A WORD TO THE WISE:

Let Her Entertain You: Tricia Murphy's striptease aerobics are a healthy bump and grind. (Heather Logue, 4/06/05, Seattle Weekly)

"Swivel those hips!" may be the new anthem for fitness-minded women, or at least the rhythmically advanced ones frequenting Urban Fitness in West Seattle (4700 California Ave. S.W., 206-938-4119). Co-owned by the founder of Urban Striptease Aerobics, Tricia Murphy, Urban Fitness has become a mecca for women looking for aerobics with some extra benefits.

Intrigued by any workout that encourages the removal of clothes, I decide to try this stripping phenomenon for myself. Clad in baggy sweats and towing a close friend to share the possible humiliation, I step inside the classroom and am immediately sucked into a crowd of milling women. (Oh, sweet Jesus—I'm supposed to gyrate in front of these strangers?) My friend and I try to comfort each other with tidbits remembered from preadolescent ballet/jazz classes, then grab spots in the back corner of the room. Looking around, we notice a variety of body types, but the majority seem to be athletic, in their mid-20s, and, frankly, reminiscent of sorority sisters. I'm relieved when an older woman sidles in beside me, my terror mirrored in her similar expression.

Instructor Murphy then takes front and center. After welcoming everyone back to their sixth and final class, she begins the routine they've been working on for weeks. My friend and I are screwed: Joining the others in pelvic thrusts and chest gyrations as best we can, it's soon evident that one should not start a class in the sixth week of a six-week program. I attempt to emulate the movements, horrified that my rhythmically challenged body must stick out like a sore thumb.

There's some sexy strutting, bending, kicking, thrusting—you name it. Then, somewhere amidst my friend and I bumping into each other, tripping on shoelaces, and laughing uncontrollably (much to the dismay of the other students, who had apparently evolved beyond such immaturity), I realize: I'm having a damn good time. When was the last time I actually enjoyed working out?

WARNING: If The Wife says she wants to lose five pounds for Spring and you think it would be a thoughtful gesture to bring home the strippaerobic tape for her, you're wrong.

Posted by Orrin Judd at April 6, 2005 5:56 PM