As it sometimes happens in life, three days went by without taking a single class. So when Monday arrived, I new that I had to grab the bull by the horns and get back in the saddle (literally). The saddle turned out to be a bicycle seat and the horns, handlebars. I took Chantal's early morning indoor cycling class and rounded out my day with another one of Olga's high energy dance-based classes.
I am going to be completely honest with you. I was avoiding our indoor cycling classes. It was not something I was looking forward to but something I was determined to include as a part of this 30-day challenge. I was hoping that my schedule would work out so that I could take the cycle class on day number 30. It would be my crowning achievement! Well, not so much. On Sunday night, I realized that unless I sat down and scheduled the remainder of my classes, I was not going to be able to make my goal. It just so happened that I was going to have to take some early morning classes. And what classes start at the crack of dawn? You got it...indoor cycling!
I learned a lot about myself and cycling in Chantal's class. If you are attending this class for the first time, pay very close attention to my advice. You will thank me for it later.
First, think long and hard about your apparel. Wear as little as possible as you will sweat a lot. Also, think about padding. Yes, padding. Both for your seat and for your...well, seat. I discovered (after the fact) that nearly every person in the room came prepared with either a gel seat cover (that you can purchase at most big box or cycle stores for about $15) or a pair of padded britches. These are bicycle shorts with cushions built into the tush. Trust me when you say you will need these things. Knowing nothing about what to wear, I wore a ten-year-old pair of Nike swimtrunks. Big mistake. Fortunately, I had a pair of sweatpants with me. I balled them up and tried sitting on them like a pillow. Sadly, as soon as I stood up to ride the bike in a standing posture, the sweat pants fell off and I had to return to sitting on a seat that felt like a rock. Pardon the frank language, but my butt hurt for three days. Of course, I'm sure this sort of soreness is not typical, but seeing as I am planning to go to another cycle class, I wasted no time in purchasing a gel seat. The padded shorts will have to wait. I find it ironic that I have to buy padded shorts that make my butt look bigger when truthfully taking these classes is hopefully in an effort to make my butt look smaller. Just something to think about.
The class turned out to be quite fun. Chantal did a great job getting me set up on my bike, explaining how to adjust things as necessary. She had a good repport with her class participants and made sure to let us know that we could work at our own pace as necessary. For the most part, I felt like I was able to keep up. That was due primarily to the fact that the bikes allow you to adjust the tension on the bike as you see fit or as your instructor indicates. Indoor cycle classes mirror an outdoor ride with uphill stretches (more bike tension) or flat or downhill stretches (less tension). I would highly recommend that you don't go crazy with the tension knob during your first class. I kept the tension pretty low throughout and it was still a challenging workout.
The three basic cycle postures are sitting, standing, and leaning (think Lance Armstrong). While it was definitely a challenge, being able to rotate between the three made it much easier. Chantal did a good job of letting us know what was coming next so we felt prepared and ready for the next transition.
Later the same evening, I took yet another class with my friend Olga over at the Thornton Y. This is my third class with Olga. As I may have said before there is a certain spontaneity that I like about Olga's class. She seems neither unprepared or overplanned. She strikes a good balance of having her choreography in mind but she is flexible depending on what the music or the energy of the class calls for. This class was strictly Latin Dance and Olga was clearly in her element. She is a gifted dancer but she makes the moves accessible to everyone giving guidance but allowing everyone to just do their own thing and have fun. It's very hard to feel self-concious in the class. Only about half of the people in the room have any kind of rhythm but nobody really cares because the class is just about having fun. The exercise seems as if it is more of a side effect than anything. Throughout the class Olga dances around the space interacting with people and encouraging them to move around the room (no easy feat as the class is always pretty full). Class participants move around or stand in place improvising from time to time when Olga instructs class to "do their own thing" at the end of some songs.
After class I spent some time talking to Olga. She teaches almost everything (except step) and I'm sure I will make my way to those classes at some point. For now, if you are new to group excercise and want to start off with a fun and low-pressure (not to mention low-lighting) class, I suggest Olga's Latin Dance class. If you want a harder workout, all you have to do is try and keep up with Olga's energy and you'll get what you came for.
