Hey, guys! Checking in quickly today to update you on some recent happenings in my life as well as on the last week’s exercise recap.
My routine was not very versatile last week – all I did was cycling 🙂
I am dying to get back into lifting weights, but… Ok, no “but’s” – I just need to do it.
So last Wednesday, right after I told you about my new indoor cycling experience, I went to another class where the instructor was new to me.
I am not going to go into much detail about it…Just want to tell you it was even worse than the one before that…At some point I just stopped doing what I was told by the instructor and did my own thing.
If I were her, that would have upset me, and maybe it did upset her, too. Oh well – all the more reasons for her to think why. Or maybe next time come up to the person who does that in her class after it’s over and ask him/her what’s going on and why they’re not following her instructions.
In my case – I am not doing the “No Bounce” drill where you isolate your legs, keep your upper body still while pedaling and “make those quads burn”. No thanks, I’ll pass on that one.
Anyway – disappointing.
I keep trying and my plan is to take each and every class this facility offers and see if they have at least one instructor who follows the general safety and common sense guidelines for the industry 🙂 I will keep you posted on the progress/lack thereof.
Meanwhile, I still got a workout that day:
On Thursday, I got this goodness in the mail from Mad Dogg Athletics:
I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was developed by my favorite Jennifer Sage – the founder of the Indoor Cycling Association. I just plowed through this course in two days. What a great resource – so much valuable information and examples of practical applications of the knowledge. I was so eager to keep reading I took this home study with me to the swim club on Saturday 🙂 I am sure I will be coming back to this great book again and again.
Didn’t really do much for the rest of the work week. (Booooooooo)
On Sunday I went for my “dress rehearsal” ride – I put together a profile for my Monday class and go ride it myself first before I take it to the class.
I think it was the most challenging one I’ve put together so far. Lots of time in the saddle, lots of climbing and muscle endurance drills.
Come Monday, it was time to actually teach that class. I was just not feeling it all day on Monday. I don’t know why – I just felt really sluggish and not in the mood to move. But, of course, I had to – it’s my job now and I am responsible and accountable for it to my students who come in every Monday for my class.
This time my husband was able to make it to my class (first time, yey!) – that meant so much to me – it completely transformed my mood and lifted me up!
I also had 2 fellow instructors, one person who was completely new to cycling and one who was getting back to it after a surgery in the class this time. Full set 🙂
I absolutely LOVED this Monday class! I loved having two fellow instructors there riding with passion and helping me out by providing great emotional feedback to my music and routine.
I loved having the totally new to cycling person in the class because it gave me a feeling of great accomplishment to be able to fit her on the bike properly and go over safety guidelines with her, as well as her thanking me after the class and regretting I only teach once a week.
It was great having the person who was recovering after surgery in the class – it made me really think through and re-consider some of my cues on proper form right there and tell her that if she can’t do what I say, she needs to listen to her body and do whatever it tells her.
It felt great to hear people singing along to the music I played.
Above all – it was great to see the look on my husband’s face going like “WOW, my wife can do THAT, too?” 🙂
Awesome class! So much energy flowing – I still feel charged up and happy! Here’s the playlist I had for it:
And that is what I did workout-wise in the past week.
Do share: what was your best workout last week?
Stay fit, friends, and talk to you soon!
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great playlist! When I was teaching there would always be someone who I am sure did not like my music or routine and did their own thing. As long as they were not rude, It didn’t bother me. You won’t be able to please everyone all the time. Seeing you write about spin makes me miss teaching it!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Putting Bondi Bands through the Multi-sport test
Hi Deborah! So far I haven’t had anyone in my class doing their own thing. I’m sure I will though – for various reasons. I’d still want to talk to that person after class to see what those reasons are. You’re absolutely right – it’s impossible to please everyone, but I would want to know what people dislike about my class. You know, just to make sure I don’t get caught up in my own little spinning world 🙂
Thanks for stopping by today!
I just hopped by from #wowlinkup! I too love to spin inside and bike outside. That’s the great thing about warm weather. I can bike for miles and miles.
