Looking for a good workout, try indoor cycling. A very popular workout, it is an incredible calorie burn and best of all, you do it at a self-directed pace. People either love it or hate it, and it's not for everyone. Here are a few tips to help you include indoor cycling your exercise routine.
First, my disclaimer, I am not an instructor, trainer or fitness guru of any sort. I work out to stay healthy. Actually, my fitness levels have done a 180 more than a few times in my life. Getting back into a healthy workout routine can be difficult. Sometimes we create obstacles to avoid exercising. I realized that the obstacle I created to avoid indoor cycling was probably holding others back as well. Hopefully these tips will help motivate you past your obstacles.
Indoor cycling is conquered with the thought "mind over matter". Once you start the ride, you'll see what I mean. It is a very physical work out so make sure you set your bike up to fit your body before class starts. This will help eliminate the first obstacle, discomfort. The bikes generally have a narrow seat called the saddle. There are cushioned seat covers and padded pants that you can buy, but they can't replace proper positioning. Make sure your seat position and handlebars are good for your height. And, while riding, keep your body weight over your hips and not over your handlebars. This will reduce the likelihood of undue pressure on the knees and other joints. Bike positioning is key to your comfort. It allows the mind to really surpass matter.
Second, go with the music. Most, if not all indoor cycling classes are conducted with pulsating music. Connect the music to the instructors resistance scale. Don't get caught up in trying to understand their scale right away, just understand that the amount of resistance you put on the bike correlates with the road. During the class the instructor might take you on imaginary trails and paint a picture of flat road, rolling hills, and mountain tops. Or, your instructor might do speed drills. Adjust your resistance so that you keep peddling regardless of the road or drill. Everyone will get to the same place at the same time.
Finally, let the beat or genre become a motivator and not an obstacle. The music may change from hip hop to country to new wave etc. without notice. Some instructors have a knack for programing the music to fit their workout style, but often it depends on the instructor's musicality. The instructor will crank up the music and off you go. Crank your peddles to the beat, adding or reducing resistance with the beat in each song. This removes the obstacle of fitness over form. Everyone has a different level of fitness from beginner to expert and everything in-between. Focus on you and know that no one is paying attention to your work out anyway. Indoor cycling is self-directed. Advanced cyclers and mid-level cyclers are focused on their next challenge.
When just starting out in indoor cycling, put mind over matter. Focus on comfort, music and fitness. Enjoy the work out and reap the benefits to your health.
