40) Group Exercise

Every Sunday I take a Kwando class at the local Bally’s. Kwando, for those of you who aren’t familiar with current martial-arts-hybrid-exercises, is an hour of cardio kick boxing. Picture a room full of women (and two men) punching, kicking and knee raising in sync, all while bouncing around in a boxer’s stance.

Since every wall in this room is a mirror, I have a lot of time to watch myself and watch others during the class. If you’ve ever seen a cartoon where a scrawny little guy tries to punch a larger guy, and the larger guy just strong arms him by the head, you’ve seen me in Kwando class. I feel like the smaller guy, flailing his arms wildly but only hitting air. I like to think that it releases any pent up aggression, but who knows. It’s a great work out though, and the hour usually flies by. The instructor has this one CD that she plays every session, and whenever we get to OutKast’s The Way You Move, there’s this energy surge that ripples through the class. It’s like the perfect combination of bass and tempo and lyrics about moving your body. It’s amazing what music can do.

There are a couple older ladies in the class (late forties, early fifties?) who periodically yell out WHOOOOO’s of exhilaration and encouragement. I’d like to think that when I’m that age, I’ll be open enough to do the same. Exercise as a group effort is such a funny concept. Gym time is usually private time, everyone in their own world with ear buds firmly planted. Make eye contact with someone for too long - creepy. Approach someone in your huffy, sweaty state - unheard of. But in a group class, exercise becomes this unifying experience, however grueling and painful. There’s an instant, unspoken camaraderie as you march in time together.