If you call RIDE a “spin class,” you’ll quickly be corrected by anyone who is part of the RIDE tribe in the Lake Travis area. Calling it a spin class is like calling a veggie burger a hamburger. To a meat eater.
RIDE Indoor Cycling is located at Hill Country Galleria near Central Plaza. It’s an indoor cycling studio with stationary bikes, but what happens inside is miles from ordinary.
I was lucky enough to give RIDE a whirl with my fit fam of Lake Travis mamas. How could I say no to these ladies?
Besides, I work out.
How hard could it be …
Boogey on a bike
My RIDE enthusiast friends have called it a “dance party on a bike” and after taking a class, I think that’s an incredibly accurate description.
The playlist is perfectly curated. The vibe is upbeat, fun and intense.
While it is a low impact workout, don’t let that fool you. You will sweat. A lot. It’s a major calorie-burner.
The first time
For newbies to RIDE, that first class is a thrill. You can feel the energy level in the studio before your feet even touch the pedals. The lights dim, the room glows and music fills the space.
At RIDE, you pedal to the beat — the magic of cadence — so the studio has its own rhythm of bodies in motion.
Pedal the right way
For me, the first 15 minutes of class were the toughest. I was struggling with toe clips. I normally bike outside without toe clips, so I tend to point my toes down while pedaling.
At RIDE, you need to point your toes up and focus on keeping your heels down. Pulling up on the pedals is just as important as pushing down. Sounds weird, but when you’re on the bike it makes sense.
Battling your brain
RIDE requires a mind-body connection when you’re pedaling fast and lifting your seat up off the saddle, doing crunches towards the handlebars and “tapping back.” The movements are supposed to be quick and precise, so it may take a few minutes for your brain to compute.
My brain was like, “Whoa, whoa, whoa. What the heck are we doing, Cath!?” I was panting and painfully aware of how awkward I felt. But after a while, I got the hang of it.
Steady strength
By the end of the class, I was feeling inspired and invigorated. I had to back off on the resistance here and there, but I did it.
As the instructor gave us our pep talk during our “uphill climb,” my body felt at ease and my mind had relaxed. I was in the zone and it felt great. I was also very very sweaty.
9 tips for RIDE newbies:
- Check out the RIDE website for a class schedule, sign up and reserve a spot.
- You can pick your exact bike, so if you’re new you may want to be at the back of the studio. You can watch others for guidance.
- When you arrive, they will give you a pair of shoes with toe clips and the shoes seem to fit true to size.
- RIDE staff will help you find your bike, adjust the seat height and handlebar height to get you set up correctly.
- They have lockers so you can store your items safely during class.
- They have a water dispenser and fresh towels on the bikes.
- Don’t death-grip the handlebars! They are there to keep you stable, not to support all of your weight. Try to stretch and wiggle your fingers during class.
- Try not to fling your elbows out to the side when you’re lifting off of the seat and tapping back because it puts tension on your shoulders. Focus on keeping your elbows by your side.
- Draw encouragement from your fellow riders, but it’s your personal ride, so make it work for you.
Are you a member of the RIDE tribe?
Let us know why you love it and share your tips with RIDE newbies in the comments section of our Facebook page.
