With the huge popularity flare with spin classes such as Soul Cycle and Flywheel, there’s few people who haven’t heard of indoor cycling these days. Indoor cycling is a heart pumping, cycling-based fitness class. Classes are crazy fun, crazy exhausting, and crazy empowering.
As a ~certified~ indoor cycling instructor I’ve got some hot tips to share with y’all in case you’re nervous about your first class. Strap on your SPD shoes and take a ride with me!
You’re going to sweat, a lot.
Classes are usually between 45-60 minutes of INTENSE cardio. Even with a warm-up and cool-down, you’re still getting AT LEAST thirty minutes of challenging hills, heavy pushes, and fast sprints. I suggest wearing sweat-wicking clothes (my go to is a tank top and capri leggings from Athleta), bringing a towel (if your studio doesn’t provide them), and making sure you have a full and chilled water bottle.
The music is going to be LOUD.
Music is a huge part of any spin class. Some classes, such as the ones offered at Soul Cycle, will “ride to the beat” meaning certain movements will be synced up with the exact rhythm of the music.
While music can motivate you, for those people with sensitive ears you might want to bring a pair of ear plugs with you to protect you ear drums. Some studios actually offer these at the front desk, too!
There’s going to be a lot of talking AT you.
In every spin class you are going to have an instructor at the front of the class, leading you through a program they have created. It is their job to inspire, motivate, and push you. Instructors will yell out directions for speed, resistance, and position of you hands and body throughout the entire class. Also, don’t be surprised if they throw some inspiring words at you to get you over that last hill.
You’ll need ~special~ shoes.
This is not the case for EVERY studio, but many will require that you wear specific shoes so that you can “clip-in” to their bikes. Clipping in makes rides safer and more efficient. Check in with your studio before class to see if they offer shoe rentals or if you have to bring your own. Furthermore, inquire about the type of clips they use: the most common are SPD and DELTA clips.
However, some studios have bikes with “cages” for your feet which do not require indoor cycling shoes. In this case feel free to wear your favorite sneakers!
It’s not going to be easy, and that’s okay.
Indoor cycling is HARD WORK. Class is exhausting, by the end you will be covered in sweat and completely out of breath. It is OKAY if you can’t totally keep up in your first class, no one is expecting you to be perfect. Usually studios are kept dark, so I promise no one is looking at you; they’re all focused on getting the most out of their work out.
Take a break, towel off, grab a sip of water and hop back in when you are ready. The more you ride, the better you get and the better you feel.
