So recently, I threw out a harmless, marketing email that got the spinning community out of their saddles, off their bike seats and up in arms. Angry responses came flying in across the internet and the Back Bay Boxing inbox almost exploded!
(Actually it was only one person but let's just pretend it was more).
Her position was strong. Her response was well thought out. She was angry and adamant that my email WASN'T funny!
Below is the exchange I had with her and it's definitely blog-worthy. To protect her identity let's call her Karen.
Angry email from Karen:
As someone who both boxes and "rides a stationary bike" regularly, this email is ignorant, offensive, and out of touch. These thoughtless words alienate anyone who incorporates cycling into their fitness routines; probably large majority of your demographic. As a boxing gym that uses CPass to fill spots, doesn't this approach seem like a bad idea?!
Unfortunately, I already no longer attend Back Bay Boxing due to a work location change, so I am deprived of the sweet satisfaction of pulling my business from you. I've witnessed Barry's instructors, Boxing instructors, and football players not be able to hold a double time 128 bpm sprint. But I am not here to lecture you on the strength and endurance it takes to complete a spin class. Everyone is on a different fitness journey and many of us use it as a outlet for our all around well-being.
Congratulations on belittling an entire facet of your own industry.
With a sharp 6, 1, and a strong 2,
"A Stationary Bike Rider"
Response from Coach Johnny:
Thanks for your great email and thank you for your insightful and thoughtful response. All my other responses were soooo lame!
They were just a bunch of 'haha', 'lol', 'this is great!', 'thanks for the laugh, I needed that today but I do love my bike too!'. Or 'OMG it's so true! My grandmother did have a stationary bike! She used to call it Ron. Haha! She'd always say she was going to 'get up on Ron today' or how she 'needed to spend more time on Ron'. I was just a kid but it's funny now!' Or 'Ahahaha this is brilliant, can't wait to come to class soon!' Or 'Hi Coach Johnny, I hope you're doing well. Good to see you haven't lost your humor during the Pandemic! I hope all is well with you and the gym' and then an alarming 'What is a stationary bike?''
So, to get your email was so much more fun to read.
To be honest, I've zero interest in what Barry the instructor does whoever he is or in what football players do. I've never met a football player who could actually move his/her body. Those guys just run in straight lines! Most of them are too muscular to move their bodies so they just pound on heavy bags in a pointless fashion. It does look tough though which is super cool!