Chantal teaches indoor cycling at the Dickenson YMCA on Mondays from 5:30am-6:30am. She teaches additional classes at Dickenson and South Neighborhood YMCA's. For more information visit www.ymcatulsa.org.
Olga teaches a variety of classes at Thornton YMCA. For information on classes taught by Olga, please see my earlier postings or visit www.ymcatulsa.org. Latin Dance is taught on Mondays at Thornton from 5:30pm-6:25pm.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
January 21st: Get a bigger ball!
I first met Marla some time ago. I remember thinking what a nice person she was. Petite and mild-mannered she reminded me a little bit of my younger sister. I suspected that her class would be pretty easy with lots of positive affirmations and maybe even some inspirational quotes.
There were a few affirmations, no quotes, and a good dose of butt-kicking.
Marla is deceptively strong. Beneath her kind exterior, lies a wild beast ready to pounce. Okay, maybe that's being a little melodramatic, but she was tough. Men have come to her class and have never returned (seriously). Of course, there are a core group of women that have managed to stay the course. One of them turned to me early in the class and said "That's not heavy enough. Get a bigger ball!" With a determined grimace on my face, I grabbed a larger medicine ball and commenced my workout.
Marla's version of FUNctional Training was a challenge. It is a pretty rapid fire rotation of strength training and cardio. The beauty of the class was the variety of exercises. Granted, like many classes, there were sets of the same exercise, but Marla really made it fun through variety and maintaining a steady pace. She was also one of the only instructors that I have actually heard make reference to the "Mind & Body" connection, which is something that the YMCA believes very strongly in. As a matter of fact, the triangle in the YMCA logo represents the balance and unity of the spirit, mind, and body. I was so glad that one of our instructors was making sure to emphasize the importance of that concept. Marla's class was also a great demonstration of the connection. I felt that Marla did a great job motivating the class participants and encouraging us to succeed. Our mental state allowed us to push ourselves a little harder physically.
This class can certainly be modified for folks who have injuries (Marla did a great job advising a participant who had a lower back injury) or for those who need a lower-impact workout. That being said, don't expect easy. Marla wants people to really receive maximum benefits from her class and will not let you slack off. On the upside, she really is a good instructor and managed to keep even the most unruly of her students in line.
You can attend Marla's FUNctional training class on Thursdays at the South Neighborhood YMCA from 5:30pm-6:25pm.
There were a few affirmations, no quotes, and a good dose of butt-kicking.
Marla is deceptively strong. Beneath her kind exterior, lies a wild beast ready to pounce. Okay, maybe that's being a little melodramatic, but she was tough. Men have come to her class and have never returned (seriously). Of course, there are a core group of women that have managed to stay the course. One of them turned to me early in the class and said "That's not heavy enough. Get a bigger ball!" With a determined grimace on my face, I grabbed a larger medicine ball and commenced my workout.
Marla's version of FUNctional Training was a challenge. It is a pretty rapid fire rotation of strength training and cardio. The beauty of the class was the variety of exercises. Granted, like many classes, there were sets of the same exercise, but Marla really made it fun through variety and maintaining a steady pace. She was also one of the only instructors that I have actually heard make reference to the "Mind & Body" connection, which is something that the YMCA believes very strongly in. As a matter of fact, the triangle in the YMCA logo represents the balance and unity of the spirit, mind, and body. I was so glad that one of our instructors was making sure to emphasize the importance of that concept. Marla's class was also a great demonstration of the connection. I felt that Marla did a great job motivating the class participants and encouraging us to succeed. Our mental state allowed us to push ourselves a little harder physically.
This class can certainly be modified for folks who have injuries (Marla did a great job advising a participant who had a lower back injury) or for those who need a lower-impact workout. That being said, don't expect easy. Marla wants people to really receive maximum benefits from her class and will not let you slack off. On the upside, she really is a good instructor and managed to keep even the most unruly of her students in line.
