Took rowing for the first time last night.  Before that, my rowing experience consisted of dating a rowbro.  I was prepared for ab work, but this particular class didn’t really work much of anything besides the areas under the four new blisters I got on my hands.

The rowing machines were arranged in three rows, and we were told that we’re a team of boats.  I’m not sure I understood the analogy.  I might have been like a captain or something because the teacher put me up front.  That was lucky – I would have picked the back, and I would have been able to ID the girl who was grunting anytime we were told to push with medium power.  I’m better off not knowing who she is so I won’t feel uncomfortable if I run into her at the gym.

Also, he gave us visualizations throughout the class.  They were mostly about teamwork and being in boats.  I don’t get into those at all because I really like being indoors.  If I had to pretend I’m out in nature, I’d be pretty annoyed at the sun and distracted thinking about whether or not my sunscreen has been compromised.  I love being in controlled, air conditioned environments.  Maybe they should tell us to imagine other, more lush rooms with better lighting.  I should think about a Renzo Piano-designed gym next time I spin.

The rowing machines were super good, though.  Pulling the lever rotates blades inside a container of water, which makes the sound of water being rowed.  That was the best part of the class.

Here’s the playlist from the last rowing class I will ever take:

Lenny Kravitz – “American Woman”

Coldplay – “Clocks”

U2 – “Beautiful Day”

Sting – “Desert Rose”

Creed – “Higher”

Foo Fighters – “My Hero”

David Cook – “Billie Jean”

Seal – “Crazy”

I’m missing two tracks: another rawk cover that I forgot and a nu metal song I couldn’t sort out.

Tags: fitness, From