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Dabbling: Spinning Your Heart Out

Written while "climbing out of the seat" by Rose


In 2005, I sat in a movie theater with some friends watching the movie Fever Pitch with Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon. While the majority of the RomCom is focused in Fallon being a die-hard Red Sox fan, there was a scene that really captured my attention. Barrymore's character attends a Spin Class with her friends. Although it characterized the instructor as being a yelling exercise dictator, there was something that made me curious about Spin.


I didn't try it for another year, when I finally joined a local gym to get in shape for our wedding. But once I tried it, I was hooked.


Rose, just help me get what I'm looking for.

I've got it - You're ready to clip in. Check out what we'll cover here:


Why do people get obsessed with Spinning?

Prior to trying my first class, I definitely had an image in my mind as to what cyclists looked like. You know, those middle aged executive men in spandex riding in a pack - and always inconveniently 2-3 bikes wide on a narrow two lane road. What really took me over a year to realize was that those cyclists aren't who generally populate these classes.


I finally mustered up the courage to try the class after changing my exercise routine to before work. I would get to the gym early in the morning and jump on an elliptical machine. Which just so happened to have a clear view into the Spin Room. Much to my surprise, it was mostly people my age and not doing their best Lance Armstrong spandex impression.


Based on the schedule on the window, I showed up 10 minutes early for my first class. The instructor brought me over to a bike and helped me adjust it to my height. She also gave me a quick tutorial on the lingo she would be using in class. So I jumped on the bike, adjusted the footstraps, and started pedaling. An hour later I was drenched in sweat, had burned almost 500 calories, and had a sore booty. But I had LOVED it. Here's why:

  • You spin at your own pace - Unlike other aerobics classes I had taken where it was very obvious when you weren't up to the level of the other class participants, spinning has a unique way of making you feel like you're keeping the same pace as everyone around you.

  • The lights are off - Part of the culture of spin is that the studio is dark. Again, it helps you focus just on yourself and not what everyone is doing around you.

  • Moving to the music - The instructors work hard to build playlists that not only reflect their personality, but the intent of the day. Sometimes that would be a theme (maybe for a holiday), but other days it might be hard rock because you're going to grind. Or music with a consistent beat that you'll pedal to. I think this is the reason you'll find so many former dancers who love to spin.

What about a Peloton?

I spun consistently 2-3 times per week at the gym until I was pregnant with my oldest. I had already had a miscarriage, so I panicked when I became pregnant again and stopped any strenuous exercise. Like most moms, I had every intention of going back to spin class after she was born. But that is certainly not what happened. When you're only getting a few hours of sleep per night, it hard to muster up the energy to go to a 5am Spin Class.


Five years, and another child later, I was carrying around an extra 30 pounds. But each time I got into a rhythm, either my husband or I would have a work trip and I wouldn't be able to go to the class.


Rewind to several years earlier, though. A coworker - who also loved spinning - had told me about this company called Peloton that was creating an at-home spin bike with a monitor. It connected to the Internet and allowed you to take spin classes at home. I loved the idea, but the price at that time was around $10K and that just didn't fit into the budget.


But now I went and did a little research and found out that these bikes had come down significantly in price to about $3500. Plus, there were show rooms where you could go and try the bike. So on New Year's Eve 2016, I drug my husband and kids an hour away so I could try the bike at the showroom in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.


I was instantly in love.


The pedal strokes were so smooth. The seat was much comfier than any bike I had ever ridden at the gym studio. And the big monitor had a crystal clear image. Even my husband was impressed. The salesman explained the different payment options, and that there was a monthly fee for access to their online live and on-demand courses. We picked the payment option that worked best for us and placed the order. Two weeks later the delivery team showed up and put the Peloton bike together in my basement. Later that day, I clipped in with my shoes and took my first live class.


I was on my Peloton 3-4 days per week for many years. And like so many, it was a game-changer during COVID. As I've spoken about often on this blog, we were in firm lockdown in the Chicagoland area. So having this amazing bike to help connect me to others and keep my health journey moving forward was a God-send.


No Pause Button

People look at me like I'm crazy when they ask what my favorite part of Peloton is and I would answer, "There is no pause button". Now (unfortunately) there is a pause button. But for many years there wasn't.


I didn't realize how important that was until one day, while I was riding, my kids came up to bug me. I was about to unclip when my husband yelled, "Don't bother mom, she's riding and can't stop till the class was over." I almost fell off the bike.


Now, my husband has LOTS of activities he participates in that don't have a pause button. Playing golf. Playing video games. But for some reason anything I do for fun - reading, crafting - can easily be interrupted. For the first time I had an activity that COULDN'T be interrupted! It was magical. And the kids actually respected it.


When they added the pause button I kept that a secret for a loooooooooooooooong time. But it did teach me the lesson that I, too, can have activities that go until they're done.


So, Should I Get a Peloton?

My honest response when people ask me this question? Is a solid maybe. There are many factors to consider before making that type of purchase:

  • Do you even like spinning? This is a particular types of exercise. If you've never tried spinning, you probably want to go take a class or two and decide if it is right for you. There are options like Cycle Bar or Soul Cycle where you could take an introductory ride. If you belong to a gym, there's a high likelihood that a spin class is offered there. Or try your local community center, as they often offer spin as well.

  • Do you like being talked at for an entire class? Something I personally always love, but does seem to rub people the wrong way, is that the instructors talk THE ENTIRE RIDE. They're attempting to keep you engaged during the ride when you're not in the studio. But for some, its just too much.

  • Do you love positivity? Again, it sounds weird, but for many the immense amount of positivity Peloton Instructors put out there can be overwhelming. Every instructor has their own flavor of motivation, but almost all of them come with an extra positive message. So if you need to be yelled at during a work out (no shame!) then this experience might not be your style.

The Cool Down

I probably didn't give you a definitive answer about whether you should start spinning or not. Like many exercise programs, its going to all depend on you. (And what your doctor says you should/can do!) But I highly suggest giving it a try. Spinning is definitely a community, no matter which way you approach it.

 
 
 

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