"Wanna go to this event with me," I texted my sister on Monday night. I got to bring a plus one to the VIP/Media night at the Tradesman's in Center City, Philadelphia. If she said "yes" or "no" I was going to go and eat some BBQ. She responded "I am there."

We called our car the night of and we were off. The whole atmosphere of this bar, restaurant, maybe dance club in the future(?) was awesome. The indsutrial piping lead to a unique experience. The images that were painted on the walls nicely complimented the other decor. It was the standard "look at this cool" feel. To be honest, I was here for it! I loved the lights, I loved the tables, and the whole feeling. The shirts that the staff wore were nicely and cleaned designed. However, their shirts had a pun on the back which I felt like it didn't really fit with everything else.

I got my standard whiskey and coke. The bartender filled us in one everything. I asked what this drink was that I saw people holding. He told me it was a rum punch with a dry rub on the rim. He asked if I wanted one and it would be rude to say no. It was ok drinking it through a straw. When I took the glass to my mouth to taste the rub, it changed my experience. I could drink that on the regular. It was perfection.

The food finally came out, and we set to divide and conquer. When I go to events, I leave my pride at the door. I am going to eat. I took meat on my plate and my sister took everything else. The Mac And Cheese was on point. The tomatoes and mozzarella salad was clutch. The pulled pork fell onto my fork. The ribs though. The ribs with the dry rub from before was fantastic. It was dry, but salty that mixed with the rib that I didn't mind that I had it all over my face. I was enjoying every single bite. I am not one that likes my hands dirty, but I living for this moment. It was one of those meals that you eat and forget other people can see you. Oh the cornbread! It was fantastic. The thing that really stole my heart, and tummy were the potatoe skins with pork belly. I could eat that for a whole meal and not complain. It was the right balance of salt, smoke, and meat. The sauce on top tasted like a mayo that you would buy and then regret because you spent so much on mayo.

We spent a few hours there and then went into another car home. I was filled with booze, food, and good laughs. It was a good way to end a night. I was filled, but not uncomfortable. I am counting down the days until Thursday when it opens to the public.

I have been blessed in sweat and born anew by the lord savior Kesha’s high note in her song Praying while the young female priest in her sports bra and fashion tights gave a sermon of letting go of my stress the past week.

This isn’t a new church on South Street, but a new spin studio. Let me first say I have done spin classes before. I have drank the kool-aid a long time ago and just continued to go to my local gym’s classes. When someone informed me about free classes at the new Revel-Ride, I was game. I am 27 years old and I am trying new things as much as possible. I have never been to a Soul Cycle, or a FlyWheel. The fear of being annoyed was always in my head. I am not one that likes the “YOU CAN DO IT” attitude. I am usually the person in the back that has the resting face of “don’t talk to me so I can get this over with an eat ice cream in bed.”

I like working out. I do. Honest. Some classes and gyms just don’t work for me. Anyways, I walked up to South Street with a water bottle in hand. Obviously I arrived too early so I walked around the block. When I was done killing time I figured 15 minutes early wasn’t terrible. I stepped into a small waiting room full of Lululemon clothes, muscles, and Swell water bottles. “What did I get myself into,” I thought to myself. The woman at the counter was extremely nice and helped me check into my bike and showed me around. “Lockers are downstairs if you need them and here are your shoes,” she stated. 1. Didn’t know we needed special shoes. 2. I didn’t bring a lock.

I stepped down to a crisp, white non-gender specific lockerroom/getting ready area. The lockers had this system where you could make a code for the night. I was in awe. I could spend my time down there and just make up different codes and be happy.

Alas, I had to put on my magnetic shoes and hop on a bike. The small room with a huge mirror was scary. I found bike 21 right between two women who looked like pros and behind a guy and woman who look like all they eat is avocado toast.

“I need help. Is this right,” I asked a worker who was setting up the bikes for people. “Yup, you’re good to go! High Five for a good ride,” this man in a tank top said to me as he looked dead in my eyes. I thought, “ Oh, you aren’t leaving till I do a high five.” I did.

The class started. I was tired after the warm up and thought “THAT WAS JUST THE WARM UP?” We continued on though. The instructor with her headset kept everyone motivated. At one point she said to close our eyes, and I thought “Yeah, right.” The catching the rhythm was so hard for someone who can’t even clap on beat, but I kept going! The sweat was dripping from my head, arms, back, chest, and everywhere else. Luckily Revel-Ride provided towels. Next the instructor said, “Alright pick up the weights behind you.” I had one thought “WEIGHTS?!?!?” What is happening? I thought this was spin and there are weights involved? I was game no matter what. I could feel my body working harder than any other class I have taken. I kept going and going. Suddenly I could feel myself wanting to impress the instructor. Why? I don’t know her, but OMG what if she compliments me? My competitive nature started to take over as well. Not to compete with others, but myself (lame I know). I kept going and going and ging. Finally, Kesha’s song played and it was the cool down. When we all stretched and got ready to go the instructor asked if she could meet everyone. There was this individualized attention we all wanted and she was granting it to us. I was so honored. I wanted to take selfies, and boomerangs right away. I got my stuff and headed outside.

On my walk home, I pulled up the app, and signed up for a class for each day for the remaining time of my week. I am thinking how I can budget for more classes. Each class starting at $25 is a price to pay. I can’t believe I joined this fitness cult. My body felt like it worked out, but wasn’t dead. I felt powerful, and I could go again. Revel-Ride is a real deal. If you can get past being that person that is paying more for a gym membership, and want to just work out, Do it! But also please don’t pick the bike next to mine because I will feel extreme self-conscious.

Tradesman's

The Spin Church

Revel-Ride.com