Getting over my fitness fear

Photos: Psycle London

I have never been into exercise. I was always that girl in PE class that would do everything and anything to get out of it. Endless sick notes, extra IT class... You name it, if it got me out of doing exercise, I'd be there. 

Honestly, I think part of it always came down to the fear of trying. I didn't generally like the competitive edge to it as in my head, I was terrible at sport and would therefore always be the worst. I hated it and honestly I never thought anything would get me into doing anything fitness related again. 

I wrote a post over a year ago on an exercise class that broke my aversion to fitness. It was a spinning class in Canary Wharf called Psycle and I absolutely fell in love with it. I think I'd been to a couple of classes across their branches near Canary Wharf and Oxford Street before I wrote the post and at that point, my mind was blown that I was enjoying it - and to this day, I'm still hooked. 

I remember seeing people talk about the class, and there was something in me that thought perhaps I could try it one day, but honestly, my fear of exercise always got the better of me and it never became much more than a passing thought. Eventually, the email came with an invite and with the opportunity to drag along a friend, I took it with (slightly) open arms. I can't tell you how nervous I was. I didn't know what to expect, but bringing along my bestie meant that the pressure was taken off a little. I knew I'd struggle, I mean it had been years and years since I'd done anything that broke a sweat and struggling to make it to the top of a staircase definitely doesn't count. 

Psycle spinning classes aren't quite like I'd expected. I'd heard horror stories about spinning. In fact when I told people that's where I was heading that evening, I really expected the worst.  But Psycle is just so welcoming. From the time you step into the building, everyone is so friendly and helpful and although I was still incredibly nervous that first time, it really helped to diminish that. The fact that the facilities are so beautiful are just an added bonus (because trust me, they really are. Hello Sachajuan in the changing rooms). You set up your bike, with the help of their super lovely staff if needed and the lights go down, coloured lights flash to loud music and you just get into it. It is tough, I'm absolutely not saying it isn't but the fact that it's so fun gets you past that. 

Everyone that knows me will have had to listen to my general spiel about how incredible Psycle is, hell if ou follow me on social media, Twitter especially you'll probably have noticed my endless tweets expressing my love for the class but if you're around London, you need to give it a go. Fitness pro or not, everyones there, everyone is doing there best and it feels so empowering. 

But this kind of isn't the point. Yes Psycle is incredible and is 100% the reason I get any sort of exercise in my life but I wanted to put across the point of how amazing it makes me feel. I come out of a class and my mood is boosted. I could go in feeling terrible, but without fail I always come out with a massive smile on my face. It makes me so happy and it's all because I got over that hurdle of my fitness fear. Spinning might not be for you. I know it's not for everyone, but you just need to find your groove. Try a few things out, drag a friend or your boyfriend along with you for support. Make it fun. 

I try and go one a week to get my fix, which I know isn't loads but like Lily Pebbles said in her latest vlog, at least we're blooming doing something. I try to keep it regular but I'm not going to lie, it hasn't always been that easy. There are so many hurdles that have popped up which get me out of my routine and I the fear of exercise returns every time, but I guess after a couple of times of getting over it, you learn it's always worthwhile in the end. Especially if you're having fun doing it. 

Now I'm becoming a regular spinning fanatic, I think it's probably about time I up my game in the fitness department. I picked up what I wear to spin in a couple of years ago when I decided I wanted to start doing some fitness in my bedroom. That swiftly failed and they became unloved and pushed to the back of the drawer. They're from H&M and were incredible value but I'm on the hunt for something else. I've got a few sports bras already, I used to just wear my normal underwired bras spinning and because I've got small boobs I thought it wouldn't really make a difference.... But let me tell you, sports bras are life changing. If you know, you know. I've got tops, I've got trainers (though for Psycle, they give you special cleated shoes that snap into the bike to make it easier) but it's the workout leggings I'm really looking to upgrade. Mine have become a little thin, a little less form fitting and I really want to pick up a new pair. I've been a bit torn between getting something a little on the higher end of the market like Nike or Sweaty Betty or something a little more affordable (which is absolutely what my bank balance is edging me to go for. I am currently eyeing up the range at Manière De Voir. It looks really great quality and the prices are brilliant. I'm still deciding though, so watch this space to see what I go for... 

I know this post has been a bit of a corker, but this post has been a year in the making and I've been waiting for the right time and for the right words to come to me. But really, I just wanted to say that if I can get over my fitness fear, you can too. 

Lorna x

This post features a sponsored link from Manière De Voir but as always all thoughts are my own

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