Hi guys! Hope all is well in your worlds. 🙂 I’ve been on a new kick lately. You guys know how much I love weight training and running, but lately I’ve found myself indoor cycling more so then ever. I have completely fallen in love with Flywheel Sports. I’ve tried a TON of cycling classes, but haven’t really found my jam. It wasn’t until I started Flywheel that I’ve been going to the studio on a weekly basis.
So how does Flywheel compare to the other studios out there?
The studio: It’s super clean, modern and has a great big class room. When you walk in you can head to an ipad where you check in, get your bike number then head to a cubby where they store your shoes. After your first ride, they make it easy to get started by putting your size shoe in the same cubby number of your bike. Its a super easy check in process which I love! Most studios have a large locker area where you can put your belongings then head to class. They also have a cute retail area with some of my favorite brands- hello K-DEER! I find that fitness classes for me are all about location and overall convenience. I love heading to the Market Street studio for a 5:30pm class, as its only a few blocks away from my office. If its convenient and close, I’m there more often then not!
The class: As I’ve mentioned, I have yet to find a cycling class that doesn’t bore me to pieces. Seriously though, I always find myself staring at the clock because lets face it, when you sit in one spot the whole class you can get a little impatient. Flywheel is SO different for me. The classes FLY by, and the instructors always keep us moving whether we are in different positions, moving torque or riding to the beat of the music. I also love that the class is dark so I can really get in the zone and not worry about the person next to me. They have a bunch of classes to choose from. Fly 45 is their signature ride. It’s 45-minute high-energy, motivating ride that incorporates interval training, races and rhythm riding, as well as an upper-body series. They also have Fly 60 and Fly 90 for longer rides. One of my favorite classes is FlyBeats where you ride to the beat of the music. The class size is pretty large, but I never find myself competing with my neighbor, almost everyone is in the zone trying to get the most of their ride.
The vibe: I’m a big fan of the non “preachy” attitude at Flywheel. The instructors really want you to have fun while getting the most of your workout. They dont try to coach you on life or feel empowered like other studios I’ve been to. They make their own playlists which are usually AWESOME, and make sure that all students are comfortable and working hard.
OUTFIT DETAILS: Flywheel Tank (c/o) / Sports Bra / Leggings / Bag / Shoes / Jacket
So….How do you get the most of your indoor cycling experience? Here are a few tips that I’ve found helpful.
- Arrive early and dont leave early. Stretching is so important, so give yourself that extra 5 mins to stretch at the end of class.
- Don’t compete with your neighbor, compete with yourself. I like setting a goal for myself and push myself to make it happen.
- Check your posture. Throughout your ride, check for any excess pressure on your wrists or in your hands and if necessary, shift your weight back to where it belongs in your legs. Qualities of a good cycling posture include: hinging forward at the hips slightly, little pressure on the back, knees, and wrists, and minimal rounding of your back and shoulders. During standing positions, make sure your hips are above your pedal stroke. If you find yourself leaning into the handlebars (especially when pedaling out of the saddle), sit back into the saddle for a few seconds to recharge and realign your body.
- Gear up. Make sure you are wearing comfortable clothes. I prefer long leggings and a tank. It is also great to have cycling shoes, which Flywheel provides for you!
- Don’t cheat yourself. When the instructor tells you to add resistance, don’t just reach for the knob and fake it. Rding without enough resistance can wear on your joints and cause injuries (and a lot of discomfort) if you’re bouncing up and down in the saddle.
- Push yourself. Using more resistance will not make your thighs bigger. Cycling is a cardiovascular activity, not a strength builder. The right amount of resistance can make the difference between a great workout and just spinning your wheels. To avoid using your thigh muscles (quads) too much, focus on keeping your weight back in your hips and avoid pointing your toes as you pedal. By pressing through with a flat foot, you’ll help maximize engagement of your glutes and hips and reduce the pressure on your quads and knee joints. Think of pulling your toes upwards as you pedal so that they’re slightly above the heel (if you haven’t done it before, it might feel like your feet are flexed).
- Last but not least, zone out and have fun. 🙂
If you have a Flywheel in your area, you can get your first class for free! All you need to do is use code FLYTHECITY at checkout. Enjoy!!
SHOP THE POST:
Thank you Flywheel Sports for partnering on this post. All opinions are my own.
