If It’s Not Fun, I’m Not Doing It

What a Magic Mike ride taught me about exercise and midlife standards

My husband knew I was taking a class on my Peloton. He just couldn’t figure out why I was laughing so hard.

“It was a Magic Mike–themed class. They had male dancers in the studio!” I said, still out of breath from the workout — and from laughing.

My husband was less interested in the details, but I immediately texted my friends screenshots: gorgeous, shirtless men hanging off the bikes in the studio like they were the folding chairs in the show, handing out roses to the riders. For the record, these were screenshots of the class recording, taken from my Peloton in my basement.

When I saw the teaser the week before, I knew I had to take it.

Because it would be fun.

And at this stage of my life, that’s a requirement for me to exercise. It has to be fun. Bonus points if I laugh my ass off.

I’ve never hated exercise. I just hated the rule that it only “counts” if it’s cardio. I have plenty of friends who love to run and do what I consider mildly unhinged things like marathons. I’ll cheer you on from the sidelines, but there is absolutely no universe in which I’m signing up for that. Running, for me, is boring, painful, and — if we’re being honest — still requires a caliber of sports bra I have yet to find.

It turns out the problem wasn’t exercise. It was boredom. I’ve known for a long time that I move best to music.

Years ago, I fell in love with barre. It’s not easy — there’s plenty of shaking and swearing under your breath — but it’s done to the beat of the music. And for me, that makes all the difference. If I can move to a playlist I love, I’ll show up.

I loved it so much that I eventually started teaching at a tiny yoga studio. And if I’m being honest, a big reason was that I wanted full control of the playlist. There was no glamorous headset situation — just me, a portable speaker, and the deeply important responsibility of timing a Beyoncé chorus exactly right. The music wasn’t just there for ambiance. It was the bribe. And I’m not above bribing myself.

Life shifted the way it does — babies, schedule changes, a global pandemic — and my workouts moved home. I never made it back to the studio in the same way. But I realized it wasn’t about the studio. It was about whether I’d show up.

Now I take classes in my family room. Barre, strength, and the occasional yoga flow. I still choose based on the music. “80s ride.” “Pop punk strength.” “Taylor Swift anything.” If the playlist pulls me in, I’m there. Even when a class is hard, even when my legs are on fire, the music carries me through.

I’m not moving because I should. I’m moving because I actually want to.

About a year ago, I finally bought a Peloton. Yes, I was years behind the curve. I was perfectly content with my barre, yoga, and strength routine — and if I’m honest, a little anti-cardio. But the truth is, I hadn’t found a version of it that felt fun yet.

I’d done spin classes in my twenties (read: the months before my wedding when I was determined to zip my dress without assistance). So I knew I was capable. The real question was whether I’d actually enjoy it now.

The answer was hell yes. Those classes are a blast.

I don’t laugh out loud every time like I did during the Magic Mike ride, but I’m almost always smiling through the sweat. I still choose classes based on the music, but I’ve also found myself gravitating toward certain instructors.

Cody Rigsby is reliably chaotic in the best way. I love Bradley Rose’s cheeky snark and British accent. Ali Love and Hannah Corbin — the original barre instructors — bring that same sparkle to the bike. And if we’re being honest, I’ll sprinkle in an Alex Toussaint ride every once in a while for the hip-hop playlists and being called “Baby” mid-climb.

We all have our motivation.

I know this much: if I’m going to move my body, it has to be something I’ll actually look forward to. So I build around that. Barre. Strength. Rides that make me smile. Classes with playlists I love. That’s what works for me.

I’m not interested in earning my body. I’m not interested in punishing it. I want to feel strong. I want to sweat. I want to laugh in my basement at a Magic Mike ride and still get a great workout in.

At this stage of my life, fun isn’t a bonus. It’s the requirement.