You can attend Marla's FUNctional training class on Thursdays at the South Neighborhood YMCA from 5:30pm-6:25pm.
January 19th: Snake Hands
If you haven't yet met Lilik, the bellydancing guru, make sure to stop by and say hello. You don't even have to take the class. Just find some time with this lady because she is a fireball. You'll enjoy her charisma and her energy. She is just a lovely, happy person and a joy to talk to.
Before class I spent some time chatting with Lilik. Not only is she a very talented dancer but she is creative in other ways as well. We were talking about these small handcrafted trees that she makes (and incidentally sells at the Philbrook Museum during the Festival of Trees). Not only is she an artist, but she is crafty as well. In class, I discovered from talking to one of the participants that Lilik also makes bellydancing sarongs. You know, the brightly colored ones that jingle when you shake your bon-bon.
Fortunately, I did not have to wear one of the jingly sarongs. As I walked into class, Lilik immediately rushed up to me and handed me a black sarong with lace and fringe. Who was I to tell her no? I wrapped the sarong around my waist and gave it a test drive shaking my hips back and forth. Try not to visualize the image...it wasn't pretty.
In any case, the class was a good mix of experience levels. There were a couple of very nice women who had taken the class long enough that the dance moves seemed like second nature to them. There were also several of us who were completely new to the experience. Lilik was especially supportive of each of us and even pushed us outside our comfort zones. Those of us who lurked in the back of the room hoping to fade into the woodwork were quickly ushered to the front of the room, taking our turn in leading the group. Before I knew it, I was bellydancing! While not nearly as graceful or interesting to watch as Lilik, I was definitely holding my own.
I think that Lilik does a brilliant job teaching the dance steps. She makes sure that everyone has learned one dance step, practiced it many times, and has an opportunity to ask questions before she moves on. Eventually, she begins adding steps to the sequence, one dance move at a time, which makes learning easier. While I had several favorite steps, I think the one that was the most fun was called "snake hands" during which your arms become fluid and move up and down in an s-shaped curve. At the end of the class, Lilik even gave us a demonstration of "expert" bellydancing utilizing all of the moves we learned in class and adding the finger cymbals that the art form is known for.
While this class was certainly a workout, it was not at all overwhelming. It was fun. I would recommend this class to anyone who is interested in learning something new and getting some exercise in at the same time.
Lilik teaches Belly Dancing at the R.C. Dickenson Family YMCA on Wednesdays from 10:30 AM-11:30 AM
She teaches at South Neighborhood YMCA on Fridays from 10:30 AM-11:30 AM
She teaches at Thornton Family YMCA on Tuesdays from 6:30 PM-7:45 PM
Before class I spent some time chatting with Lilik. Not only is she a very talented dancer but she is creative in other ways as well. We were talking about these small handcrafted trees that she makes (and incidentally sells at the Philbrook Museum during the Festival of Trees). Not only is she an artist, but she is crafty as well. In class, I discovered from talking to one of the participants that Lilik also makes bellydancing sarongs. You know, the brightly colored ones that jingle when you shake your bon-bon.
Fortunately, I did not have to wear one of the jingly sarongs. As I walked into class, Lilik immediately rushed up to me and handed me a black sarong with lace and fringe. Who was I to tell her no? I wrapped the sarong around my waist and gave it a test drive shaking my hips back and forth. Try not to visualize the image...it wasn't pretty.
In any case, the class was a good mix of experience levels. There were a couple of very nice women who had taken the class long enough that the dance moves seemed like second nature to them. There were also several of us who were completely new to the experience. Lilik was especially supportive of each of us and even pushed us outside our comfort zones. Those of us who lurked in the back of the room hoping to fade into the woodwork were quickly ushered to the front of the room, taking our turn in leading the group. Before I knew it, I was bellydancing! While not nearly as graceful or interesting to watch as Lilik, I was definitely holding my own.
