Cappy's, round one

My take on the first trip to Cappy's - R's quips on my post in italics

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Saturday morning, I took a boxing fitness class. Basically everyone I told this to raised an eyebrow. Even if we were speaking on the phone, I could still hear the skeptical lift. I can't say that I know just what a "boxing" type is; I just know that I'm not it. Current workout resurgence aside, I'm not of the "hit the gym" varitey. MAYBE a stroll around Greenlake, if I'm feeling frisky. But boxing? Ha! But the way that fellow 18-week-challenger R talked about the class, I couldn't resist. I wanted a REAL workout.

When I'm feeling frisky I like to dress in knee socks and play "exchange student" with my boyfriend. Just kidding. I love the instant toughness that this class gives you. It's always given me a little momentum: I'm going to Cappy's.


I arrived an anxious 20 minutes early last Saturday. It was cold outside, but I still waited out front, suffering a chill to postpone the embarrassment of walking in the door and being the new guy. Once the instructor spotted me hovering, she called me in. "First time?" she asked. Hmmm, what gave me away? I filled out the requisite forms and had her wrap my hands for me after handing over the $5 for an introductory class.

In my experience a look of panic and fear of pain typically gives first-timers away. That and the death grip on the cup of coffee.


My buddy + partner joined me as the room began to fill up with people in EXTREMELY good shape. I grabbed a jump rope with a sigh, wondering if I even could jump rope any more. As we got started, the answer became clear: I can sorta jump rope. The first cycle of cardio is kind of a blur, but it was something like jump roping, scary squat jump things, jump roping, scary squat jumps, jump roping, pushups [or, if you are me, trying to hold a plank pose] ad infinitum.

I like how I'm not included in the segment of people in extremely good shape here. You're cruisin for a KO, lady. Kidding again- as I warned you before the class, I have the endurance and agility of a baby hamster with a muscular deficiency. That cardio cycle hurts me every time. It feels soooo good once you've made it through it, though!


At some point, just to add to the fun, my pants started falling down while jump roping. Not OFF, thank goodness, but I was the awkward one pausing to hike them up. Oy.

I still say go no pants next time. Just socks!


Next we worked with a medicine ball, at one point throwing it back and forth while skipping sideways. This didn't kick my ass quite as much as I suspected it would. I think next time we should use a real medicine ball, not a 'pastel colored' one.

Our ball was special and so are we.


After all of that business was circuits. Only, in my confusion, I didn't really understand we were doing circuits. This is my only explanation for how we ended up in what R has termed the "accidental superman." When the buzzer went off, I wasn't sure what we were supposed to be doing, so I looked to see what two other super fit partners were up to. They were doing supermans, laying on their stomachs with arms + legs extended + lifted. Our dear instructor, so helpful and patient, couldn't help but sound a little disappointed in us when she came to ask what on earth we were doing. Ah, learning curve.

Ah the accidental superman. I had a feeling that wasn't our next move, but I didn't want to come across as a know-it-all. Whatever. The hilarious image of us just dropping to the floor and extending our arms and legs to the sky for no reason will stay with me forever.


The rest of it was awesome, save the speedbag. That contraption continues to be beyond me. Oh, and the side plank things. That didn't happen, but R and I did get a chance to catch up while I sat there and chatted with her instead. Ooops! Most of it was gratifying and tough work. Turns out, I LOVE to throw a left hook. And by the time we did 3 minutes of jump rope at the end, I wanted MORE.

You are going to kill it this week! Awesome.

More is just what I'll get when we go back this Saturday. Proof that the workout is worth any sheepish feelings you have to overcome when walking in the door the first time.

Well put. See you back in the ring.