This post is part of my 2017 New Year’s Resolution to try every group fitness class offered at my gym, The Equinox in Chestnut Hill. See the full list of reviews here.
I’m starting to think more about Tri for a Cure in July. My third triathlon! I’m desperate for a better swim experience and also laughing a little at how much better I know it will be. Did I really get into that ocean last year knowing I’d never successfully swum more than 75 yards of front crawl before I had to flip over onto my back because I felt like I couldn’t breathe? I am crazy. I’m not even sure it’s the good kind of crazy sometimes.
I’m pretty excited by how much swimming I’ve been doing (with a great coach) since October. This year’s going to be different.
But it’s definitely time to base-build for the bike and run. Good think Performance Cycling was on my list of classes I haven’t taken yet.
Today’s Class: Performance Cycling with Mark Strasnick
Class length: 45 Minutes
Description from the Equinox: Whether you are preparing for longer rides outdoors, a specific competitive event, or just want to up your fitness level, this class is for you. Sample rides include: hill work, speed and sprint intervals, breathing/meditation techniques and form exercises.
What Class Was Like
Hard intervals. I mean hard. When the instructor says things like “These sprints are where you’re most likely to lose your breakfast” you better get ready for it. I was skipping sprint efforts because I couldn’t recover in between. I would say that it was similar to some of the Studio Cycling classes I’ve taken but designed to be a bit harder. Everything varies so much by instructor, but the recovery times seemed a bit shorter for some of the sprint effort clusters, and the number of hard efforts was impressive.
That said, Mark was very welcoming of beginners and all levels. He reminded people regularly that it was fine to do your own thing, to modify an effort, to skip an effort, to just have a good time. It was easily structured so that you could get a maximum intensity performance class, but you didn’t feel awkward if you pushed a bit too hard and skipped the next effort.
Mark also got off his bike and went around checking form and making a few minor suggestions during one of the recovery periods, which you don’t see a lot of instructors do and is a great opportunity for beginners. Evidently Mark is also the owner/manager of Apex Velo, a cycling shop in Newton, MA that offers high quality gear, fittings, bike servicing and group rides.
I got the sense he really knew what he was doing. I found his interjected comments on form helpful (stay smooth while you’re riding, don’t stab at the pedals… with a demo on what stabbing looks like).
He was funny, welcoming of all levels, had a good playlist, and worked us really hard.
Would I go back?
Yes, absolutely. I wonder how different Performance Cycling vs. Studio Cycling are depending on instructor, but I love the idea that Performance Cycling is designed to help you get stronger. I’d be really curious to take a class that included the breathing/meditation techniques alluded to in the class description as a possible sample ride.
I’d love to take classes from this instructor again but the time conflicts with preschool drop-off. I sneaked in this week because there are school conferences so I brought my five year old to the gym playspace. Come June when he’s out of school but kindergarten is still in session for Will, I could see myself back in Mark’s class to prep for Tri for a Cure!
Who would love it?
Anyone who wants to put in some hard efforts to get stronger and faster.
If you would rather zone out and listen to music and spin your wheels, the regular instruction for brief intervals might not be as good a fit. I’d recommend this class if you’re at least hoping to attempt to closely follow the instructions. While you CAN do your own thing, it’s much more fun doing the class as it’s designed.
Know before you go
Cycling shoes really help you get more power for the full foot-stroke when you’re cycling indoors. Bikes at the Equinox are SPD clip compatible and Look/Delta compatible, but they also had cages so you can wear your normal shoes. (Don’t be afraid to do that before investing in cycling shoes.)
At the Equinox you reserve your specific bike in advance; look for the numbers on the front of each bike to find your spot when you get there.
I recommend ear plugs for most indoor cycling classes. This one was borderline but they’re good to have just in case.
