Sunday, January 24, 2010

Spin Class of One

I've never been to a spin class. And, to tell you the truth, I don't think I'd want to go to one even if I lived in the city where there were lots of good ones...

What do you people do when you have to, ahem, toot? At home, I don't have to worry about the black bean soup I ate the night before...

For that matter, what do you do when you have to go the bathroom -- I'm assuming the class just continues without you. I can't imagine unclipping, hurrying to the washroom all sweaty in front of all these people and then scrambling back to get on my bike.

When I bike, I am a sweaty, burping, farting mess. It's different during a race -- you are constantly passing or being passed by people. But sitting there -- stationary for everyone to see me in my sweat-dripping, aero-pad stinking glory....

I can't imagine the set-up needed for a spin class either -- look at what I have to do for a mere 2 hour ride....


Note the two big towels underneath the bike as well as all the facecloths draped everywhere across the aero bars. Right beside my bike is what I call the Wall of Nut. As you can see, that desk-thingie is a perfect launch pad for Peanut to jump on my back, so I have had to construct a barrier of sorts to block her attempts....

Starting from the left to right:

1. A bike shoe to block her initial jump up from the floor. This doesn't really work, because she doesn't care if she lands on it, but once she's up there, I use the shoe to sort of push her away from me. LOL!!

2. Stack of more facecloths. (I SWEAT A LOT!!!!)

3. Pile of bananas. I'll go through the whole bunch, tossing the skins on the sweat-catching/banana peel-collecting towels underneath the bike.

4. Water bottle line up. These work AWESOME at blocking the Nut.

5. Bike shoe box -- this is a good fence too.

6. Big towel -- for after my ride, when I grab it and dry off before layering up for a brick.


I've nailed the art of facecloth placement! See how by turning the facecloth diagonally, it covers my stinky (soon to be replaced) aero pads? Yeah baby!!!! LOL!! Then, once I start my iPod, I tuck it into the folded cloth so it doesn't get dripped on.


I LOVE MY COMPUTRAINER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) :)

10 comments:

runningman said...

That's such an awesome set up! I wish I could get a computrainer. Nice strat. to keep the cat off, hee hee.

Keith said...

Wow! You have it all worked out. I'd join your spin class, though I'm not so high maintenance as you.

But poor 'Nut. She's just trying to help, doing her part to keep you in aero, and supervising as all cats like to do.

Spin class is fun. Some people hop off and scurry to the bathroom, with varying degrees of urgency, but the class goes on. It's considered bad form to have to 'go' when one leg drill is happening. Everybody is a sweaty mess to some extent. As for the tooting, well, who would ever know? The music is loud, the instructor is shouting "faster, longer, stronger, spin!!!!! you slackers!!!) all the trainers are whirring away, the gears are humming, and the class is chatting. Really Julie, you should come up for a weekend and join us. You'll miss the famous Katie now, as she's off on her trip, but Chris puts together an awesome workout. Of course, the spin, run, and core is really short and easy by your standards. But that's ok. You can come back here, do your REAL workout, then head home late afternoon. After a full weekend of workout madness, DVD's, chocolate, and maybe some shopping.

Amber Dawn said...

you eat ALL those bananas! How long are you on that trainer!!!?? LOL

Jenna said...

yeah i am totally stuck on the bananas you have there. When I ride for two hours I drink one large bottle of water (750 mls) and eat nothing. I have though, begun to sweat which I thought was impossible for me. Fo r years I have worked hard, turned purple but seldom drooped a bead of sweat - i just get more red. Now, I can sweat enough that droplets might form but nothing ever really drips anywhere...yet. Oh, I have so much to learn!!

Julie said...

Yes, I really do eat all those bananas!!! I get sooo hungry -- and they are better than gels. :) :)

Cath said...

Hahaha - looks just like mine here. Have to say I've never done a spin class either - I sit in the same sweat monster group too :) Not sure the gym would like to be exposed to that :)

Julie said...

Is it a fortune cookie? LMAO!!!!!!

Shannon Wicks said...

I look at that last pic and just want to put my head down and take a nap! It looks super comfy!

Runner Leana said...

Keith pretty well said it all! If people need to get off to use the bathroom or refill water bottles, so be it. There is generally a rest here and there in the workout so no big deal. And if anyone has ever tooted around me I haven't heard it. We are all so focused, the music is loud and so are the trainers there is no way!

Amy said...

OMG, I love this post and all the pics. I can't believe you eat ALL of those bananas! And I bet it's a sight to see your cat trying to jump on you with all those barriers.