It’s Monday gang, which means it is time to start moving! Move it Monday is a way to get a fresh and active start to our week so let’s get started!
I am back to teaching my favorite indoor cycling (or Spinning) classes and forgotten just how much I missed them! If you have not tried this workout yet, you simply MUST. You will get the most bang for your buck and leave class absolutely drenched in sweat. What better way to start your Monday?
If you have been on the fence about whether or not you want to take a cycling class at your gym, let me lay some of your fears to rest.
- You will not die! Yes, I’ve had people tell me that a lot. The reality of this class is that you control the intensity. Each bike has it’s own resistance knob and no one (but you!) will know if you really are turning it or not. It’s your ride, not mine, so an instructor should never come around and turn it for you. (because again, we have no idea how much resistance you already have on there)
- It will not make your thighs big! No, it won’t! This is cardio people, not strength training. Look at Lance Armstrong, does he have big thighs??
- You won’t be able to make it through class. Ok, maybe you won’t, but who cares? I won’t lie to you, the class is tough, but you will see results quickly. If you cannot make it through your first class, chances are you will be able to do so by class #2 or #3. Do not give up, everyone has to start somewhere!
Side note: as an instructor, I absolutely love new participants. They are excited to be there and really appreciate everything I tell them. I am always bummed when I don’t see them anymore. Sometimes I wish I could call them and ask what has happened and see if I can help in anyway. So if you have dropped out of a gym and think that no one misses you, well….you are wrong. I miss you!
- People will laugh at me! No, they won’t! Trust me, most people in class are so busy sucking their own wind that they don’t have time to notice you! I tell people to put their blinders on and focus on their own road. It’s all about YOU for that hour—enjoy it!
The one thing that I can promise you is that the sorest part of your body is going to be your butt. The seat is not forgiving and even with the best of padding, it still hurts! The upside is that after a couple of classes you will not even notice anymore.
Still fearful? If so, drop me an email and let me know why.
So for Move it Monday I will be doing 50 minutes of cardio in my crack of dawn cycling class.
How about you?
What activity are you starting your Monday with and is it at the crack of dawn like mine?
No excuses gang, get moving and enjoy your energy!
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Many thanks to 5 Minutes for Mom for mentioning my contest in their weekly column “5 Minutes Around the Blogosphere”. 5 Minutes for Mom is run by twin work-at-home moms who also run two toy stores: A Rocking Horse to Love and Pedal Cars and Retro Collectibles. Please go and check them out!
{ 9 comments }
I love my spin instructors!!
I discovered you by way of 5 Min for Mom. I WISH I had time to spin. I did it for a year at the local YMCA on my lunch break from work and LOVED it (except for the soreness those first few weeks!) But now I’m at a new (full-time) job and am unable to. Looking forward to the spring weather in New England. My New Years resolution is to run at least 2 half-marathons in 2008!
Did a three mile power walk with babies today…and it’s cold outside!
Ah Lisa!! I can’t get my heart rate up in Spin!! How weird is that? Please tell me what I’m doing wrong? I up the resistance until my quads are burning (it def. is an awesome leg workout) but my heart-rate monitor stays low, low, low. When we sprint, it perks up some but by the time we are done the sorest part on me is my butt – from the seat. I want to make this class work for me! Help!! (I think it may have to do with the way I’m hunched over the bike?)
PS> “nap warden” – how much do I love that name??? LOL!
I LOVE Spinning!!! But I haven’t been able to do it in a while because the class schedule at my gym just doesn’t work for me (and, yes, it’s all about me,lol!). I used to go to a class before we moved with a GREAT instructor, and I wish we could have brought him with us. In his book, we were all rock stars, superstars and mega-stars.
BTW, I highly recommend the padded gel seat AND padded shorts together. It’ll still hurt, but not quite as much.
I have always been so scared of cycling. I’m always afraid that an instructor will point me out and say, Hey you. Why aren’t you pedaling? You wussy or something?
Then every one would look at me and laugh.
Jenna, Don’t be afraid! I promise that no one will single you out and laugh at you!
Does your gym have a beginner level class you can try out? This would give you a “feel” for the intensity level and help you build your confidence.
You really can guide your own ride though, if class gets too tough just don’t turn that knob at all. (I tell people that they can pretend to do it if they are worried about people thinking they are not working). We cannot tell if you actually turn it or not.
Give it a try, I have yet to find someone who doesn’t like it. Once you do, please let me know how it goes!
I really want to work spinning into my workout as a cross training exercise for my off-running days. I jumped on a bike at the gym last week and couldn’t believe it! SO much harder than I thought it was going to be. Having said that, my excuse is a combo of people will laugh at me and that I wont be able to finish!
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