About twice a week, I take synchronized weightlifting classes (also known as "Body Pump" or "Reebok Core," etc.) at my gym, since doing weights by myself is only slightly more exciting than watching paint dry.
Not only are these classes a generally fun and effective way to build muscle tone without falling asleep, they also offer quite pleasant, ahem, views... especially since well over half of the class tends to be female. :-)
So far, so good, right? Well, except for last night, when I decided to try out the same class with a different instructor.
I arrived a bit late to this particularly crowded class, and learned to my chagrin that there was but one weight clip left. Determined not to miss out on the class due to this little technicality, I assured myself that I could balance the weights on my barbell just fine. Therefore, I politely declined the kindly offer of my friendly workout neighbor who pointed to his extra handweights.
Everything was going just hunky dory... the weights were staying on, I was getting a fine workout in this new class, and -- the occasional pig that I am -- I was none-to-disappointed at my default placement at the back of the room.
When it came time for over-the-head presses (or whatever they're actually called when you lay down on a bench and lift the weights over your head repeatedly), I was on top of the world... ably lifting more than my typical load and feeling good about it, thankyouverymuch. Unfortunately, moments later, half of my weights decided they weren't quite as happy with the arrangement, choosing to hop off my barbell onto the floor with a loud CRASH.
Becoming perilously unbalanced with now lots of weight on one side of me and no weight on the other side, I pretty quickly and gracelessly tumbled off my bench on to the floor, resulting in an extra double kathunk (my body, followed by the remaining weights, which -- though it would have muffled the crash -- thankfully didn't land on top of me).
Upon realizing that the only serious injury was to my pride, the instructor bellowed "Missing weight clips?" just as the entire class looked over at the New Guy in a combination of horror, amusement, and disdain.
What a weighty and embarrassing first impression! :|
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