I’ll be the first to admit that sports and athletics have never been my thing and the thought of running a 5k always intimidated me. So you could imagine how shocked I was to find out that I actually enjoy cycling classes and walking away from them drenched in sweat from a good workout.

Whenever I bring this up to my peers, I tend to get the same reaction. “What’s cycling?” They all ask.

To be fair, I didn’t know much about this activity before I started it. When I saw people at the gym on the bikes, it never looked as though it was difficult, but I was wrong.

I attended my first cycling class about 3 months ago, and failed miserably as I attempted to stand up and pedal on the bike. My guess is that it was because of my lack of leg muscles and all around lack of physical activity, unfortunately. My legs were also sore for about a week after that first class, which I didn’t think was possible. I dreaded the thought of taking another cycling class for fear of the same embarrassing turnout. However, I realized that I shouldn’t be embarrassed by not being able to stand on the cycling bike; it is dark in the room after all. Instead I used this as a motivation and a goal, and told myself that no matter what I will accomplish this.

So I spent my time participating in other workout classes at the Buffalo Athletic Club instead, such as pilates and a class called body blitz. I guess you could say I was training myself for the challenge ahead and you could imagine my excitement when, about a month ago, I was finally able to stand on the cycling bike and participate to the full extent with everyone else in the class. I’m not sure if it was the loud music, my adrenaline, or the fact that I made the mistake of drinking two glasses of wine the night before, but immediately after the class ended I looked at my sister, who had gone with me, and told her that I was going to be sick. Luckily I made it to the restroom just in time.

I took this experience as a breakthrough, no matter how unpleasant it might come across. Sometimes you have to push your limits in order to reach your full potential. Mine in this case just so happens to be completing a cycling class.

Now I can admit that I’m obsessed with cycling and go just about every single day if I can. It represents much more than just another work out class. It shows that if you set a fitness goal, no matter how big or small, and you really stick to it, then you can achieve it.

After I try out BikeorBar, located in the Elmwood village, my next challenge is going to be rock climbing and not stopping half way up the wall using the excuse that I’m too short to reach the pegs.

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