Definition of intense (adj)
in·tense[ in ténss ]
1. extreme: great, strong, or extreme in a way that can be felt
2. effortful or active: involving great effort or much activity
3. concentrated: narrowly focused or concentrated
Yup. That's the word. Intense. Let me walk you through it.
First you sign up for a class. This can be the most difficult part of the experience, as often the classes are full, and to get on a waitlist, you have to have some sort of series of classes paid for (up to and including a new class special price). However I'm told (and it happened to me) that most often you'll get in off the waitlist. So go ahead and sign up. You can buy your class in advance online and it is good for a while.
Then you show up and are greeted by a friendly, chipper, and enthusiastic group of folks, ready to get you set up and adjusted on your spin bike. If you're smart, you brought your own clip shoes (or the $2 to rent them - they have quality options and many folks rent) and a shitload of water. They do have water on site if you didn't bring your own... just bring a bottle.
Thusly begins 45 minutes of sheer, intense, sweaty, loud, riding insanity. This is not your standard spin class. First off, it takes place in the dark, so you don't have to worry about the fact that you look like someone in a torture chamber while you're sweating and riding, and you can go to your own pace if you can't keep up without fear of looking like a loser. The class is a mix of runs, hills, sprints, and lots of core/upper body work. Yup. Pushups, obliques, arms, shoulders (with two-pound weights) all while riding, riding, riding. The whole time the instructor is barking a mix of instructions, encouragements and battle rally cries over his/her headset mic to the tune of blasting high-energy music.
At some point during this experience you may feel like you're going to puke, die, or simply fall over in an agonizing, sweaty pile. Good thing you're clipped in. And good thing the music is so loud and the encouragement ever-present, enough to drown out any of the devil-on-your-shoulder mental dissent to this obviously needed exertion.
After the 45 minutes of riding, comes some quick stretching, and a deserved pat on your sweaty back. Did I mention sweat? If, like me, you sweat while playing video games, you'll lose a lot of water during this workout. Even if you don't normally perspire (you precious rose, you), trust me... you'll sweat.
Drink water and be glad for all those calories you just burned. Enjoy the fact that this is a low-impact workout that didn't stress your joints or jar your spine. It's sheer cardio with core work, and you'll feel awesome... once you rehydrate and change out of your sweaty gear.
I found this studio during Yelp Kicks Butt month, and I'm glad I did. It's worth my drive from Montavilla to the Pearl, and I've already been back for another workout. BOOM! read more