Commentary:Airman takes on the gym: Spin Class

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kelsey Waters
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  I've always been a bicycle rider. I'm not talking the Tour de France or any sort of triathlon training, I just never had a car. For me, bicycle riding has always been a form of transportation or something to do when I'm bored.

When I was little, riding my bicycle was the fastest way to get to my friends houses and we would ride our bicycle everywhere when hung out. Then, I grew up. Now my friends all have driver's licenses and our bikes were soon forgotten in favor of piling in to one car.

This week I decided to get back into bike riding by taking a spin class.

I thought this class was going to be a light cardio, but the first thing I learned about spin class was that spin class is nothing like riding a real bike. I have never been so wrong about anything in my life, ever.

I had heard the snide remarks that spin class is full of overweight people with skinny muscular legs. From my experience, nothing could be further from the truth. Spin class is no joke.

The class was a full-body workout and crazy cardio. If you are looking for a class to make you sweat, then spinning maybe just what you're looking for. I'm not the type of person who usually has sweat pour off of them in buckets, but this class made me sweat.

My heart was racing, my breath was going in short bursts and my legs felt like they were going to fall off. But the teacher was incredibly motivating and squeezed every bit of energy and sweat out of me while pushing my body to its limit.

By the end of the class I felt like I had just been put through a juicer. My legs were shaky from muscle exhaustion, my heart was racing like a thoroughbred at the Kentucky Derby and my butt was sore from the seat. However, it was probably one of the best feelings I've ever felt.

I am now addicted to spinning, but it still isn't over. I still have more work to do.

Next week I'm going to take the Combat Circuit Class and see just how hard I can push myself. I've heard from a few people that this class is no joke either, and after surviving spin class, I think I'm ready to accept the challenge.