Getting my Gears Spinning

I took my first ever cycling class yesterday.
For whatever reason, I never jumped on the trendy Spin, SoulCycle, or Peloton bikes, but when I heard Flywheel is a friendly competition and your first class is totally FREE (and there's a studio 3-minutes walk from my house), then I figured why not?! 

Quick Pep Talk: Have you ever feel burnt out from your fitness regimen and start losing motivation to continue? Rather than discontinuing exercise altogether, I recommend you try something new instead. You never know how exciting it could be. You could meet a new friend. You could find your hidden talent, or you could discover inner abilities in a new light. You might just amaze yourself and find that new motivation that keeps your health on track in a fun way.

Get this - I've predominantly been an anaerobically trained athlete, which means my training has typically been resistance focused and my muscle fibers are better conditioned for strength, not endurance. When I competed in a bodybuilding show, the aerobic training portion was incline walking (5-10 min warm-up) with HIIT sprints (30sec on, 30sec off), not long-distance or long-duration endurance running or cycling.

So, I sort of thought I would metaphorically die in a cycling class, but the point system at Flywheel was exactly the motivational coaching style I needed to succeed.

They have a system where you generate Power Points based on your self-selected speed (RPM) and Torq (resistance). The displays at the front of the room list your nickname, bike number, and Power Points, so you can race for the top or just take the class your own pace. (You also can opt out of the competition if that's not your thing.)

In their Methods [classic] class, the instructor Bethany integrated 4 different sprint breakout intervals where you drop the Torq to a range of 15-25 and then sprint out MAX speed - the "EVERYTHING YOU GOT moment." She pushed us to beat our personal high speeds, and I find competition with yourself to be the most rewarding. I'm so proud of myself to have reached a 155 RPM max and hit over 6 power points in a single 45 second interval. I ended the class with a Total Power of 269, coming in 5th place (of 9 females) - not bad for a first cycling class, and based on the Flywheel online metrics, I burned 357 calories and traveled 21.81 miles in 45 minutes. 

By far cooler (and more meaningful) than distance & calories, I came in 1st place on 3 of the 4 sprint intervals, and 2nd place on the 4th. It was truly my anaerobic training ability shining through in a room of aerobic athletes. The excitement of discovering my fitness in a new way during a phase of feeling bored by my exercise routine instilled new motivation to go out and get it.

Maybe I'll cycle again, maybe I won't. But I will carry this determination and confidence with me and remember I'm destined for greatness.

And so are you. 
Find your fitness. 
Sometimes you'll be 5th place.
Sometimes you'll be 1st. 
Look for your strengths.
Carry them with you as you continue to seek growth. 
Generate your power.
Get your gears Spinning. 
#NeverCoast