A New Passion

I recently discovered the world of Pole Fitness at the tender age of 42 years and 11 months.  I attended an "all about pole" introductory workshop where they showed us a butt kicking workout and taught us one teeny tiny simple spin.  There was nothing sleazy or even remotely sexy about it.  It was just an awesome workout and a glimpse of the muscles and feats that could possibly come.  And I fell in love, was immediately hooked, 100% ALL IN!  Why?  Oh...so, so, so many reasons! 

For starters, I have discovered muscles I never knew I had!  Muscles buried deep, deep, deep within myself.  Muscles that never imagined they might be summoned and put to work in this fashion!  Muscles in my arms, my back, my abs, my ARMS, my legs, my chest, MY ARMS!!!!  Awesome new muscles. 

And it's pushing me out of my comfort zone.  WAAAAAAAY out of my comfort zone!  It requires one to dig deep and let go.  Sometimes...literally!  Letting go of that pole with one, or BOTH hands scares the mess out of me!  I'm not typically a brave, dare devil type.  But pole makes me feel like I am!  I watch our instructor and I am AMAZED.  Beyond impressed.  She is so fluid and strong on that pole.  The way she pulls herself up, up and up and spins and twirls and then flips upside down, hanging on only by her thigh muscles....YOWZA!!!!  I'm even more impressed with all of it now than when I started because now, after a couple of months of classes, I know just how much PAIN is involved and what it takes to do that and I am, daily, newly blown away!  I also, as a side note, feel compelled to mention that I am still FIRMLY planted in an upright position on the LOWER half of the pole!  I can "one hand" it OCCASIONALLY...but for the most part...this gal has two hands on the wheel at all times!  I'm working on that.  Slowly.  But most definitely! 

And it's FUN!!!!!  Just plain old, super fantastic, love every second of it FUN!  You wouldn't believe how quickly an hour can go by when you are spinning and working out on the poles!  Time literally flies by!  And it's such a fun and supportive group of women!  The group I work out with is all moms.  Some a little younger, some a little older.  Some a little thinner and some a little more generously padded.  And every single one of them makes that class amazing!  We laugh so much and have a blast cheering on each other's accomplishments!  The hours I spend there with those gals on the poles are the best hours of my week! 

Now...it's not ALL fun and games.  In the interest of full disclosure, I have to tell you that there have been a few bumps in the road!  For example...three weeks into my classes, I managed to dislocate my rib.  OUCH!!!!  That was an ordeal and put me out of activity for a solid three weeks!  I thought it would NEVER get better!  But it finally did, and on my birthday, I got the go ahead to return to classes.  I was over the moon excited.  I was back for ONE week and while doing a spin series, managed to break TWO toes!  I'm not even sure at what point in class I broke the toes...I was having too much fun to notice!  But I sure noticed by the end of class!  FOUR weeks later, I am still sporting tape wrapped toes and they are still not entirely happy with me.  In addition to the breaks and dislocates....I've also had my fair share of bruises.  Here is a collection for your viewing enjoyment! 

Inner thigh bruise with pole burn!  The bruise is covering the huge KNOT that came with it!

My newest bruise of the week! 

I've also bruised my shins, my feet, my knees.  You name it...I've bruised it!  My hubby has wondered on more than one occasion why in the world I want to do this.  It's completely unlike me to collect so many injuries and just keep going back for more!  What can I say?  I am officially addicted!  I will leave you today with the very first spin I learned to do back on day zero at the workshop where the pole stole my heart!  Hopefully, there will be many more to come!

So there you have it!  My new passion.  My new addiction.  The activity that I cannot wait to wake up each day and do!  Wish me luck!  I imagine it's going to be a pretty wild ride!