Hey, thanks for stopping by! I love meeting new people through WOW
As a fellow cycle instructor I too go to classes hoping that the instructor will follow the industries safety guidelines (I’m certified by Schwinn). It’s a blessing and curse to have knowledge when going to other peoples classes because I can’t help but evaluate. Glad your class went well. I’d love to connect sometime and share workout ideas =) #wowlinkup
Alison recently posted…Workout Wednesday – The Climb
Hey Alison! So nice to see a fellow cycling instructor visiting my blog! I’d love to connect and share ideas. Will go stalk your blog to find you on FB 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
Totally understand your frustration with that spin class. I really love good spin classes but really hate bad ones, if you know what I mean 🙂 #wowlinkup
Amanda H recently posted…June Weekly Workout Schedule
Wow my best workout last week? Each one was unique and had its own advantages and drawbacks but I have to say Thursday in boot camp because that was toning day and I went up on my weights from 8 lbs to 10 lbs. Oh yeah feeling major STRONG! #wowlinkup
Femme Fitale Fit Club recently posted…Workout Wednesday – WOW Link Up #30
Glad you’re making progress! That is the most wonderful feeling in the world 🙂
I love Puttin’ on the Ritz.
Thanks for linking up with Wednesday Wonderfulz!
Sarah @ How My World Runs recently posted…Wednesday Wonderfulz #5: music edition
You are most welcome, Sarah! Thanks for stopping by.
I love this particular cover by Robbie Williams. It is so light and rhythmic.
Thanks so much for the song set! I love it! I am also nervous about my upcoming switch in gyms, since I have a cycling instructor I love- I never feel like I don’t want to follow his direction in class. Alas, I’ll be leaving the instructor behind for a more convenient gym- and I’m nervous I’ll encounter the experience you describe, of just giving up on the class instructor and doing my own thing. Wish me luck!
Erica recently posted…Fitness: Workout of the Day #1
Good luck, Erica! Don’t give up – you will find a great instructor – just keep your passion for cycling shining! You are very welcome – I’m glad you liked the playlist!
I love spinning! I was supposed to go tonight, but had a change of plans! My best workout last week was probably my upper body lift – it’s my favorite thing to do right now!
Lauren @ Focused To Be Fit recently posted…The Best Fresh Black Bean & Corn Salsa
Hey Lauren! Glad I have another “Spinning Reader” 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thanks for stopping by today 🙂
You had me cracking up reading this! I teach spin from time to time and go just as crazy when I take other classes. A lot of crazy stuff going on. Last time I went to a bad class, the girl didn’t even get on the bike-she still had her high heels on. I wish I was the only one who had that experience, but sadly I guess it’s pretty common.
Catherine | Fit Armadillo recently posted…Vegetarian Lasagna with Spinach
Hey Catherine! Thanks for stopping by!
Hey, it’s fine by me if the instructor teaches off the bike – it is my workout not theirs and as long as the coaching is good, I don’t care if they peddle themselves or not. I wouldn’t like the heels though 🙂
GREAT job girl!! Whew, I did a spin class once and almost threw up… whoops. You’ve got endurance!! 😉 Thanks for linking up with us on WOW linkup.
Natalie Wester at Clean Eating Teen recently posted…WOW Linkup 6-3-14
There’s nothing wrong with throwing up after your first class 🙂 🙂 🙂 (I’m kidding, of course).
Seriously, thanks – I certainly hope I got endurance 🙂
Oh my gosh. I can’t believe you had another disappointing new instructor experience. Were the other people in the class still going along with the instructor? Such a bummer but way to stick to it! #wowlinkup
Lara @ Uptite Mamas recently posted…Weekly Workout Recap – 6/1
Oh yeah – they were going along because this is the only way they know.
Thanks for stopping by, Lara!
You spin, so in my eyes you are super awesome Lena 🙂
Lynda@fitnessmomwinecountry recently posted…Wednesday Wonderfulz #5 Music Edition
Oh thank you, Lynda!
It is not as hard as many people think 🙂
The reason most instructors don’t talk about safety and set up and etc is because they are competing with other instructors about class size and popularity. When I was a new instructor 26 years ago, I tried that and people didn’t like my class. They gravitated to Artis’ class where they didn’t take heart rates and such. People just want their butts kicked so instructors are in a catch 22 situation. I recently took a spin class where the instructor was great explaining bike set up and etc but she goes over-board with giving advice, and harassing individual students about safety issues. Needless to say, her class is practically empty and she can’t understand why people aren’t coming to her class. I plan to talk to her soon.
The Frugal Exerciser recently posted…Bad Knees Workout #2
Well, nothing beats being safe and injury free on that bike in the long run – that is speaking of competition.
I believe it is a matter of presentation, too – I wouldn’t like a class where an instructor talks about safety for say 10 minutes in the beginning of the class. However, I wouldn’t mind (and my students appreciate it, too), when I talk about safety during the ride it helps them “feel” the bike better and understand what their body is actually doing and why they shouldn’t do certain things.
A lot of it depends on the general practice in the studio – I am fortunate to be working at a place where safety is valued and encouraged. However, imagine me starting to work at the place I described in this post – they’d probably hate me there because I’d seem to be a royal pain in the butt for them. 🙂