Sunday Spin with Jen J

As I continue my reviews of the group ex classes at the wonderful YMCA where I work, I had the chance to attend Jennifer's Spin Class. Sadly, I only could stay for 40 minutes of the hour class before it was time to leave and attend to my spriritual wellness ;-) but got a great workout and had fun.

She did a great job of warming us up - both of the warm up songs were great. I didn't recognize them but they had nice beats and had a "ride" theme to them. I also liked her emphasis on warming us up in all three positions. She was able to cue on correct position in them (very useful for any new spinners) and continued to cue us on good form throughout the class. (as I say frequently, no sense in sweating off calories if you're stressing your back or knees!)

I got particularly jazzed when I had my first spinning show tunes moment. (I am a show tunes addict... and dream of doing a spin class comprised entirely therefo!) She used Madonna's version of Hello Buenos Aires from the Evita soundtrack that has a great pop latin beat, but that changes tempo you really stay focused. That was followed by the awesome Jai Ho (from the Slumdog Millionairre soundtrack... technically not a showtune, but touched that part of my geeky heart!). Then, for my last song before I had to leave, she brought out The Climb - from Miley Cyrus, which tickled my inner 13 year old.

Yes, I'm easily tickled ;-) In addition to these musical high spots, she also incorporated mellow songs in between the high energy ones, giving the class a nice balance.

I was bummed when I had to leave, but got a great workout and a terrific start to the week.

Jen teaches 3rd Sundays each month, at 9:35 am.

Spinning With Shawn

Spinning classes at the YMCA are a great way to keep up the calorie burn, endorphins during these dark months, and Shawn’s early Sunday classes really rock. Let me count the ways...

1. As a fellow cycling instructor, I so love Shawn’s emphasis on form. No sense in burning calories if you are stressing your knees or lower back, right? He makes sure the class is set up/riding in good positions for their body and reminds us throughout to concentrate on this.

2. Secondly, you can’t NOT love Shawn’s music. He finds mixes (mashups) that use great, familiar music, but that is at motivating tempos. Last Sunday’s class featured a track with Kelly Clarkson, P!ink, and some hip hop artist that didn’t recognize (not my genre) but that really made it fun to pedal at a 92% heart rate.

3. Finally, he really structures the ride so you are motivated to keep the tempo, do the jumps and hills and (ack) sprints (my nemesis). You really burn calories. Dress for sweat.

One caveat… he only teaches 2^nd and 5^th Sundays at the admittedly early slot of 8:30… and get there well ahead of that earliness, his class sign-up will be full 15 minutes ahead of time!

Pumping It Up

I am fortunate to be on staff at a GREAT YMCA but after the last staff meeting, it occurred to me that I have taken very few of the group exercise classes offered. What a missed opportunity for me! So I’ve taken a goal to try each one!

Last Friday I was fortunate enough to take Body Pump from Isabelle and Diana. I know weight training is good for you, and I love working out to music, so seemed a good fit. (Thank you Liz for suggesting this – I’m so glad you joined the Y!)

Both teachers were great at letting you know what to expect (how many sets, what moves were coming) and they took turns going throughout the room and correcting form! I love that, both from a safety standpoint, and because I work much harder knowing they are looking around!

I deliberately kept my weights low, since I was inexperienced, but I felt a good endorphin glow afterward… and really felt it the next two days!