I think that Lilik does a brilliant job teaching the dance steps. She makes sure that everyone has learned one dance step, practiced it many times, and has an opportunity to ask questions before she moves on. Eventually, she begins adding steps to the sequence, one dance move at a time, which makes learning easier. While I had several favorite steps, I think the one that was the most fun was called "snake hands" during which your arms become fluid and move up and down in an s-shaped curve. At the end of the class, Lilik even gave us a demonstration of "expert" bellydancing utilizing all of the moves we learned in class and adding the finger cymbals that the art form is known for.
While this class was certainly a workout, it was not at all overwhelming. It was fun. I would recommend this class to anyone who is interested in learning something new and getting some exercise in at the same time.
Lilik teaches Belly Dancing at the R.C. Dickenson Family YMCA on Wednesdays from 10:30 AM-11:30 AM
She teaches at South Neighborhood YMCA on Fridays from 10:30 AM-11:30 AM
She teaches at Thornton Family YMCA on Tuesdays from 6:30 PM-7:45 PM
Friday, January 22, 2010
January 18th: Joseph Pilates
Three things about taking Pilates with Edie. #1: It's a good workout. #2 Even though it's exercise, you walk away feeling relaxed (the stretches were especially effective). #3 Edie really does know a lot about Pilates.
As we worked out, it was very interesting to hear some of the history about Joseph Pilates. Hearing Edie talk about the philosophy, terms, and reasoning behind some of the practices was quite interesting. Edie knows her stuff! I even felt inspired to do a little research of my own about Pilates. If you want the quick and dirty explanation, visit the Wikipedia website http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilates. I found the subject fascinating. No wonder so many people are drawn to this discipline. Edie even took some time to talk about how we must at all times be aware of our own bodies. She used the example of washing dishes and maintaining awareness of the core muscles of the body as movement occurs. It makes you think about how each part of our body is interrelated.
Something else interesting was that I was the only non-regular who was in the class. The other two participants were both regulars and quite flexible. It was pretty cool to see one of the class participants able to perform one of the postures that until recently she had been unable to. Over time, she has trained her body to do things it hadn't before. The other class participant was a woman who clearly walked the walk. She was able to take each of the examples Edie presented to the max, bending in ways that could only be described as awe-inspiring. While this class was not quite as challenging as my previous Yoga class (Edie admitted to have spent most of her energy cleaning house all day) it still was not easy. I definitely left class feeling strangely rested and relaxed. Part may have been due to the way Edie structured the class, but I also feel a good portion of my "aftermood" may be a result of Edie's demeanor. I found out later that Edie also works as a counselor. It certainly made sense as Edie had a soothing voice and provided clear and detailed instructions. I think that Edie's class truly is for a wide range of participants. I would encourage anyone new to Pilates or those who want to push themselves to visit Edie's Pilates class on Mondays & Wednesdays at the South Neighborhood YMCA from 6pm-7pm.
As we worked out, it was very interesting to hear some of the history about Joseph Pilates. Hearing Edie talk about the philosophy, terms, and reasoning behind some of the practices was quite interesting. Edie knows her stuff! I even felt inspired to do a little research of my own about Pilates. If you want the quick and dirty explanation, visit the Wikipedia website http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilates. I found the subject fascinating. No wonder so many people are drawn to this discipline. Edie even took some time to talk about how we must at all times be aware of our own bodies. She used the example of washing dishes and maintaining awareness of the core muscles of the body as movement occurs. It makes you think about how each part of our body is interrelated.
Something else interesting was that I was the only non-regular who was in the class. The other two participants were both regulars and quite flexible. It was pretty cool to see one of the class participants able to perform one of the postures that until recently she had been unable to. Over time, she has trained her body to do things it hadn't before. The other class participant was a woman who clearly walked the walk. She was able to take each of the examples Edie presented to the max, bending in ways that could only be described as awe-inspiring. While this class was not quite as challenging as my previous Yoga class (Edie admitted to have spent most of her energy cleaning house all day) it still was not easy. I definitely left class feeling strangely rested and relaxed. Part may have been due to the way Edie structured the class, but I also feel a good portion of my "aftermood" may be a result of Edie's demeanor. I found out later that Edie also works as a counselor. It certainly made sense as Edie had a soothing voice and provided clear and detailed instructions. I think that Edie's class truly is for a wide range of participants. I would encourage anyone new to Pilates or those who want to push themselves to visit Edie's Pilates class on Mondays & Wednesdays at the South Neighborhood YMCA from 6pm-7pm.
