The Beat of a Different Spinner

Have you ever packed up your stuff and walked out during a group fitness class? 

I did it for the first time last night…And I don’t feel the least bit guilty about it.

I arrived at 6pm spin all pepped up and ready for an awesome workout, as per usual.

Then a substitute instructor walked into the studio. 

Now don’t get me wrong – there is nothing wrong with subs per se.  And this sub was actually a very nice woman. She was very friendly, and very energetic. 

She just wasn’t a good fit for my “spinning style”. 

You see, I’m band geek at heart…

(That’s me in college – IUP - in the Homecoming Parade)

…and I’m totally Type-A about staying on beat with the music whether we’re climbing, or sprinting, or spinning easy. 

I think that’s why I love spinning so much – it’s like being back in Drum Corps or Marching Band… just without marching…or playing an instrument…so really I guess it’s NOT like being back in Drum Corps at all…but you get the point…

Anyhoo, it drives me INSANE when a spinning instructor has no sense of rythm.  And this woman had n.o.n.e. 

To make it worse, every song was exactly the same tempo!  Not my kind of fun. 

After about 3 songs I decided to do my own thing.  I spun my little heart out for another 40 minutes – a couple sprints, a slow & steady hill climb, some jumps, another climb. 

It was great!  (I just felt a little akward in my own little world.)

In the sub’s defence, I could tell that just about everyone else in the class loved her style – they even cheered when she asked if we wanted to extend class another 15 minutes! 

I just couldn’t stand it any longer.

Amongst the cheers I cooled down, cleaned off my bike, and BOLTED out the door.

Was it rude?  Probably. 

Would I do it again?  Absolutely.  Because the quality of my workouts – and my sanity – are much more important than forcing myself to finish a class I’m not enjoying. 

Fingers crossed that Kristen is back next week!