Confession of a Step Aerobics Drop Out

By , SparkPeople Blogger
People often ask me why I run. Well for one, I have always wanted to experience the challenge of a good run to see where these old legs could take me, but more importantly it didn’t require much coordination on my part. All’s you have to do is lace up your shoes and head out the door. You run so far and head back home.

I can’t tell you how many times when I was stretching at my gym I would gaze in wonder in the glass enclosed studio as the throngs of women and men performed grapevines over and around their steps all set to the beat of some really great music. I mean who wouldn’t love to do that! The camaraderie in the class seemed like so much fun as they high-fived one another after each routine, dripping in sweat while taking swigs of water in between workouts.

Two years ago, at the urging of a dear friend, I put on my cross trainers and headed to studio one. Melissa, the aerobics instructor, was perky as usual and was so kind to introduce the two newbies to the rest of the class. Hey, I was beginning to feel like one of the gang. The 'regulars' were all so eager to show me the equipment while insisting it would be best if I situated myself at the front of the class to have a better view, even though I would have preferred to be in the back.

Before class began, Melissa went over a few movements which seemed fairly easy when done very slowly. Then she added the beat of some really great disco tunes. This was it; I was going to be a step aerobics queen! All of a sudden she started calling out the steps, turns, jumps, etc as I looked like a deer in the headlights. When the class was going right, I was going left when they were making turns I was still going right. And let’s not even talk about doing the grapevine. Funny how easy it looks when others do it, but the minute I tried, I truly had two left feet. Let’s just say it was NOT good.

While I didn’t go down in defeat after my first class, I did give it a few more tries before I retired my cross trainers for other activities which required little or no rhythmic coordination. However, I did take lots of fond memories with me that still make me laugh today. I realized after my many attempts this was not the class for me. I have such a deep appreciation for all the men and women who attend class week in and week out--they certainly make it look so easy and effortless. My hat goes off to you, the step aerobic warriors.

But as with everything in my life, there is a lesson to be learned and this lesson taught me that we are all different. Some people can run, some people can swim, some people can cycle, and others do quite well in step aerobics, but we should NOT have to participate in an activity that we DO NOT enjoy just to get fit and healthy. That being said, trying something new is well worth the risk. How do we know what we do well in or what we like unless we are willing to take risks, even if that means we have to put ourselves out there, after all isn’t that what life is all about?

Have you participated in a sport/activity that was challenging in the beginning, but you now have a passion for it? Are you willing to take risks when it comes to trying new activities? Do you accept the fact that we can’t be great at everything we try, but if we keep looking we will find our passion?