Monday, January 18, 2010
January 14th: Dynamic Duo
I know there are those of you who make a habit of taking two classes back-to-back. For me, the concept is new but I am now learning how to best pair classes. The two classes I took on Thursday evening at the Dickenson YMCA were perfectly complementary. I took Zumba with Debby followed by Pilates with Cynthia. The instructors were very different and yet the two very different styles and techniques blended together harmoniously. Two reasons may have been that several class participants from Zumba also stayed for Pilates and that the classes both took place in the same room.
Now for those of you who have read my blog before, you know that I've already attempted Zumba. Apparently I had so much fun the first time, I decided to go back. Only this time, I took the class with Debby. What I found most fascinating about Debby's class was how different it was from the previous Zumba class I had taken. Debby, as every instructor does, adds her own unique interpretation of the material. She is both laid back and energetic which results in a unique combination of fun and a little bit of silliness which her class participants really seem to enjoy. Debby also clearly enjoys the relationships she has with her participants. She made sure to acknowledge students returning to class after some time away as well as make the newcomers feel at ease. By far the most noticable trait of Debby's is how obvious it is that she loves Zumba and she loves teaching. I get the clear impression that teaching Zumba is not just a job for Debby, it is a passion. You could hear the excitement in her voice as she talked about a Zumba "master" who was coming to town to teach a class. Her enthusiasm was contagious. If you are intimidated about group exercise classes or you need a good class to get you started, Debby's 5:45pm Tuesday/Thursday Zumba class at the Dickenson YMCA is a great choice.
So after getting warmed up in Zumba, I decided to take Pilates with Cynthia immediately following. I didn't really know what to expect so I tried to keep an open mind. There were several veterans in the class who were quick to help me get my equipment together. I needed a mat, an execise ball (both a small and a large), as well as some weights. I've always thought Pilates was just like Yoga but only "stretchier," but it turned out to be somewhat more involved. While stretching is certainly a component of Pilates (some of the terms are even shared with Yoga) there seems to be much more of a focus on muscle strengthening. There was, in my opinion, a fair number of abdominal exercises as well as several exercises that helped in improving balance. This was the first time I had ever used an exercise ball for its intended purpose and, being a bigger guy, I thought it was going to burst the moment I applied my full body weight. Fortunately that did not happen and I do feel like I was able to focus on my stablizing muscles and creating a sense of physical and mental balance. Okay, I know, it sounds a little new-agey...that's what I thought too. If you try it you will see, though, that it is actually a very good workout and not at all easy. There was even a gentleman in the room who I believe was a former marine. Of course, like most good instructors, Cynthia offered modifications for individuals who could not achieve certain postures. Cynthia made it a priority to make sure that each specific exercise was accessible to everyone and gave plenty of positive encouragement to those who may have been new or struggling. Pilates is not something you should expect to be proficient at immediately. It takes some focus and some practice but if you attend class with Cynthia regularly, I have no doubt you will see results. Cynthia's Pilates class is on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 6:45 to 7:45 at the Dickenson YMCA.
Now for those of you who have read my blog before, you know that I've already attempted Zumba. Apparently I had so much fun the first time, I decided to go back. Only this time, I took the class with Debby. What I found most fascinating about Debby's class was how different it was from the previous Zumba class I had taken. Debby, as every instructor does, adds her own unique interpretation of the material. She is both laid back and energetic which results in a unique combination of fun and a little bit of silliness which her class participants really seem to enjoy. Debby also clearly enjoys the relationships she has with her participants. She made sure to acknowledge students returning to class after some time away as well as make the newcomers feel at ease. By far the most noticable trait of Debby's is how obvious it is that she loves Zumba and she loves teaching. I get the clear impression that teaching Zumba is not just a job for Debby, it is a passion. You could hear the excitement in her voice as she talked about a Zumba "master" who was coming to town to teach a class. Her enthusiasm was contagious. If you are intimidated about group exercise classes or you need a good class to get you started, Debby's 5:45pm Tuesday/Thursday Zumba class at the Dickenson YMCA is a great choice.
