Exercise stimulates
endorphins production.
Endorphins make you happy.
Everyone wants to be happy
(emos excluded).
Ergo, everyone should
exercise.
It’s a no brainer. But, what
is a brainer, some might say (actually no-one says that, but maybe it’ll catch
on), is finding the right exercise for you. If it’s not something you enjoy,
you won’t do it again and you shall remain endorphin-less. Fact.
Take spinning – lots of
people swear by it so I tried a spin classes at the gym a few years ago. And
didn’t get it. So, I tried it again (mental rule – must try everything at least
twice before writing it off because some things just need some getting used
to)…and still just didn’t get it. And, if it wasn’t for this 80-day challenge
and people asking why I haven’t tried spinning yet, I probably would have put
it off for a bit longer. So, I looked up spin classes and tried to find one
that wasn’t part of a gym, which needed a lengthy minimum contract (such an
outdated method when there are so so many different places and different
classes in London!) and didn’t need membership. Then, boom, I found Boom!. I
can’t remember how I came across Boom! in searching for spin classes but I can
remember clearly what made me suddenly decide to try a class there. They were
having a hip-hop spin session. Music to my ears! Prayer answered! This, I
thought, was a spin class I could finally get excited about. And on a Monday
(gasp!), who looks forward to Mondays? (Disclaimer, this class was actually on
Monday 10-June. My apologies to those who feel misled that such a fun class
would take place on a Sunday.)
You should know that there’s
something about the moment you start to descend into the Boom! basement for the
first time - at first, you’re a bit unsure (as with all basements). But then
you open the door and hear the blast of pumping music, see the cheery
receptionists laughing and happy people milling about the studio and you’ll
feel a-ok.
Boom! has one spin studio –
though it is a pretty awesome room. Reminiscent of a club, it’s dark (very dark
during the class), surrounded by mirrors and only dimly lit with some green and
blue club-esque lamps around the room. I don’t know enough about indoor cycling
bikes to comment on them specifically but they were easy enough to adjust (with
a little guidance from the friendly lady on bike 26!). And you get to pre-book
which bike you ride which was a plus!
Instructor Emily played a
wicked set of hip-hop tunes (unsurprisingly, I found out after that she is also
a DJ), including 50 Cent, Kanye West, a bit of JayZ I believe and the trusty
favourite Blackstreet (feat Dr.Dre)’s No Diggity. We were warned at the
beginning that hip-hop is slower than the usual fast-paced house-style music
played in spinning classes and she wasn’t lying! But don’t be deceived – slower
just meant more resistance to mimic cycling up a r.e.a.l.l.y big hill. Because
you can adjust the level of resistance yourself, it is up to you how hard you
push yourself but with the encouragement from Instructor Emily, the dark, moody
atmosphere and the good tunes, it was easy to Lose Yourself in the moment (see
what I did there? Though that wasn’t on the playlist) and just go for it!
Personally, I think it would
be great to have a hip-hop spin class as a more regular class (it’s currently a
ad-hoc special) but I note there’s a disco special coming up, in addition to
the normal house-music classes so there is something for all music tastes
(except love ballads. So far.).
I, stupidly stupidly, forgot
my heart rate strap for the class but if that means I have to go back and try
another class…purely for the sake of maintaining accuracy and consistency in
the blog, well then, so be it. If it helps though, as my friend Miss M said at
the end of the class, “I’ve never sweated so much in my life.” Boom.
The Need To
Know:
- Where: Boom! Cycle (
- Nearest
Station: Old Street
(5mins) / Shoreditch High Street (6mins)
- When: All week, seven days from early morning (06.15/07.15am to
19.30/20.00ish)
- How Much: Intro offers (£7/first class or £25 for
14days) else £14 single class or multi-class packages
- Special
Note: Addictive! The nice girl on
bike 26 (who left before I could get her name), said she started on 2-3 times a
week but now goes 5 days a week.
The Want to
Know:
- Who’s it
For: For those who are after a
sweaty, hardworking solid workout to decent tunes
- Sweat
Scale: 8/10.
- Strength /
Cardio / Flexi / Tone: Cardio
- Complexity: 6/10. You ride.
- Fun Factor:
8/10
- Changing
Facilities: A few shower
and a toilet in the changing room.
- Instructor
Inspiration: 9/10. 9. Nuff said.
The Stats:
- Total Time: 43mins
- Calories Burnt: Who
knows?! Lots?
- Average
Heart Rate: ??
- Max Heart Rate: ???????? Until
next time! |
| Enthusiastic (and FIT) Instructor Emily |
 |
| Miss M and I outside the studio |
 |
| Miss M's Freaky Toe-Trainers! (see Day 30 willPower and grace) |
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