I have a question for you. When you think of spin classes or indoor cycling classes, what do you automatically think of? Maybe Ariana Grande’s “Side to Side” music video or the scene in Amy Schumer’s I Feel Pretty movie where she tragically falls off the bike. There are so many misconceptions about spin classes, at least in the eyes of younger generations. This includes some of my friends. When I first told some people about it, their first reaction was, “Oh, you just sit on the bike and pedal anyone can do that.” Some reactions were more similar to “Isn’t that for old women trying to get in shape?”, and some were just confused about what an indoor cycling class was. Fortunately, I’m here to tell you exactly what it is and how it benefited me.
I am not a fan of any type of cardio whatsoever or at least I thought that. I decided halfway through high school that I wanted to be more active, try new things, and even lose some weight. Yet, I never found any type of workout before then that I genuinely enjoyed. A friend of mine told me about a new indoor cycling establishment opening up a few towns over from where I live. I was open to take the first class for free and see how I liked it. Initially, I didn’t really think it would be challenging. All you do is sit on the bike and pedal, change speeds, and that’s it, right?
One class later, I realized just how wrong I was. Coming from a place where I didn’t work out often, I can say proudly that I could barely walk after my first class. In the beginning, I felt weak. However, as challenging as it was, I found myself wanting more.
These classes give the most incredible adrenaline rushes. The music in the room is blasting, – and if that isn’t for you, earplugs are the way to go – the lights in the room are dim and change colors, the community around you pushes you to move forward and the instructors inspire and push you to want to do better. For me, the best part of these classes is the music. You go to the beat of the music, you feel the bass pulsing through your entire body, and when a song comes on that you know the lyrics to, you don’t even remember that you’re working out.
When the class is over, the feeling of accomplishment and motivation takes over my entire body. Even if you didn’t feel like going to class that day. The ambiance of getting off the bike and knowing that you pushed yourself to actually get there is one of the most rewarding feelings that one could sense.
As we all know, working out impacts your mental health, physical health, and even your emotional health in all positive ways. I knew for myself that I wanted to change my lifestyle and my habits. After the first couple of classes, I became addicted. I went almost every day, sometimes at 5:30 in the morning and sometimes 8:00 at night. It was something that I needed to feel sane throughout my week. I became so obsessed with it that I even started working there. Everything about the business, my coworkers, and the customers that I saw every day made me never want to leave. It became a place where I felt the most at ease, and I recommend to almost anyone I know – and whoever is reading this – tries taking a class. And hey, if it isn’t for you, it isn’t for you. But it can’t hurt to try.