So after getting warmed up in Zumba, I decided to take Pilates with Cynthia immediately following. I didn't really know what to expect so I tried to keep an open mind. There were several veterans in the class who were quick to help me get my equipment together. I needed a mat, an execise ball (both a small and a large), as well as some weights. I've always thought Pilates was just like Yoga but only "stretchier," but it turned out to be somewhat more involved. While stretching is certainly a component of Pilates (some of the terms are even shared with Yoga) there seems to be much more of a focus on muscle strengthening. There was, in my opinion, a fair number of abdominal exercises as well as several exercises that helped in improving balance. This was the first time I had ever used an exercise ball for its intended purpose and, being a bigger guy, I thought it was going to burst the moment I applied my full body weight. Fortunately that did not happen and I do feel like I was able to focus on my stablizing muscles and creating a sense of physical and mental balance. Okay, I know, it sounds a little new-agey...that's what I thought too. If you try it you will see, though, that it is actually a very good workout and not at all easy. There was even a gentleman in the room who I believe was a former marine. Of course, like most good instructors, Cynthia offered modifications for individuals who could not achieve certain postures. Cynthia made it a priority to make sure that each specific exercise was accessible to everyone and gave plenty of positive encouragement to those who may have been new or struggling. Pilates is not something you should expect to be proficient at immediately. It takes some focus and some practice but if you attend class with Cynthia regularly, I have no doubt you will see results. Cynthia's Pilates class is on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 6:45 to 7:45 at the Dickenson YMCA.
Friday, January 15, 2010
January 12th: Double Trouble
So some of you reading this may think that I'm crazy for continuing to take two classes back to back on the same day. I promise that there is a method to the madness. For one, I kill two chirpy spandex-clad birds with one stone (just kidding). Second, I only have to set aside one block of time and get showered and changed once. Lastly, it's much harder to do subsequent days as I am usually in some kind of desperate pain in between. For example, after my Yoga class, I had sore calves for a week. I had to power through. I'm not a believer in the "no pain, no gain" philosophy but I am a realist and I know that anytime you have been inactive, there will be muscle soreness (not to be confused with injury) associated with the workouts. A friend of mine told me that eventually the soreness would subside. When I can barely walk up a flight of stairs, I curse that friend's name.
So it makes sense to have rest day sometimes. Tuesday concluded my rest period. I visited the South Neighborhood YMCA for a double dose of stepping. I spent time in Janie's Cardio Step class and stuck around to vist with Sasha as she "walked it off."
I found it amusing that after class Janie approached me and apologized for being "so silly." I told her that her lightheartedness is what made the class so enjoyable. Janie not only had incredible energy and stamina but she had a sense of humor and brought a sunny disposition to the class. She talked even took a few minutes to banter about the new season of American Idol. The concept that has been reinforced to me as I have attended these classes is that no matter the workout, no matter the skill level of the instructor or participants, no matter the size or shape of the room, or the quality of the equipment, two things matter above all others-fun and friendships. Those two simple things can make an otherwise unbearable workout into a social and enjoyable experience.
Cardio Step made me sweat more than any other class that I have taken so far. Strangely none of the women in the class seemed to sweat at all. One of them kindly pointed out that "men and women sweat differently," making a genuine effort to make me feel better about the fact that I was morphing into a human puddle. I was reminded of something that my grandmother used to say, "Women don't sweat, they perspire."
