Assigned Seating

Have you ever been to a formal, sit down affair with assigned seating such as a wedding?  If you have, then you know there are only a limited number of seats that you can choose from, once you arrive at your table.  Alternatively, the option of open seating presents the dilemma of choosing from all that available seating.  What is interesting, however, is how people tend to gravitate to the same seats, even when there is an opportunity to make a change.  Well, when I go to morning spin class, one would think that we had assigned seating for those stationary bikes.  On second thought, maybe we do, and permit me to explain.

I have been attending a spinning class at the local fitness club for a year now, and it has been my observation that the attendees typically gravitate to the same bike at the start of each class.  Whether this is due to being creatures of habit or because particular bikes may be more finely tuned, it remains a puzzle to me.  Regardless, when the instructor appears on the scene and opens the door, there always seems to be a mad dash for that favorite bike.  But after everyone settles in and the music starts, the real challenge begins.  Forty five minutes later, after a series of sprints and hill climbs, you feel like you had joined the peleton, earned some sweat equity, yet are relieved to be finished.

When it comes to spinning class, it has been my observation that it appears to be an open seating arrangement, but I can assure you that it's "ass-hind" seating only!