I'll Be Two Steps Behind

Admit it – some of you are humming that familiar 90’s tune after reading the title. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you feel about metal), this post is not a nod to the popular Def Leppard song, but rather an apt description of my latest adventure in the wild world of kick-boxing (cardio-style).

While I thoroughly enjoy an intense cardiovascular workout as much as the next person, Tuesday was a challenge. I was dead tired after work and dreading the idea of exerting the last bit of my energy stores; a nap sounded like a much better option. Overcoming those thoughts of fatigue, I steered my car in the direction of the large, GloboGym-like gym structure, grabbed my bag and ran through a heavy rain towards the large, glass doors.

As fate would have it, I got to the gym a bit later than planned. As I walked out of the women’s locker room, rows of stationary bikes, elliptical trainers, stair steppers and treadmills were filled to capacity. This afternoon phenomenon is the result of heavy January sales/marketing and New Year’s Resolutions that are still on track. I strolled to the back, desperately seeking any cardio machine and – Eureka! – there was one treadmill open and… it was out of order. That little tired part of me started saying – “Go home! You can still catch Oprah and work with your 8lb weights.” But I thought, who am I kidding? If I go home, I’ll just collapse from sheer exhaustion. Besides, I was geared up with Dri-Fit, shoes & a fabulous no-slip headband; there just had to be another option.

My eyes scanned the room until stopping at the group fitness room; sure enough, a class was underway: Cardio Kick-Boxing – the class that kicks you back.

In the last few months, I have come to enjoy the wide variety of classes offered at our gym: pilates, yoga, spinning, core strengthening, etc. However, I absolutely hate going in late. Besides the fact that you’ve missed the warm-ups, you’re usually in the front room, next to the teacher and the large mirrors… and everyone is behind you. A long time ago, I was a ballet-dancing, gymnastics-flipping genius (sort of). Unfortunately, in the span of years since those days, I seem to have lost my sweet coordination skills. With some effort, I can usually figure out the sequences/moves in the various aerobics classes I’ve done – it just takes me some time and by then they’ve moved to a new set. And for that reason, I’d rather not display my unique (read: wrong) moves in front of the entire class.

Quick disclaimer: I did not go into this blind. I have done cardio kick-boxing before at another gym; the teacher was awesome, the class was a great workout and most importantly, I knew the routine. Nonetheless, with all of that being said, you probably know where I’m going.

With my blue water bottle and towel in hand, I confidently pulled open the door and mentally prepared for an hour of uncoordinated, embarrassing kicks, punches, squats and other gyrations. Although I was late, I quickly discovered two great things about this class: 1) the lights were dimmed (though disco-colored strobe lights flashed throughout the class) and, 2) there was a small corner available in the back! Even though it was a new teacher with new routines, I thoroughly enjoyed my “two-steps-behind” moves in the darkened room… and eventually I got it.