I sweat. And sweat I did. Cardio Step was much harder to modify as it was a series of rapid on-again, off again, around and through movements that were tricky to master. Interestingly, over the course of the class, I did get better. I can see how over time and with practice, this could become second nature. Another interesting thing that I noticed in Cardio Step is that it was the most like what I originally envisioned when I thought of group exercise. Not that it was predictable. There were moves thrown in that even a fortune teller couldn't predict, but overall it was a class that I believe has a wide appeal because it was a timeless format.
Next up was Sasha's Walk it Off class, aptly named due to Sasha's ability to always find ways to throw in the catchy "Walk it off" catch phrase. I definitely walked it off. I think Sasha was a little concerned as I walked into class already soaked neck to navel. She made sure to ask me later if I had taken another class. I think she was concerned that I really had walked it all off and had nothing left. Once I told her I had already taken Cardio Step she looked relieved.
Walk it off was really more of a workout than I expected. There were weights involved and also a step. As a matter of fact, if you are interested in taking Cardio Step, I feel like Walk it Off would be a good starter class. You get used to the step but the choreography is a lot simpler. While you will not get the same level of workout, you certainly have the option of making the workout simpler or more challenging for yourself based on how you modify the techniques. Some people will really appreciate that Sasha has actually formatted the class so that you are walking a full three miles during the time you are in class. Of course, most of this walking is happening in place, sometimes with lunges or squats thrown in for good measure. I thought this class may be more of a saunter but it turned out to be a speed-walk.
Janie's Cardio Step class is Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9am-10am at South Neighborhood
Sasha's Walk it Off class is Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10:15am-11am at South Neighborhood
So it makes sense to have rest day sometimes. Tuesday concluded my rest period. I visited the South Neighborhood YMCA for a double dose of stepping. I spent time in Janie's Cardio Step class and stuck around to vist with Sasha as she "walked it off."
I found it amusing that after class Janie approached me and apologized for being "so silly." I told her that her lightheartedness is what made the class so enjoyable. Janie not only had incredible energy and stamina but she had a sense of humor and brought a sunny disposition to the class. She talked even took a few minutes to banter about the new season of American Idol. The concept that has been reinforced to me as I have attended these classes is that no matter the workout, no matter the skill level of the instructor or participants, no matter the size or shape of the room, or the quality of the equipment, two things matter above all others-fun and friendships. Those two simple things can make an otherwise unbearable workout into a social and enjoyable experience.
Cardio Step made me sweat more than any other class that I have taken so far. Strangely none of the women in the class seemed to sweat at all. One of them kindly pointed out that "men and women sweat differently," making a genuine effort to make me feel better about the fact that I was morphing into a human puddle. I was reminded of something that my grandmother used to say, "Women don't sweat, they perspire."
I sweat. And sweat I did. Cardio Step was much harder to modify as it was a series of rapid on-again, off again, around and through movements that were tricky to master. Interestingly, over the course of the class, I did get better. I can see how over time and with practice, this could become second nature. Another interesting thing that I noticed in Cardio Step is that it was the most like what I originally envisioned when I thought of group exercise. Not that it was predictable. There were moves thrown in that even a fortune teller couldn't predict, but overall it was a class that I believe has a wide appeal because it was a timeless format.
Next up was Sasha's Walk it Off class, aptly named due to Sasha's ability to always find ways to throw in the catchy "Walk it off" catch phrase. I definitely walked it off. I think Sasha was a little concerned as I walked into class already soaked neck to navel. She made sure to ask me later if I had taken another class. I think she was concerned that I really had walked it all off and had nothing left. Once I told her I had already taken Cardio Step she looked relieved.
Walk it off was really more of a workout than I expected. There were weights involved and also a step. As a matter of fact, if you are interested in taking Cardio Step, I feel like Walk it Off would be a good starter class. You get used to the step but the choreography is a lot simpler. While you will not get the same level of workout, you certainly have the option of making the workout simpler or more challenging for yourself based on how you modify the techniques. Some people will really appreciate that Sasha has actually formatted the class so that you are walking a full three miles during the time you are in class. Of course, most of this walking is happening in place, sometimes with lunges or squats thrown in for good measure. I thought this class may be more of a saunter but it turned out to be a speed-walk.
