A first impression of 'Spin & Abs', on Fridays 11:30 - 12:30 Studio 1
Today I did Spin and Abs with Karen Mason. Friday 11.30-12.30 in studio 1.
I've only done spinning once before and within minutes of dragging the bike to the centre of the room I got a top tip from my friend on the next bike, who whispered, "Every time Karen tells you to put the resistance up - pretend you are, but keep it the same!"
Armed with that bit of information, I realised Karen was not one to be messed with! Although I must say, she was very very helpful in getting me set up and teaching me the basics. The music was really punchy and fun and soon I started to get in the swing of it. It took about 5 minutes before I went bright red and started sweating profusely. "SPRINT!" Karen shouted at us all and then a minute later "I think I may need to remind you all of the definition of sprint!" Blimey. I was just starting to feel like I needed to stop when Karen shouted. "Don't panic if you are suffering - that's how I want you to feel." By the time we were on the way down the hill at the end I thought it was time for a bit of a rest, but Karen wanted us to look at ourselves in the mirror. "You should be going so quickly that all you can see is just a blur of legs." Lordy.
Thirty minutes in and it was over. Karen was very good at saying things like - "In 2 minutes time this spin will be over - so you need to have made it worth it for yourself." I liked her style - as she said it, people were getting quicker.
The next thirty minutes were abs. "Are you feeling sick and really terrible?" she asked me. "Yes", I grimaced. "Good" she says - "Then it is working." Karen took these excercises very slowly and precisely. At the end she said that I wouldn't feel it today, but will feel it tomorrow and the next day. And she was spot on.
Signed: A reluctant exerciser.