When someone told me that spinning classes were fun, I didn't really take too much notice. Mainly because I didn't have a clue what they were. But when it was explained to me in great detail, I was, I confess, slightly curious. So much so, that when realbuzz asked me to have a go at a few things, it was top of my wish list. My main thought was, how hard can it be? Me and an exercise bike? Boy was I in for a shock.

The class at my local gym is so popular it took me a week to get a slot. But as I wandered into the studio at 9.43am, for my 9.45am class, I felt slightly smug. I mean really. A bike. Pah. I've run a marathon I thought. This will feel like a walk in the park.

12 minutes later, I honestly thought I was going to be sick. My bum hurt. A lot. It still does. In fact sitting down gently is the order of the day and probably will be for the next few days. Sir Chris Hoy must have buttocks of steel. The sweat was pouring off my forehead and Steve, my chief tormentor, or instructor to everybody else, was bellowing; "C'mon guys, race to the line."

If I could have got off my bike at that point, without collapsing, I would no doubt have marched up to him and given him a hearty slap. Not that the burn from the lactic acid was entirely his fault, but still, really, c'mon yourself Steve,  and let me have a little breather. But no. And worst of all, I was sat directly in his eyeline. I had picked a bike on the back row, confident that someone would sit in front of me. Sadly I was wrong, which was absolutely brilliant. Because the lovely Steve could throw me the occasional pitying glance as I pedaled furiously, while shouting vociferously at the rest of the class to "pick it up". Presumably he was referring to the vomit that must have been strewn around the studio by other poor souls like myself.

One of the many things that amazed me, was the amount of pedaling you do standing up. I must have scaled the north face of the Eiger with the amount of climbing I did. Although that brings me no consolation I might add, as I sit here slumped over the computer. My husband has just described my demeanour as listless. That is frankly polite.

However a miracle occurred at around 23 minutes (of the 45, yes I said 45). I actually started to enjoy myself, in a sado-maschistic kind of a way. The lactic acid had gone, who knows where, but I realized that if you really went for it, strangely it felt better. I wouldn't say it was pleasant, but certainly bearable. I think one of the things that saved me is the amount of stepping I do in my regular gym sessions. And also weirdly I found it easier to pedal in a low gear standing up, than sitting down, and by low I mean around 15/16.

So, when we got to the end I felt a grim satisfaction. My face was beetroot-coloured and I smelt a little unpleasant. But I didn't, as expected, fall off the bike, a la Bridget Jones, although my right knee did buckle as I bade a cheery farewell to a startled Steve. "See you next week," I lied. Hmmm. Maybe not next week, but I think I will attempt it again. I really can see how it gives you a brilliant workout and an incredible high. And hey, no pain, no gain.

So please tell me I am not alone. I really would like to think whether spinning brought you just as much pain as it did me first time around. Or if you have never tried it before, give it a go and let me/us know how you found it. All stories and comments gratefully received.

And if you feel you might like to see me try something else that is gym-class based, I am all ears. That is about the only part of me that still functions without pain right now.....

Tags: spinning class, sir chris hoy, bridget jones, gym classes

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