rpm and other torture techniques

rpm is a les mills indoor cycle class. it stands for raw power in motion. i'm starting to think it should stand for really painful madness. i (along with 4 other instructors from my gym) recently went through a rigorous 2 day training to teach rpm.

i have to say i have a new respect for rpm instructors. it's a hard class! and even harder to teach. the instructor has to memorize very detailed choreography (when to sit, when to stand, when to add and subtract tension on the wheel etc....) for a 50 minute class. in order to be officially certified, we have to video ourselves teaching the class and send it in for critique. if it's not perfect (or close), we have to do it again.....

now, that having been said, there are many instructors who can master this in no time flat. it is aerobics after-all, not medical school. i can memorize choreography and lyrics quite well. i know every song lyric to every song from 1981-1989....i know every word from every john hughes movie from beginning to end.....if only i could empty my brain of all that garbage so i could fit some new stuff in there....

my problem is my rhythm. i don't have any. none. zero. nada. i couldn't locate a beat if it hit me with a sledgehammer. up until now, i've been teaching "free style" cycle. when the music is fast, we pedal fast. when the music is slow, we pedal slow. sadly, that's not going to work for rpm. not only do i have to hear the beat, i have to FEEL it.

today we had our first official rpm practice. it was so awesome. the class is really upbeat and has great music. i'm super excited to teach it! but first, i must learn it. i even caved and finally bought some cycle shoes. i REALLY wanted to buy a drop dead gorgeous B. Makowsky satchel, but alas, that was not to be....

I'm ready to take it on....really ready. i will practice, practice, practice until i get it right! sore bum be damned :)