You spin me right round baby...

Thursday, August 13, 2009

On Tuesday I went to my first ever indoor cycling class!!

Align Center[source]

My beautiful friend Jess took me and I have to say that it was so amazing to have her support and love and guidance there with me in the class! She took the time to set up my bike, showed me correct indoor cycling posture and was there beside me every step of the way!

I have been very hesitant to try indoor cycling. It always looked so scary and intense and I think that I still don't see myself as the active person I have become in recent months. In my mind I was thinking about doing this class as the person who struggled with activity and in my head I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to do it! Jess reassured me and said "Ash, you just finished 8 weeks of Boot Camp. You'll be fine."

If you've never been to an indoor cycling class, basically what happens is that the instructor takes you through a series of drills at varying levels of intensity and resistance. You are in control of how fast you are pedalling and there is a dial on the bike that controls the resistance. The instructor tells you how fast to go, when to add resistance, when to stand up (or "climb") and pushes you along the way to work to your full potential. The whole class is set to music and each track has a different focus or objective.

I'm still not sure what to make of it.

Was it a good work out? Yes but I don't know if the class resonates with me. The instructor kept referring to us as a gang or team, like we were all in it together. While I guess we were (since we were all going at it together), I think I'm a bit more of an independent exerciser (even though I really like classes) and the whole camaraderie thing didn't do it for me. Will I try it again? Sure! I went through my ups and downs of enjoying it and hating it throughout the class so I think I would be best to give it a couple more tries. I also think I would like to try out a couple of different instructors to see if someone else was a better fit for me. It was a good work out for sure! I did push myself in the class and was sweating quite a bit. The stairs were a wee bit a challenge afterward and I could definitely feel it in my legs and bottom the next day.

I want to say a big thank you to Jess for pushing me to try something new and providing me with a ton of support and guidance. It made me so comfortable to have here there next to me! I'm so excited that she is moving to Toronto in just two weeks! It means that we'll be able to start doing more classes together and that makes me really happy. I'm also really excited for Jess to start teaching her own indoor cycling classes because I think it would be very motivating to have her up there leading me! Also - be sure to check out Jess' latest video as she is giving away 2 4 week packages to Booty Camp! Such an amazing opportunity for you to check out Booty Camp for free!!

Have you ever been to an indoor cycling class? Love it or hate it?

10 comments:

Becki said...

im SO happy that you tried!
i heard all about it tonight, and i also heard that you ROCKED it and did amazing!

i dont like it at all. i think i'm more like you in that way, that i am more of an independant exerciser and like to be able to move around.

ah, did i tell you i won 4 weeks for booty camp too? AH! i'm scared haha

<3

Emma said...

Aww I heard Jess telling us you had done this! Good for you!!
You should totally go when she teahces her classes. I would if i could
xx

Diane, Fit to the Finish said...

I've never done a cycling class. I like to bike outside. But I know lots of women who just love the intensity of it!

K-Pow said...

I spin 3 x a week and love it!

I would definitely recommend you trying another few classes & instructors...that could make a HUGE difference.

I know shape wise & weight wise spinning was one thing that really toned up my hips, butt & thighs!

Kari@Onederland said...

OH sweet. Way to go, and I think I agree that you should try it a few more times before you decide if you like it or not. A different instructor in a class can make all the difference too.
I haven't tried a spin class, it's something I've always wanted to try, but been scared outta my mind. I actually just posted about it last night. The hubby has agreed to try it we me. Yup two newbies together :O)

K8 said...

When I first started at GoodLife, I tried it. And did 4 or 5 classes. I enjoyed it... but then I fell in love with BodyPump. And they changed the times for the cycling at our club and they aren't at times I like.

But if you wanna try it again maybe we can meet up! I know you are a busy busy girl but hopefully we can do ANY sort of class together soon!

Heidi said...

I've never tried indoor cycling. Even though I'm pretty active, that class seems to intimidate me.

I don't think I would like to be referred to as part of a 'team' or 'gang' (who says that??) in that type of setting. I'm betting you'd have a different outlook with a different instructor.

Jess said...

Um, I love you! I'm SO glad you tried the class and I can't wait to teach and have you there!
We'll go to loads of classes together! I'm so excited and so proud of you <3 you=amazing

Nachos said...

Well done! Indoor cycling classes, spinnig classes etc have always freaked the heck outta me! Like you, have always thought I wasn't up to it so have never tried...

Unknown said...

Good for you Ash! Yes...the spin culture is an interesting group of driven people. I did it for awhile but I think the intensity of the classes were a little too much for me. Amazing workout though...

Thanks for your post on my blog as well. I've been catching up on your posts to help me out of this brutal summer slump of mine. I'll see you on Saturday:)

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