OK, Minneapolis, so I KNOW I’m a little (a lot?) behind the 8-ball on this one.
Gerry Haeger has been kicking a$$ in the group fitness community for YEARS…like 20…at least.
I’ve heard people mention her, say I should try her classes, tell me they’re good, blah, blah, blah.
I’m REALLY picky when it comes to group fitness instructors.
I mean…REEEEAAAAALLLLLY particular about who I give my time and attention to when it comes to my very precious workout hours.
So, because of that, I’ve been doing my thing and wondering, “Who should I try next?”
{Mind you, while I was wondering, Ms. G has been kicking severe tail – I can’t even begin to think about the hours of classes I’ve missed – ARGH!}
Anyway, my dear friend Susie FINALLY got through to me. Susie is a
MAC girl and she is also REEEEEAAAAALLLLLY particular about her instructors. {And btw, I’ll be featuring Susie in a future post – stay tuned!}
Gerry can be found in Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, and Minneapolis. I decided to hit “the MAC” downtown first.
Yes suburbanistas, I said downtown.
I live in the suburbs, and I hear you. It might seem like a lot to commit to drive DOWNTOWN, park, etc. Here’s the thing…IT’S SATURDAY MORNING! There isn’t any traffic and parking (validated by LifeTime @ $2) is a breeze. So, get over that excuse right now because it’s just silly.
The MAC is such a cool location for a gym – there are lots of levels and, if it’s your first time there, you WILL have to ask the friendly LifeTime Fitness employees where the heck you are going. But no worries, those people in the black shirts get paid to do just that and trust me, they are (mostly) happy to help
I have taken two of Gerry’s Saturday morning classes at “the MAC”. I ventured out one freezing cold February morning for her 2-hour spin class, and, just last week, I did the “triple bypass” (2.5 hours of weights, cardio and spin). Oh lord, let me tell you, after BOTH classes, I felt completely spent yet totally exhilirated all at the same time. I think I’m still high from all of the endorphins.
I have also taken her spin class at Eden Prairie Athletic Club as well as her Wednesday morning class at Minnetonka Athletic Club. Both of these are HARD (of course), ATHLETIC (duh), and PUSH YOU beyond where you imagine you can go. That my friends, is called getting out of your comfort zone.
Here is the thing about Gerry. She is a total rockstar and super sweet. You will adore her the minute you meet her. (Did I mention she’s in CRAZY good shape?) BUUUUT, don’t get too excited because she is about to inflict a serious amount of pain and make you REALLY uncomfortable. Doesn’t that sound like fun? HA! OK, for me, I don’t want it any other way. I can dance in my kitchen and burn a few hundred calories, no problem. And yes, that is fun and a sign that I like to move and be active. However, if you want more than your average “dancing-in-the-kitchen” group fitness class, you need to get your booty to one of Gerry’s killer workouts ASAP. Serioulsy run, don’t walk. Get there!
If you want to change your life and change your body, Gerry is one of my best picks for how to make that happen.
Case in point: I have been doing “halfsy” (from the knee) push-ups for a really long time. I’m not really sure why, probably because it’s a good resting position
That doesn’t fly in Gerry’s class. No way, no how – but I am oh-so-thankful for that. Gerry is helping me to do the REAL DEAL, full on, grown-up PUSH-UPS. She helps me get through them and is there to catch me if I can’t push back up. That is the serious dedication which has helped to elevate my expectation of myself. That’s the real gift that you get from her. She believes in you and KNOWS that YOU CAN DO
MORE.
If you look around her classes, the people in there don’t look like people in your average group fitness class. They are ATHLETES, the real deal. They are there to prove to themselves what they are made of. They push, go, believe, sweat, start and finish…strong.
I want that.
I really do.
So, slowly but surely, I’m going, getting there, trying. I suck wind in the first 5 seconds and feel like I can’t do another minute. I let Gerry help me, check my ego at the door, and go for it. I struggle and I want to cry because it really is just so hard. But I don’t cry. I keep going, I tell myself I can, and I listen to Gerry tell me how strong I am. I start to belive her. It’s crazy and it’s intense, but it’s AWESOME.
Lets be clear that this isn’t about a quest to be a certain size or weight. Ya’all know I smashed my scale. I honestly could care less about how much I weigh.
What I DO care about is how much I CAN DO. I want to be able to do full-on push-ups. I want to build core strength to protect my back. I want to see how much weight I can use for a bicep curl. I want my legs to feel like jello and futher challenge the idea of what kind of leg designers need to fit. I want to be a good role model for Ella, to show her what a truly strong mama can do.
The cool thing is, I know Gerry wants this for me too. She is right by my side helping to make it happen. I have to show-up. I have to do the work. She is there to guide and inspire. Together, it is a beautiful thing. I can’t wait to see how this story is gonna end.
In the mean time, I challenge you to try her class if you haven’t. Don’t be scared, don’t hesitate, don’t doubt what you can do. Just go. Rock out. Let her do what she does best. In the end, you’ll feel a little more bad-a$$ in your everyday life. Can’t go wrong with that my friends.
Peace, love and push-ups ya’all.
xox
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. Most importantly, ZUMBA has the potential to leave you feeling like you just experienced a rockin Latin dance party. Let yourself go and enjoy it – if you are not able to let go, you absolutely will not enjoy ZUMBA.
