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.
Class: Studio Cycling
Class length: 55 Minutes
Description from the Equinox: A cardio workout on a stationary bike based on cycling principles. Classes are technique based and/or real terrain based and focus on cadence, heart-rate zones, climbs & sprints that can make an unpredictable ride that is fun and challenging.
What Class Was Like
Classic studio cycling. Some intervals, a few longer efforts, good music. Like any indoor cycling class I’ve taken, a lot depends on the instructor. Finding an instructor you enjoy who plays music you like is key!
Studio Cycling had shorter efforts and more variety than The Pursuit. The times I’ve taken The Pursuit there have been three long games where you’re maximizing effort for a 9 or 10 minute period. It’s good for endurance, but it can be hard to motivate yourself to just keep riding strong for a 10 minute stretch. Especially if your team is solidly behind.
Verdict:
I love Studio Cycling. When I compare my average and maximum watts in Studio Cycling vs. The Pursuit, all my Studio Cycling classes come out ahead. I tend to ride more miles because of the additional interval work. I accomplish more mileage pushing hard and then backing off than I do maintaining a consistent effort. The interval approach is also more similar to outdoor cycling conditions, where I tend to push hard up a hill, recover and coast down the hill, pedal flat… the terrain is always changing. Rarely am I settling in for 10 minutes at the same ocadence and resistance. Both classes are fun, both have strengths, and variety itself is a training tool. I’m sure I’ll be back to both!
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.
Great for the day after you lift weights
I love cycling because similar to running it works mostly your lower body. It’s a great class to take the day after you lift weights (I took Pure Strength yesterday). One of the best parts about getting into triathlons is that I can always find something to do that works my muscles slightly differently than the workout I did the day before. One of the worst parts about triathlon is that I feel like I’m not consistent enough to improve in any of the three sports. But when I remember that health is the ultimate goal, I think it’s wonderful that I have so many activities I enjoy to choose from every day.
Glad you enjoyed it – you give great write-ups of your classes! I’m enjoying my F.I.T. class at the gym – I’ve only gone to the Tuesday one, I try and go over lunch on days when it works into my schedule. This week I’ll try the other instructor. The Tuesday instructor is great, he does go around and correct people’s form when needed. Last week, the all the exercises were done on the Bosu trainer for balance work!
I had to google Bosu trainer! That sounds fun. I have such a renewed appreciation for fitness instructors, they’re generally such a great group of people!