at all. Everyone seemed upbeat and happy and before we knew it, the lights were dimmed, the music had started and our first spin session was underway.
We had started with a Spin & Yin class which combined spinning with 30 minutes of yoga. This had been suggested to me by the owner Kristie as a good fit for a beginner spinner. She was right.
The 30-minute spin was hard for someone out of shape and unused to a bike as I was, but it wasn’t impossible. In fact, I found that you could go at your own pace and just do what felt reasonable.
When I got off the bike that first time my legs did feel wobbly. However, I hadn’t cried or died so all was good and I was looking forward to the stretching part of the class. Everyone grabbed a mat and chose a spot on the floor and the yoga began. At the end of it I felt refreshed and so pleased with myself for having done it. I went home feeling happy, knowing I would be back on Thursday.
I continued going to spinning throughout the winter. By the third week I felt that in fact I could do this spinning and that I was starting to feel great. I was sleeping better, had more energy and was using my own exercise bike at home once or twice a week to supplement my spin classes. By Christmas I could notice tightening in my butt, legs and even stomach, yay!
It is now April and I am still spinning. I have graduated to the power spin class led by the other formidably fit half of Kristie squared. I experienced anguish when I heard that there would be no spin class over the two weeks of spring break. Noooo!
I look slim and trim even to my own eyes and feel really great. I have even bought myself a helmet and started riding my son’s road bike.
The best thing about it all though, is this: when I am spinning and I look across at my reflection in the studio mirrors in the softly dimmed lights, I look exactly like everyone else. My body is moving up and down rhythmically with my bike and the music, I am young and strong and getting my spin on.
Frieda Gyurkovits
Castlegar