At the beginning of this summer, I decided I was going to try indoor cycling or "spinning," as it is more commonly referred, because 1) my mom really wanted me to try it and 2) I really did need to tone up and lose the Freshman 15. Let me continue by saying: spinning is no joke. These workouts take place on a stationary bicycle, which allows you to adjustyour resistance as you go. It is a cardiovascular, butt-kicking workout class that burns serious calories. Not only can you burn up to 900 calories in varying 30 - to - 75 minute classes, but I guarantee you will be jamming to the awesome music and loving the fun, dimly lit, disco atmosphere. So for those spin class newbie's, here are a few things that will inevitably happen at your first spin class. I promise you that when it's over, you will walk out of the door ready to conquer anything.
1. You walk into the room and choose a bike in the back row, as far away from the instructor as possible, because it is your first class.
2. You have a small panic attack when you see a woman walk in, decked out in her head-to-toe pro-cycling gear, while you're watching in your basic leggings and tank top.
3. After you look over at your neighbor's jug of water, you become worried that your small Tervis Tumbler might not cut it.
4. You struggle adjusting your bike and getting your cleats clipped into the pedals, praying that the pro-cycler chick isn't watching you.
5. Finally, you are moving and grooving with the beat of the song. You are pretty impressed with yourself.
6. When the instructor shouts, "Who's ready to sweat?" and everyone replies, "Yeah!" you just go with it and think maybe you should have stuck with power walking around your neighborhood.
7. You start feeling like you're about to faint and fall off your bike, only to catch a glimpse of the clock, out of the corner of your eye, and see that barely 10 minutes have passed.
8. Fast forward: it has now been about 25 minutes. You're halfway there, and the motivating instructor shouts, "Are you working hard or hardly working?!" So you quickly increase the speed and add a little resistance.
9. It is the final 10 minutes, which is supposedly the hardest. The instructor gets off her bike and yells, "Give it all you've got; this is it!"
10. The class is finally over; you made it. You now feel like you can conquer anything, except for the face that you will be walking at a speed of a turtle to get to your car.
Spin class is tough, without a doubt, but give it a try. Calorie-burning, sweat-inducing, heart-pumping, toning, and fun workout. Step into a class. I dare you. It's true that you're only one spin class away from a good mood.
