When I was a kid, my cousin, Ben, would torture us with various methods: he would say things like, “put your two pointer fingers together, I bet one of them is longer than the other.” When we would put them together, tip to tip, he would quickly wrap his hand around them and drag us around yelling, “Chinese torture!” He also had this horrible thing called the “Iron Finger.” Fortunately, it was usually John Mark that got this, but he would sit on John’s stomach, pin his shoulders to the ground with his knees and tap him repeatedly on the chest. His finger was so strong that it wouldn’t bend! It was always funny at first, but then it would turn to misery when he wouldn’t stop!
Last night, I thought about yelling, “Chinese torture!” myself when I attended my first “Endurance” Spin class. It seemed fun at first, but quickly turned to misery. In fact, when I finished the only thing I could say was this: I didn’t throw up, pass out, or have a heartattack. But man, was I in pain! You can ride all day long on a stationary bike and use the little pre-programmed things to work out, but honey, it can NEVER compare to this. There were times when my legs and ankles were so exhausted that if my feet had not been clipped to the bike pedals, I probably would have fallen off. And the instructor kept saying, “You should be winded, but not out of breath!” YEAH RIGHT! There are two things that I did like about the class, though. One: I did not quit. I made it through the entire class. Two: I burned over 800 calories in 45 minutes.
I’m so sore this morning… EVERYTHING hurts. My ankles, my knees, my shoulders, my abs, and especially my butt from sitting on that bike seat! Before I got in the shower last night, I went ahead and took an Aleve, but it didn’t help.
They tell me I should do Spin 3 to 4 times a week, but I seriously think I would die. I laid down after the class last night and actually said my prayers. Just in case I had a heartattack, I wanted everything to be square with the Big Guy, ya know? Plus, I think in my heart, I may have sworn once or twice during that class.
I’m going back next Tuesday.

3 comments
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February 18, 2009 at 10:18 pm
deb
Ok, so I really need to jump on your wagon with you….I so need to work out!!!! We R thinking about joining LA Fitness, but don’t know where in the world we’d find time to do it…..Luv ya
Proud of ya
February 23, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Brandy B.
I just wanted to say how proud of you I am for being so devoted to this fitness thing! I know how hard it is (not that I have ever took a spin class, cause I haven’t totally lost my mind like you) but keep up the good work!
August 17, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Beth Machado
Just had to say….I have done 1 spin class in my life and totally relate to everything you said….especially saying prayers in case you had a heart attack (ROFL!!!) it’s no joke. I can’t remember very well, but I think I quit after about 20-30 mins. bc I swore my heart was skipping beats or something AND the instructors do say “You should only be winded at this point.” Never in my life had I or have I exercised like that. I’ll need to do that come Jan/Feb next year though. You made me laugh….love the blog too!