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Rediscovering the Athlete in Me
How a workout experiment helped editor Julie Anne Russell reconnect with her sporty side
Last summer, a friend’s wedding events included what was described as an “intermediate” hike. As it turned out, the entire wedding party would be trekking up the steep slope of a 3,000-foot Alaskan peak. I’ve hiked my whole life and have always thought of myself as an active, athletic person, so why was I feeling nervous?
I’m in decent shape; my city lifestyle requires miles of daily walking. But it’s the kind of activities I used to do fearlessly — swimming across a lake, running an impromptu five miles, learning to wakeboard — that now give me pause. Unexpectedly, I now doubt my own strength.
I don’t work out like I should, due to a horror of treadmills and an alarm clock that never seems to go off when I commit myself to a Saturday-morning jog. But what I’ve been considering an inactive phase is starting to feel like a way of life.
So I decided to throw myself into a workout experiment to discover what it would take to get me motivated and back in touch with the sporty girl I still feel I am inside. And, more important, with the athletic woman I want to be. With a free pass in hand, I stepped into sweats and headed to the gym.
Um, dois, tres, quatro… First stop, Rio! I signed up for a capoeira class, which modifies the Afro-Brazilian, dance-infused martial art. Waiting in the studio for the session to begin, I felt timid, like a kindergartener on the first day of school. How should I arrange my mat? What if I don’t know how to count in Portuguese?
But once the instructor turned on the Brazilian beats and led us in stretches and crunches, I started to relax. And sweat. As I soon discovered, capoeira class involves running around the studio, doing cartwheels and headstands, and learning choreography, all while attempting not to crash into your classmates or smack anyone in the face with an errant kick.
Years of childhood dance training paid off, however, as I quickly learned the moves, swinging into straight-legged kicks and diving into deep lunges. I realized: a) I couldn’t catch my breath, and b) despite this, I was having fun. More fun than I’d ever had at the gym.
Despite my sore muscles, I practically skipped home with excitement, thinking that if I grew stronger and fitter, I’d be better able to do more complicated choreography and maybe even transform my (lame) kick-ups into a proper headstand. Capoeira had me hooked.
Ommmmm Next up was yoga, which I hadn’t done in years but had always enjoyed — especially the part where you fall asleep on your mat as you meditate. I was looking forward to some good stretching, too, as my aching body was still feeling the capoeira.
But as the teacher guided us through the downward dog, baby cobra and warrior poses, my mind wandered, until it wasn’t remotely focused on my breathing, as the instructor was saying it should be. To my surprise, I realized I was a little bored; clearly I needed more excitement to stay motivated.
Feel the beat I next tried an African dance class with three drummers performing live in the studio, which certainly provided enough noise to wake me up on an early morning. The instructor led the class — oh so quickly — through the choreography: broad, exuberant sweeps of the arms and rhythmic, bouncing steps.
I lurked at the back of the line trying to mimic the teacher and then flailed my way across the floor, probably picking up less than half the movements. The women at the front looked like graceful birds swooping over water, while I appeared more like an ugly duckling trying to take off for the first time. In addition to my less-than-stellar performance, I didn’t feel I needed to be in better shape to be good at this, just a better African dancer. Result: not the workout I was looking for.
At the core I squatted in the chair pose for less than 20 seconds before my leg muscles started to burn. And then shake. I snuck a peek at the instructor, with her back pressed to the wall, her legs bent at a 90-degree angle and a serene look on her face quite unlike my grimace of pain. So this was Pilates!
I had heard of Pilates before, of course, but always wondered what could be so hard about a few sit-ups. An agonizing hour later, I knew. Pilates combines crunches done with your legs held in the air, push-ups done while balancing your legs on a ball, and sit-ups done with the same large, heavy, sand-filled ball held in your arms, for an insanely difficult core workout. I was instantly addicted. Here was a class where my progress would be easy to chart and, like capoeira, where I saw right away how becoming stronger would help me improve.
So I ended my experiment with a plan to pick up two new hobbies — capoeira and Pilates — that promise to leave me aching and exhausted every week. At least until I get stronger. I’m up for the challenge. In fact, I’ve discovered it’s the challenge that motivates me. Like that mountain last summer, which I did climb despite my worries. Only next time, I’m not planning on being worried.
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You have officially motivated me!!! I have never been a big exercise person. I enjoy exerting myself if it involves an activity like playing tennis, swimming or hiking, etc. but I have always had a hard time getting myself to stop my busy day to exercise. Joining a dance or self-defense/martial arts class seems like a really fun way of becoming more fit.
I have never heard of capoeira until now. It sounds like a fun way to get and stay in shape. Thanks for reminding me to look for ways to stay fit that motivate ME!
Danielle621- If you can't find the classes above at your gym, look around for other dance-inspired workouts, like hip-hop, belly-dancing and barre workouts. Happy exercising! -Julie, makinglifebetter editor
Nice reminder that the new year could mean some changes to the work-out routine (or lack of...) I am also intrigued by capoeira...
how impressive are you? i'm totally ashamed of doing NOTHING. There, i admitted it. Let's see if i come back later with news that i've added just one healthy activity to my life!
I loved your descriptions - and had to laugh at some of them. It reminded me of my thoughts in class.I look forward to hearing if you continue !
Wow...choices I never knew about. Pilates..heard of it..think it's mainly for women?! or can I go?? The Capoeira is AWESOME..I usually pick one up (Grande' with a crumb cake)on the way to work. :) So J.A.R-- I need to know which class had more men? TY, M.J
MickJ- There were men in all of the classes I tried, but yoga had the most male participants. (Surprised?) So yes! You can go to Pilates! It's a great workout for men and women. -Julie, makinglifebetter editor
thanks for the inspiration! I am going to try Capoeira again!!! The first and only class I took...someone kicked me right in the head (by mistake?). Next time I'll be sure and keep my distance!
My son is involved in Tae KwonDo and I decided to give it a try...not only is it a workout for your body but it also works your mind and keeps you focused. My class is invigorating and fun. On the plus side, I also get to spend time with my son while he is training for his next competition!
In case you have a hard time getting to the gym due to a jam packed schedule like me..... TurboJam.... the dvds, include a lot of the capoeria moves, and has an AWSOME 20 minutes workout. The first two weeks I used this program I lost seven pounds and dropped 3 pants sizes, and the workout only took as long as it would take me to drive to the gym. There is also a 20 minutes ab routine that I coupled with the turbo jam quick workout. It is about $70, but thats less than an activation fee for a gym membership.
I am currently in Pheonix AZ just having finished my second half marathon. I am 45 both by age and probably amount overweight:) But I found the motivation through Team in Training-a fund raising event that will allow you to travel free to the destination of your choice if you raise the allotted funds for charity. My first year I went to san francisco for the NIKE walk. The team has coaches and sets meet time for training and will stick with you every step of the way with mentors and coaches. You will help yourself, you will help others and you will open up possibilities for accomplishing things you never knew you could. I am not a marathon kind of gal but I have two medals that say otherwise. Now get up off the couch and take your first step!! Look em up on the internet:)
Hi Julie, My name is Ray and I want to compliment you on how great you look! What capoeira class do you go to? I'm also taking a capoeira class down at Crunch on Union Square. We meet around 7:30ish on Tues and Thursday. Maybe we can meet and we can jam together. If you have a boyfriend then don't bother coming. Please look for me, I’m the one they call RAY with the purple bandana.
You've definitely inspired me to jump onto the capoeira bandwagon! To your point, if nothing else, I'll learn how to count in Portuguese...
I loved reading this again! it gives me incentive !