Janie's Cardio Step class is Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9am-10am at South Neighborhood
Sasha's Walk it Off class is Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10:15am-11am at South Neighborhood
Monday, January 11, 2010
January 9th: Doubleheader
Okay-For those of you keeping count (and I know some of you are), you are right. I admit it. Things are looking grim. I am in trouble. While I have been attending class semi-regularly, I am definitely behind. However, I am making a comeback and fully intend to still make my goal of thirty group exercise classes in thirty days. It's not easy but it is possible. That is why on January 9th I decided to take two classes back-to-back.
My first class was a class called Sets and Reps. It was the most challenging class I've taken so far. This class tapped into my inner army commando. The teacher was a beast. Her name was Olga and she was tough. I have not done so many push-ups since high school gym class. There was the standard push-up, the elevated feet push-up, and the one arm elevated push-up. While most of the class is a blur, I remember lifting weights, doing crunches, and there may have been some crying. All in all, this class was a great workout. Even though Olga gave permission for us to modify some of the techniques, I felt compelled to push myself. I left the class feeling like not only had I received a great cardio workout but a pretty intense strength/conditioning workout as well.
My second class of the day was called Dance Cardio. It was a fun mix of a variety of different dance steps with an focus on latin moves. This class tapped into my inner Shakira. The teacher was graceful and a talented dancer to boot. Her name was Olga. Yes, yes, the SAME Olga who had just kicked my butt in the Sets and Reps class. She had enough energy to teach two classes back to back and she didn't miss a beat. I have to mention a couple of things about this class. First is that it is extremely popular. It was a smallish studio and it was filled to capacity. It was not difficult to maneuver though as Olga did a great job preparing choreography that fit the space and the number of participants. For a while I managed to forget about my ongoing fear of tripping over my own feet and knocking over several women like bowling ball pins. Another interesting part of this class was that Olga allowed time in her class for "free dance" which was a fun way to just loosen up and made things more interesting. Oh, and did I mention the disco lights? Dance Cardio is definitely a great way to de-stress and learn a few new dance moves.
You can take either of Olga's Saturday classes at Thornton YMCA. Sets and Reps is from 9:20am to 10:15 and Dance Cardio is from 10:20 to 11:20.
My first class was a class called Sets and Reps. It was the most challenging class I've taken so far. This class tapped into my inner army commando. The teacher was a beast. Her name was Olga and she was tough. I have not done so many push-ups since high school gym class. There was the standard push-up, the elevated feet push-up, and the one arm elevated push-up. While most of the class is a blur, I remember lifting weights, doing crunches, and there may have been some crying. All in all, this class was a great workout. Even though Olga gave permission for us to modify some of the techniques, I felt compelled to push myself. I left the class feeling like not only had I received a great cardio workout but a pretty intense strength/conditioning workout as well.
My second class of the day was called Dance Cardio. It was a fun mix of a variety of different dance steps with an focus on latin moves. This class tapped into my inner Shakira. The teacher was graceful and a talented dancer to boot. Her name was Olga. Yes, yes, the SAME Olga who had just kicked my butt in the Sets and Reps class. She had enough energy to teach two classes back to back and she didn't miss a beat. I have to mention a couple of things about this class. First is that it is extremely popular. It was a smallish studio and it was filled to capacity. It was not difficult to maneuver though as Olga did a great job preparing choreography that fit the space and the number of participants. For a while I managed to forget about my ongoing fear of tripping over my own feet and knocking over several women like bowling ball pins. Another interesting part of this class was that Olga allowed time in her class for "free dance" which was a fun way to just loosen up and made things more interesting. Oh, and did I mention the disco lights? Dance Cardio is definitely a great way to de-stress and learn a few new dance moves.
You can take either of Olga's Saturday classes at Thornton YMCA. Sets and Reps is from 9:20am to 10:15 and Dance Cardio is from 10:20 to 11:20.
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