The instructor came in right on time, tall and blonde and with a name to match. Chantal. "If at any point it gets too heavy for you," she said," just put the weights down." Yeah, right. What followed was the most excruciating hour I have experienced in my life. Those cute little weights seemed to get heavier and heavier until I had no choice but to put them down. I should have set up my mat at the back of the class, all the women were doing just fine - even the one who'd left her walking frame at the door.
"So how was that?" they asked me afterwards? I was the new guy so I must have something to say. They were kind enough to wait until I'd recovered somewhat. I'm going back tomorrow.