Exercise time!

Tried and Tested by Hannah Allen

We all know as we get older and leave school, it becomes harder to exercise regularly (or we just become lazy). I found this out when I first went to college. No more PE lessons outside in the cold, running around with traffic honking and other students staring at us seemed like heaven. Instead, it was running five flights of stairs to make it to media on time which wasn’t so bad. I considered myself young and healthy until there was fast food available every lunch time and no compulsory exercise.

Now, with Christmas months approaching, it only means one thing. Food. Every year my mum goes overboard buying anything that is on offer, and with nights closing in quickly, who would say no to staying in with a tub of Pringles and a hot chocolate? Last year, I paid the price for those cosy nights in by the fire by not fitting in to my usually comfy jeans for a couple of months due to extra pounds I had so easily gained.

I know I’m only 17 and shouldn’t be worrying about this now, I can only imagine how many of you reading this, what you are thinking of me. At the moment, I’m a healthy size twelve but leave me to feed myself for couple of months and I can see that size doubling (I enjoy cooking rich deserts and would have a portion of chips without thinking of the consequences). This is why I’m doing something about it before I become another statistic in the overweight category. With obesity levels rising, I have offered up my relatively healthy self to try some of the exercise classes available which will include running, circuits and aerobics.

First on the list; spin 45. This is an intense cycling class available at various times at St.James, Lynnsport, Oasis ect...

Their description of the class; Indoor group cycling sessions are 30 and 45 minute classes respectively of aerobic exercise performed on indoor stationary cycles to an upbeat sound track.

When I saw this, I thought, “I could do that, no problem”. I had heard of the class and people said how intense it was but I assumed they were exaggerating. Unfortunately for me, they weren’t.

Boy was I in for a treat. Intense would be a word I would associate with this. My poor legs struggled to carry me to the train station after 45 minutes of fast-paced cycling. Respectively, this was only my first class and I am told it takes two or three sessions to get used to the exercise.

For starters, I was not happy that my water bottle did not fit in the space provided and required me to stop every five minutes. Admittedly, it was partially my fault. But besides that, I was pumped to get going. I had so much energy at this point that I wasn’t intimidated by the super-fit members that attended 3 times a week.

And then we started. I think I lasted about ten minutes before my legs slowly became a pile of throbbing mush. I do bike often, at least 3 times a week, for about 20-30 minutes, but nothing could have prepared me for the amount of perseverance and energy you needed to keep up. Push-ups on a bike, variation of speed every ten seconds, and trying to keep in time with the music? Despite the instructor saying to go at your own pace, you can’t help but get competitive with the others who carry on without a drop of sweat.

About half way through the class, I struggled to keep going. I was glad to see that I wasn’t the only person to be tomato red in the face and struggling to keep the pace. It didn’t help with people staring from outside, I can only imagine what they thought looking through that window.

Eventually, time ran out and it was time to go. Note; remember to have feeling in your legs before dismounting. I made a fool of my self nearly falling off the bike thanks to my jellified legs. This class really isn’t for the faint hearted, it is great for those who enjoy a real work out, want to burn fat and don’t mind a bit of perspiration.  Assuming it get easier the more you, this properly is a great workout but unfortunately, I don’t think I will be returning in a hurry (my legs are just far too wimpy).