This month, we here at Preen are determined to work on our fitness. Be our witness (see what we did there?) by checking out our motivational #fitspo stories on new workout routines, the low-down on healthy eating, and the latest in athleisure every week—you know, just about everything you need to get those pulses racing.
Being someone who hasn’t biked her entire life, indoor cycling does fascinate me―I don’t know why. Maybe it’s just the thought that I can bike in these classes without having to move an inch and hurt myself. However, after visiting Saddle Row, I found out it’s much more than just pedaling in these spin classes.
Previously, we’ve tackled on the basics and training routines for yoga, athletic training, and CrossFit. To cap off this fitness series, we reached out to resistance instructor Claudia Tagle of Saddle Row to give us a bit of insight on what one can expect in spinning classes, and also giving emphasis on the importance of coordination.
The basics
Contrary to the idea that you only strengthen your leg muscles in cycling, classes in Saddle Row also focus on other core parts during their workout. One main component in their classes is the amount of resistance or weights that you put on your legs when cycling.
“There are resistance bands tied to the bikes, and instead of using dumbbells, we use these bands to work on the upper body,” Claudia explains. “You have to make sure that your legs feel heavy enough for you to get your heart rate to go up.”
She continues that the level of resistance also varies depending on a client’s capability. Instructors can modify the levels, and they can give clients the freedom to dial it down whenever they’re getting tired.
Other than doing resistance training, clients can also try Exchange and Underground classes. All these classes, as Claudia says, can match anyone’s preferences whether they’re into cycling in general or want heart-thumping music incorporated into the workout.
How to keep in sync with the trainer
According to Claudia, instructors will first give you a brief explanation of what movements you’ll do for the day, and after that, you will follow their lead during class. She admits that the class and the movements that they teach do come off as daunting, especially if you’re not well-coordinated.
“It’s a little difficult, but as you keep going, you can do so much better,” Claudia says. “We have monitors so we can keep up on how heavy your gears are so you don’t make mistakes such as keeping your legs super light or spinning super fast.”
What if the instructor loses a beat? Claudia tells us that there have been moments that has happened, especially if the instructor is new. “It’s very important to have proper cuing in class because [once you mess up,] it’ll affect the rhythm of the class. So, I always try to emphasize in class that we have to stay on beat and for them to just follow my legs,” she says.
Another important tip is to keep your energy high so you wouldn’t spoil the mood and atmosphere. After all, how would you keep in sync and work out in a gloomy environment, right?
“There are really some days you get students who are really energetic, and those who are kind of dead. Because of that, it becomes very hard for us to stay energetic and to interact with them,” Claudia shares.
No need to be conscious
Just like every other gym, you get to work out with different people in spinning classes. If you’re really invested in getting into spinning, Claudia advises that you just come into class and not mind the other people in the room.
“I think some people come into the room and get conscious. For me, it doesn’t matter because everybody’s trying to do the same thing so just let loose and have fun,” she says.
The way I see it, indoor cycling is definitely no different than regular biking because both are fitness methods incorporated with the factor of fun. And that’s what makes any workout worth doing: It’s the fact that you’re happy than restless to do it more than anything else.
Saddle Row. 2/F Serendra, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. (02) 966-3610. For more information and list of locations, visit their website.
Photo courtesy of Saddle Row’s Instagram