"You are very welcome to join me and my friend for Clubbercise on Wednesday", the message read. It's only been a couple of hours since I've decided to try different sports and classes, and the old me is still alive and well. The questions, aimed at working out suitable excuses, flooded my mind straight away. When is it? How much? What do I need to wear/bring? Who will be there? And most importantly: Exactly how hard is it? Because if it is before or after a certain time I cannot possibly make it, and if it's over my budget (i.e. for free) I probably can't afford it this week, and I don't own the right clothing and anyway: I'M UNFIT SO I JUST CAN'T DO IT.
But luckily I had already publicly committed (read here) to trying stuff out, and so before my type happy fingers could spoil my plans, I replied "Yes". The questions would be dealt with later.
And so it came that I arrived a couple of days later in the recommended basic leggings, T-Shirt and trainers combo at the local community centre. Getting out of the car I heard the laughter and chatter of the other Ladies (yes, all Ladies, although I'm sure Men would be very welcome) making their way to the front door. Another wave of work-out-panic nearly had me close the doors again: They clearly all know each other. I'll be the odd one out. They'll all notice that I don't belong in an exercise class. But before I could change my mind, a war voice shouted "Hello! Lovely to see you! Everyone, this is Anna!"
And with that, I wasn't the odd one out anymore, but walking with the group through the front door. The £8 (£5 for the class + a one-off payment of £3 for the glow-sticks) were received without any questions or forms to fill in. Just find a place, make sure you have space to move, and off we go.
The coach lead a complicated routine of arm waving leg swinging and hip thrusting from the front. In my most Bridget-Jones attempts to follow her, I managed to be in step approximately 17% of the time - but seen as it was dark and I was right at the back, that did not matter at all.
My advice if you're planning to attend one of these classes?
1. Make sure you take water. It's very hot and sweaty.
2. Don't worry about a thing (what to wear, where to stand...). It's dark. And I found that everyone was there to work out and have a laugh, and literally no-one cared that I couldn't manage to lift my feet AND know my left from my right at the same time.
3. If you are worried that you get out of breath easily, do not be discouraged my friend. After every 2 or 3 songs, there is a watering & breath catching break.
4. Concerned that you may not be able to keep up with the intensity or speed? Again, do not let that stop you. Whilst the coach may jump up and down energetically at the front, no-one will notice if you are merely high stepping or walking in place (or even just waving your arms). As long as you try to keep moving in some way, you are working.
5. I was very lucky to have a friend invite me to go along. But I felt the Ladies were so friendly and welcoming that I'd be confident now to try out a similar class on my own.
6. Any other reasons not to go? No? Didn't think so :-)
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