Are you the type of person who likes to try new things? I’m always ready for new hobbies, new foods, new music, and new places. But I can’t recall trying a new form of exercise in many, many years.
Before embarking on any new fitness activity, check with your medical provider to see if it’s a good fit for you!
Why would I treat exercise differently than the rest of my life, especially considering that I do it on a daily basis? It was my sister Carol who suggested that I might be getting bored with my old routine – that I need new challenges. Why not try a spin class?
It’s probably a lack of confidence in my case. I’ve never been athletic, or even well coordinated. As a child, I was told that I was a “klutz.” Sound familiar? I thought I’d feel foolish doing something challenging and new – in a room full of strangers. I’m not young, and not in particularly good shape, but at this point in my life, I am up for something new.
I took a chance and headed for the nearest CycleBar, in Heathrow, Florida. It’s such a beautiful facility, full of upbeat people and shiny equipment. The cycling room is dark but with colorful lights – puts you in the mood for riding to the beat of the music. The darkness also takes the focus off you and comparing yourself to others. (It was a diverse group with a wide range of abilities.)
The most unusual part is the special shoes that clip onto the bike. Wasn’t sure why that was necessary, until it was! Oops! I didn’t realize that you stand while you cycle. I haven’t done that since I was a child. My first attempt was awkward, but I eventually figured out the rhythm – it’s just something you have to experience firsthand.
We also did some upper body work with weighted bars that are stored on the front of the bikes. I really enjoyed that part which surprised me. It took my mind off my legs! The ride ended with some nice stretches for both upper and lower body. It’s great to finish up that way, and hopefully it will help with sore muscles.
There was one negative, which I did read about in advance: the saddle. It’s surely not designed for comfort. But maybe that pushes you more to stand up and work harder? It’s not a huge issue, but know going in that it’s not a cushy seat.
The cycles record a lot of data which is available to you after the ride through the CycleBar app. It will be fun to see improvements over time. I will definitely push a bit harder next time!
Here is a photo with my instructor, Nicole. She really helped me through the process, as did Alana in the office. All in all, a positive experience! Give it a try when your old workouts need an intensity boost!
When writing this post, I had some difficulty categorizing it as simply exercise. So many of my thoughts about trying a new and more difficult type of movement are caught up in old life experiences, which makes this a form of self-care. Exercise is also self-care, but I feel that reaching out into a new place puts this more squarely in the self-care category.
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