At one time, I ran a blog called Fitterverse: A universe of fitness. This post originally appeared there. Thanks to the Wayback Machine, I’ve been able to recapture the text. I’ve published them here on their original publication dates.
For my first group fitness experience, I chose Step plus Abs, which is a step aerobics class with an abs track.
I had no idea what I was in for.
I was initially encouraged when the instructor, an obese guy in his 50s, came up and introduced himself and explained there really wasn’t a “beginner” class, but the moves were repetitive and I should pick it up quickly. I’m thinking “How hard can this be?” I step up, I step down.
How very wrong I was. This was more like dance class, only in dance classes they teach you the moves and then expect you to do them. This was like being dropped into a deep pool and told to swim.
I have no rhythm whatsoever. I apparently can’t follow body movements particularly well because at various points in the class I was going back and forth between flailing helplessly and pausing to figure out what to do next. And sweating. This is a serious workout, folks. Don’t let anyone tell you different.
You’d never realize the wide number of variations in the way you can step, kick, knee up, march, jumping jack, and a few things that I don’t know how to describe. It was extraordinarily confusing. For your first time, make sure you can laugh at yourself – frequently and easily.
Oh, and the abs track. Ouch. Lots of crunch variations for 10 straight minutes. My abs haven’t hurt that bad in years.
With that said, I had a ball. I looked like an idiot, but I felt better when I saw I wasn’t the only one who messed up the moves or got out of rhythm. If you’re looking for the opposite attitude from the weight room, this is the place. Prior to class a woman heard me tell the instructor this was my first time. She came over and offered a few pointers and mentioned I might find it easier to follow her lead rather than the instructor’s, as he typically didn’t do all the moves each time, and that some of the other folks in the class were more advanced and did some aggressive modifications I wouldn’t be able to follow. After class, the instructor told me I had done well and encouraged me to come back and take a few more. It’s a very positive environment.
In summary, an ass-kicker of a cardio workout requiring a level of rhythm I lack, but still a good bit of amusement.