Prior to attending my first class at Sweat and Gears, I'd attended one cycling class in my life. For years, my primary sport had been running, which I loved. I stopped about five years ago, after I tore my meniscus post-half marathon. Some runners can keep going through the pain of that injury, but I could not. My running days behind me, I turned to other forms of exercise-walking, the elliptical, hot yoga-but for me, none of those activities were a quality replacement for running (though I know they can be for other people). There was no comparable, exhilarating sweat-factor, nor that duo of rigor-meets-effortlessness you get on a really good run. Upon the recommendation of a friend, I signed up for a Sweat and Gears class one Saturday morning. I admit to a certain amount of intimidation, because I knew nothing of cycling, didn't know the vocabulary or rules of the sport, nor any of the very basics, like how to fit myself for the bike. But, everyone was quite friendly and welcoming, and, I figured we were there for roughly the same purpose: to work out, to feel a sense of athleticism and accomplishment, and to make strides with personal (or professional) fitness goals. I parked myself at what I hoped was the most inconspicuous bike in the room. Though buoyed by the excellent music, I rode slowly, and finished, exhausted, dead last. But, I appreciated knowing my rank at all-I liked knowing my stats, and how I had placed compared to other cyclers. In this case, it was motivating to finish last because there was nowhere to go but up, and I made a mental note to come back for more. I have been back once or twice a week for the past eight weeks. Recently, my husband came with me and really enjoyed his experience, primarily because he felt he'd gotten in an excellent work out. The classes have a distinct energy, and while each class certainly has a similar construction-warm up, work out, wind down-the work out portion is always unique in terms of its demands and structure, and quite challenging. Between the varied music, individual stats displayed on the monitors (interspersed with video to make it appear as though one is cycling peacefully through the Alps in springtime), the experience doesn't leave a moment for boredom or doubt-it's really fun, and a really great workout. I often, if not always, still finish last. But, my RPMs have slowly increased, and I have found some type of rhythm on the bike: I no longer feel quite so much that my legs and feet are made of lead, and sometimes manage to find an equilibrium that makes pedaling feel fluid, almost effortless (when it truly is not!). I've found that sweaty, endorphin-driven work out that I missed so much, and plan on making cycling at Sweat and Gears part of my workout routine for a long time to come. Z.R.
