The class. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

What's Up With The Cycling Craze?

Since LA girls, Instagram influencers, Youtube vloggers and more started getting into the craze of "Soul Cycle," cycling quickly became a trend throughout the states, and people SWEAR by it.

50
What's Up With The Cycling Craze?

In This Article:

I'll admit, I was skeptical of going into cycling. Obviously, I did my research, and although it looked crazy fun, I was terrified! All the girls posting about the craze were already crazy fit girls. Overall, all the pages I did find said similar to the following; it's cult-like, it's intimidating, it's hard as hell, and it's insanely addicting. Ready to make the jump for myself, I texted a friend of mine and a cycling veteran, Gracie Swift, who also took to writing her experience with cycling, which you can find here. Within 15 minutes, we were set up for a class for the following morning, and ready to go.

The set up itself was super straight forward, for us, we went to our local club, The Madison Tempe, and took a 9:00 am class with Demar Jackson (@djfromsocal). The Madison charged $15 for the drop in class, and for your first class, your shoe rental and water is also free. From here, the anxiety really set in. I was excited but terrified.

The class.

When walking into the class, immediately all of my fears went away, everyone was so welcoming and the energy is insane. Gracie referred to it as "a frat party on a bike" and I've never agreed more. For us, our instructor DJ also used weights towards the end of class, making an already tough workout even better. If you're a headbanger like me, take a spin class, if you're a rap lover, take a spin class, if you need to take time to focus on you, TAKE A SPIN CLASS.

Throughout the entire class, DJ would keep our energy high by adding choreography to the music, from sway to the left and right, to a full headbang, there was never a lack of energy. Start to get tired? discouraged? Around halfway through DJ made the room pitch black, slowed the music and essentially said to just focus on you, you're here for a reason, you can't get this moment back. You can do this, and you will do this. That alone will keep you motivated all day.

Now, the class is hard, I can't lie. However, you don't HAVE to do it all, consistency is key, just do it at your speed, but following their instructions and you got it. However, good luck, you may go through a moment where you'll need to slow down for a moment, but in all reality, the energy is so high throughout the class you won't want to stop.

Stepping off that bike, I have never instantly been so sore, my legs felt like jello, I could barely stand, I was dripping sweat, yet I didn't want to be done! I instantly started looking into monthly packages and memberships, my own shoes and the next classes. Like I said, cult-like, and addicting.

Now, I will say, I know "gym anxiety" is a huge thing, but I promise you, not a single person in that room is focused on you. You're so zoned into yourself and the music, and not railing yourself on the handlebars that you don't have the time to focus on anyone else.

For the rest of the day, I swear, I have never felt better. I left The Madison feeling energetic, fit, and so much more. And that energy lasted all day.

So...what do I wear? 

The reality behind cycling is that you will, without a doubt, be sore as hell. I promise though... it's the best sore I have truly ever experienced. My chest and arms were sore, my legs still jello, yet I wanted to go back within four hours.

When it comes to attire, not everyone will love it. My best suggestion and the population suggestion which you'll see within classes is tight leggings and a high neck sports bra, shorts will rub way too much and are a huge no-no, even the men wore leggings under their shorts. With that the amount of sweat pouring out of you makes it hard to wear anything up top — if you aren't a sports bra only type a gal, I would suggest a TIGHT fitted tank or crop top.

Overall, taking the leap to go to a spin class was the best decision I've ever made. I don't think I will ever regret the leap and I'm so glad that I did it.

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

Everyone, and I mean everyone has heard of the show "One Tree Hill". Many people think that this show is the best thing they've ever watched and others won't bother watching it because they know they'll get hooked. And yes, I know many people have written about this show before, but I couldn't resist. I could re-watch every season multiple times to the point where I can almost quote an entire scene. Trust me, once you start "One Tree Hill", you will be hooked. There's way too many reasons to list as to why you'll love this show, and these are just a few.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

5 Ways To Bring Positivity Into Your Life When All You Want To Do Is Drown In Self-Pity

It seems like life has been serving up more bad than good and in all honesty, the only thing you want to do is crawl under your covers and hide from the rest of the world.

1611
5 Ways To Bring Positivity Into Your Life When All You Want To Do Is Drown In Self-Pity
Photo by Kinga Howard on Unsplash

The first two weeks of classes have come to an end and they have been anything BUT easy. It seems like life has been serving up more bad than good and in all honesty, the only thing you want to do is crawl under your covers and hide from the rest of the world.

Although this seems like the best solution, it is also the easy way out. Take it from the girl who took basically a whole week off from her life because she just could not handle everything that was being thrown at her. This caused her to feel extremely lonely and even more stressed out for being behind in classes that JUST began.

Keep Reading...Show less
friends

1. Thank you for being my person.

2. Thank you for knowing me better than I know myself sometimes.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Things We Learned From Brooke Davis

"What's more important? What we become or how we become it?"

833
Brooke Davis

"She was fiercely independent, Brooke Davis. Brilliant, and beautiful, and brave. In two years she had grown more than anyone I had ever known. Brooke Davis is going to change the world someday, and I'm not sure she even knows it." - Lucas Scott, An Unkindness of Ravens

Brooke Davis of the hit show One Tree Hill was the it girl - she had it all, or so we thought. She started out as a stuck-up, shallow, spoiled, head cheerleader who didn't have her life together. She slept around a lot and loved to party - sounds like your typical high school teenager right? Wrong. B. Davis had so much more to offer. Caring, loyal, and outspoken, she has taught us some valuable lessons throughout the 9 seasons that OTH was on the air:

Keep Reading...Show less
Honorary Roommate
Rachel Zadeits

For some of us, coming to college was the first time we ever had to share a room. It was a big change, but a fun one. As you meet more and more people over the course of your college career, it seems to be a pattern that you will at some point have that one friend that doesn't live with you, but acts like they do. We call those people, "Honorary Roommates" and here are 11 signs you have one in your life.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments