Forgive me father, for I have sinned, it has been 10 months since my last spin class. But in all seriousness, spinning was a huge part of my life in the states and it has definitely been something that’s been missing since I’ve been in Korea. This past month I finally joined a high class gym that offers spinning classes. I was nervous to take my first class. Even though I taught spinning once or twice a week in the states, it was still 10 months ago. Even a week without it isn’t good for your body.
If you’ve taken spin classes in the states you know that they consist of drills of sprints, climbs, and jumps and normally the instructor chooses some motivating music to go along with drills. In the Korean version of spin class you instantly feel like a K-pop star in a music performance. American spin classes focus on drills that give cardio but also build muscle in the legs. Korean spin classes are the exact opposite. They focus on the upper body and abs. At first I was skeptical. There were no climbs or tension changes throughout the whole class and your butt was off the seat the entire 50 minutes. In the end, I’ve probably sweat more than I ever have in my entire life. Who said Koreans don’t like to sweat! Basically you feel like you’re in a nightclub with your feet strapped onto a bike. The music is all K-pop and we followed the instructor through choreographed arm and upper body movements all while pedaling away. There was a disco ball and crazy lights the whole time. By the end, the room was a steam room, and I have to admit it was an amazing workout. If I have a chance to teach spinning again when I go back to the states I know exactly how I will teach it. I think I’ve found my new addiction!
Somewhere in Seoul 