In an era where fitness often comes with a hefty price tag, from expensive gym memberships to pricey workout classes and the constant pressure to buy the latest gear, the idea of free exercise can seem almost revolutionary. Many believe that achieving fitness requires significant financial investment, leading to discouragement and inaction. To challenge this costly misconception, I embarked on a two-week experiment using the “Rasputin” dance on “Just Dance” via YouTube – a completely free and accessible guided exercise. This is a daily log of my experience, proving that effective workouts don’t have to break the bank.
Day 1: After my first dance session, I was noticeably out of breath and tired. My movements were uncoordinated, and I was still unfamiliar with the choreography. By the end, my knees felt slightly sore, indicating muscles were being engaged.
Day 2: Similar to day one, but I was starting to grasp the dance sequence better and felt more prepared mentally. Surprisingly, my knees weren’t sore afterward, though they did crack audibly during some of the more energetic steps.
Day 3: The “Rasputin” dance felt considerably easier today. While I was still slightly winded by the end, it was far from challenging. My stamina seemed to be improving already.
Day 4: Today marked a turning point. I felt in sync with the dance, anticipating moves before they appeared on screen. I finished the session feeling energized rather than exhausted – a clear sign of progress.
Day 5: By this point, the “Rasputin” dance was becoming ingrained in my muscle memory. It barely winded me at all anymore, and the overall intensity felt significantly reduced. The workout was transitioning from challenging to comfortably routine.
Day 6: After a 14-hour drive to the mountains of Montana, the “Rasputin” dance served as an excellent way to stretch and get some light exercise after prolonged sitting. It was a welcome break and helped to alleviate stiffness.
Day 7: One week into the “Dancing Rasputin” challenge, it felt quite simple. My breath was only slightly shortened by the end. However, the higher elevation in the mountains and the thinner air made the dance feel more strenuous again, though my familiarity with the steps made it manageable.
Day 8: The dance remained simple, causing only mild breathlessness. However, my legs were sore from a day of skiing, so the repeated Russian dance moves did put some strain on my already tired leg muscles.
Day 9: Today’s session was easier than yesterday’s. Despite lingering leg soreness, I was adjusting to the altitude, and the dance didn’t leave me as breathless as it had initially in the mountains.
Day 10: The “Rasputin” dance felt effortless today. My legs were no longer sore, and I didn’t struggle to breathe at all. It barely registered as exercise anymore, highlighting how much my body had adapted.
Day 11: Dancing in the morning seemed to make the routine feel more difficult. My knees cracked more noticeably, and I was more out of breath afterward compared to evening sessions, suggesting time of day can influence workout perception.
Day 12: I could almost perform the “Rasputin” dance without watching the screen, having fully internalized the movements. It required minimal effort and felt almost automatic, demonstrating complete mastery of the routine.
Day 13: Following a 14-hour drive back home, the “Rasputin” dance was a perfect way to release pent-up energy from being sedentary in the car. The dance felt exceptionally easy, likely due to the return to lower elevation and easier breathing.
Day 14: I have now completely memorized the entire “Rasputin” dance. Performing it is no longer strenuous; in fact, it’s quite the opposite – extremely easy. This daily exercise experiment proved to be simple, enjoyable, and a productive use of time. It was entirely free yet provided a guided, light workout, effectively demonstrating that staying fit doesn’t necessitate expensive solutions. Affordable fitness is not only possible but can be easily integrated into daily life with fun and engaging activities like “dancing Rasputin.”
