I took for granted walking into the same gym for the last 3 years. I forgot the feeling of walking into a building, not knowing a soul, clueless as to where the good cardio machines were, or where to find the cold water fountains.
I realized this once I started visiting the local Ys around Nashville. I've been to 2 now. The first one is located downtown and looks like a resort or hotel. Sure, it's nice and new and smells good, but I felt incredibly out of place. I was expected to pay for a parking deck, which I despise to begin with, then take elevators up and over and around to walk aimlessly trying to find the elliptical machine. I finally found the rows of machines of choice, each with full cable tv screens (Yes free cable!). The windows overlook downtown Nashville, again spiffy, but I still felt uncomfortable! Everywhere I looked was either body building man, marathon trainers, or contestants on Miss USA. I worked out and practically kept running to my car that I couldn't find in the parking deck.
Luckily, my temp pass allows me to visit the different locations in the city. The next Y I tried out yesterday was in the Green Hills area. After wandering around, I found an older building and a newer addition. I found my beloved outdoor pool and a great cardio area, with yes, more built in tv screens! (I got in a few TLC episodes I so miss!) I liked this location much better, normal people with normal bodies and no parking deck. Yet, the highlight of my day was my Zumba class. Now, I attended zumba regularly in Charlotte and am used to abandoning my poise or any sort of class just to shake it, turn it, twist it. However, this day was more than I ever expected.
Our instructor started out with a mix of clubbing bump and grind and an altered version of latin dancing. For a split second, I thought about walking out of the door to look at the schedule and make sure I was in zumba. I look around and see 80 year old man who may not make it through the hour, then walks in 14 year old pig tailed girl who thinks she is featured on Save The Last Dance, who of course stands next to me. In the back left was me, with the smirk on my face, laughing hysterically inside. The instructor lady did not care about any traditional sense of dance or zumba... and I kindof liked it! Surprisingly, I looked around and saw a random assortment of 40 people dancing and moving with every fiber in their bodies. So, I joined. I danced and pretended I could copy the clubbin bumpin jumpin moves going on up front. Then, the soul train line formed. Yes, the instructor said it was time to dance fo real.... 80 yr old man shook his thing and 14 year old crip walked, the worm even showed up. No, I did not have a dance solo, not this time at least.
I was definitely out of my comfort zone, but actually enjoyed it. I would go back. Why not? I got a great work out and felt pretty good about it. Zumba as I knew it is now tainted, but I'm okay with it.
I sure do wish I had a video clip to add to this post... haha