Here is how the story goes. I decided to take a class at the NYC Sport Club nearest to my office. I figured it was a great way to work out before going home in effort to avoid the laziness that inevitably sets in when I walk through the door after a long day of work. I selected the total body conditioning class because I have taken it many times at the gyms near my apartment and it was always a good challenge BUT this time it was a different story.
The instructor was a small and incredibly buff woman with black curly hair that almost stood on end. I should have known the class was going to be trouble when she walked in and screamed "f you aren't here to work out then get out." I nonchalantly brushed it off by justifying it as a true New Yorker attitude. She then demanded everyone drop to the floor and do 5 sets of 10 push ups and sit ups. Honestly, I can't remember the last time I did a push up. In fact I am not sure I have ever been able to do a push up. The class had not been in session more than 5 minutes and I was already worn out. For the next hour my 5 lb. weights progressively grew heavier from 5 to 10 then 15 and even 20. At one point I was worried I was going to drop them because my arms were about to fall off my shoulders.
This woman had to have been somewhat insane because she didn't miss a beat and would only pick up the pace if someone slowed down or stopped. For some odd reason I think the insanity was contagious because I was bound and determined to make it through the entire class and even start a routine of attending this class every other Monday evening, just to prove to her and to myself that I am tough.
The reality of pain and sore muscles set in when I could barely lift my arms to open up my locker directly following the class or walk down the stairs to catch the subway home. And forget about wearing heels at work the next day. Two days have passed and I was more sore today then I think I have ever felt in my life. This morning I could not get out of bed. Luckily I was able to roll out and let gravity do the rest. After listening to me sit at my desk and complain about not being able to stand up all the way, a co-worker diagnosed me as having extremely tight hip flexors. I learned many things today but the most interesting is that I now know I have hip flexors and that when they are tight I can't stand up straight or walk normally. The moral of the story is to drink plenty of water, take maximum legal amount of Advil and stretch following any class that begins with "If you aren't here to work out, then get out!!!"
(P.S. this is not me but this is one way to stretch hip flexors, so I have been told)
5 comments:
Sounds like you should take the advil BEFORE the class. Just think, in a couple weeks that class will be a piece of cake--that's the beauty of exercise.
I am glad that you are exercising for the both of us.
Hahaha! I love it. I did lower body weights yesterday and I too could barely get out of bed this morning. The "gravity roll" is pretty much the only way to do it. :o)
looking forwarding to attending this class next week...hmmm, should i make sure to take the light 5 lbs weights??? =)
HAHA, I about DIED when I read this. You are SO funny Steph, and I'm REALLY glad you started your blog!
Your a lot better then I am. If someone said "if your not here to workout, then get out..." to ME? I would have taken her advice and left. LOL. jk.
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