Bodyweight Training

Use your body for resistance and get a full-body workout. Try pushups, sit-ups, lunges, and jumping jacks for a mixture of strength training and cardio.

What makes a Spinning class awesome?

I often ask people to tell me what they like about their favorite class or instructor. There seems to be certain qualities that pop up every time. People say things like: great music, encouraging instructor, well planned class, the instructor knows everyone by name, my instructor challenges me... I have to agree with all of these ideas, but there is more to it than that.  A great class is also about what the participants bring to the plate. An instructor provides the "ingredients", and whoever shows up has to be willing to create a "gourmet meal".

I have been on both sides of this fence as a rider and as an instructor and when the participants come to class and tune out the instructor or carry on their own conversations, it really detracts from atmosphere.  I think an awesome class happens when the participants and the instructor work together to create it. I don't think that the instructors can do it all by themselves.

Next time you go to a Spinning class, look around the room and see how much the participants are bringing to the table. Are they engaged, are they listening and following instructions. Do the participants keep those who would threaten the positive atmosphere in check via peer pressure? Is your favorite class your favorite solely because of the instructor, or is it the combination of who is in the room riding together that creates that magic? Think about what you bring to the table!