5 Types Of Cycling You Should Try If You're Hoping To Win The Next Tour De France | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

5 Types Of Cycling You Should Try If You're Hoping To Win The Next Tour De France

For whatever kind of workout you're looking for.

Emily Sharp
Jan 20, 2018
Emory University
68
5 Types Of Cycling You Should Try If You're Hoping To Win The Next Tour De France
YouTube

For most of my life, I’ve hated exercising. When I played ice hockey, I always had to know where the clock was so that I could see how many minutes were left before I could get off the ice; when I played softball, I got yelled at for never stealing bases but I didn’t want to sprint any more than I had to.

As much as I love field hockey and team sports, you don’t stay in shape in or out of season without working out on your own. During my first semester of college, I took a spin class at my school’s gym for fun. I was shocked to find that I loved cycling! After so much time wasted, forcing myself to run on the treadmill or elliptical, I finally found a full body workout that I actually wanted to go to.

Over the past year and a half, I have tried out so many different places and have concluded there are 5 distinct types of cycling studios. If you are looking for a new exercise regime, give spin a try! Here are the five types of studios out there, for whatever kind of workout you're looking for.

1. If you're looking for outdoor cycling...


...this is a joke, right? Me? Outdoors?

2. If you’re looking for a make your own workout…


...spin wherever your mom does. There are a few spin studios in and around my town, and one is my mom’s favorite because the instructors always tell her class to ride at whatever speed they want with however much resistance they want.

While this style of spin sounds ideal, it makes it harder to motivate yourself during the ride and get a true cycling workout. That brings me to the polar opposite type of spin studio.

3. If you're looking for a full body tone...

...be prepared to get yelled at!! I went to a toning spin studio to get back in shape after a semester of not working out. I sat in the back row with the intention to ride slowly in anonymity but was instead publically shamed when my instruction got off his bike repeatedly to stand in front of me and coach me on.

The instructors at these kinds of studios are intense for a reason: they function not only as class guides but as personal trainers as well. These classes, while remarkably challenging and forcibly engaging, provide some of the fastest and most significant results.

4. If you're looking for a classic spin workout...


...or, more aptly, The Cult Cycling Studio Workout, or even more aptly, Soul Cycle/Flywheel/Joy Ride. This type of spin is more of an endurance ride, measuring songs by RPM and speed rather than by which movements you do/ which muscles you work.

I know from experience that Flywheel bikes track how many calories you burn per class. And I know, also from experience, that even in a class where you ride at half the speed the instructor says because you're recovering from a terrifying weekend out with friends, that you burn an average of 500 calories of class (imagine how much you can burn with effort???).

5. If you're looking for a fun ride (awww)...


...look no further than your school's gym! Every school's gym has a wealth of options for students to find sports and workout opportunities. It's so much fun to spin with friends, and so low maintenance to just walk over to the gym instead of traveling to a studio elsewhere.

Whatever your style, cycling is a fantastic workout that is versatile enough so many to enjoy!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

7 Experiences All Girls With Resting Bitch Face Have Had

The struggles of having an RBF are all too real

University of South Florida
991
girl
Pexels

In case you're unaware, "resting bitch face" is the term used to describe when a person's natural, expressionless face makes it look like they are mad at the world. Whether they are walking down the street or simply spacing out thinking about what to eat for dinner, it's very easy for others to assume that this person is either upset or mad at them. Because of this, those of us with Resting Bitch Face (RBF), and especially us women, have all experienced many of the same situations and conversations, including:

Keep Reading...Show less
rbf
Entertainment

The Stages Of A Crush As Told By The Cast of "Bob's Burgers"

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

Dean College
232
my heart just pooped its pants
Google

We've all had a crush before. Whether it leads to something or nothing, the process has all been the same. The awkward feelings, the stalking, and the stress of trying to keep this huge secret. The feeling of becoming a total spazz is something that cannot be avoided, and the most spazzy family that can relate to this feeling is the Belcher's.

Keep Reading...Show less
bobs burgers
Adulting

Adulting 101: In Sickness And In Self

Everybody hurts sometimes.

Georgia State University
194
you didnt come this far to only come this far lighted text
Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash

At the tender age of 18, we are bestowed with the title of “adult.” For 17 years, we live under the rules and guidelines of our parents, school, and government, and to stray from any of those rules or guidelines marks us as a rebel. At 18, though, we must choose which college we want to go to or what career we want. We are allowed and encouraged to vote. We can buy lottery tickets and cigarettes. We can drop out of school, leave our household, and do other "adult" things. At 18, we start down a path of thinking for ourselves, when for the entirety of our lives other institutions have been mandated to think and do for us.

Keep Reading...Show less
adulting
Student Life

25 Thoughts Everyone Has When Registering For Classes

May the odds be ever in your favor.

University of Nebraska Omaha
980
university
University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less
class registration
Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

University of Kentucky
1444
college shirt
pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less
senior year

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments