100 Lessons I’ve Learned in 100 CycleBar Classes

“We should go take a cycle class next Tuesday,” one of my friends texted me as we passed time during our AP government Zoom class. At first, I thought she was joking, but we took the plunge and signed up for a free class.

I didn’t put much thought into it, nor did I feel nervous until I turned into the plaza and saw the “CycleBar” sign. As a dancer, I was so used to the same movements and exercises for years and finally trying something new and out of my comfort zone was hard to wrap my head around.

We walked in and were greeted with comforting smiles. The Velcro shoes, dark room and stationary bikes seemed to stare back at us– little did I know how much this cycle class would change for me.

As I approach 100 rides, I reflect on my experience and realize how much I have grown from each class and the countless lessons I learned.

Through 100 rides I want to share 100 lessons:

1. Cycle classes have allowed me to gain more confidence in my body. I have gone from never picturing myself in anything but baggy clothes to being able to feel confident wearing a sports bra to class.
2. Working out does wonders for your mental health. I started cycle classes to take a break from school and create a separation when virtual life ensued amid the pandemic, and I am so glad I did. 
3. The instructors will become your friends. I am beyond thankful for the connections I have made with my instructors and am so grateful that they are such a big part of my life now. Whether they are rooting me on in class or on social media, I feel a sense of genuine support from them like no other.
4. I learned to appreciate more styles of music through the instructors’ playlists and broke my cycle of listening to the same music on repeat. 
5. Meeting new people and throwing myself into new environments allows me to break out of my bubble and become more outgoing.
6. It taught me to take breaks when I need them, and that life doesn’t have to be a constant series of events.
7. Through cycle, I have been able to do things I never thought my body would be able to do and have pushed past my limits – like cycling for 15 miles!
8. The amount of water I can drink during a 45-minute class is unreal.
9. I do best in group workout settings. I realized that having people around me is extremely motivating and I prefer it to going to the gym alone. 
10. Starting your morning with a 6 a.m. workout is so good for your productivity. It took me a while to form this habit, but every time I take a 6 a.m. class my days are always so much better. 
11. It doesn’t matter how long you work out for; it matters what you do. 
12. Setting small goals for yourself is essential to your success. Whether it is setting a goal like reaching a certain number of miles, going a certain speed for x number of minutes or reaching milestones like 25, 50 or 100 classes; it can keep you on track.
13. Through cycle, I’ve learned that it is so important to listen to your body and understand that cancelling or skipping out on something is completely okay. 
14. Finding the right instructor is so important and can make or break the class. Making sure you are comfortable with them and the way they teach their class is essential to make the experience more enjoyable.
15. It may sound cheesy but dressing up for themed rides like “white-out” rides and following the themes with your friends makes the experience so much better and creates the most memorable rides. 
16. Cycle classes have made me so much more aware of how easy it is to take for granted what your body can do. 
17. Growing up as a dancer, I always had my days and classes scheduled. When I was no longer in the dance setting, I found that being able to schedule when I was going to go to cycle classes made me more likely to get them done.
18. I love working out in the dark. 
19. If you’re ever overwhelmed just take a deep breath. I got this advice from one of my favorite instructors very recently, and it is something I try to practice as I go through my days. 
20. The fact that I am riding for myself and myself only has allowed me to pay less attention to my surroundings and to decrease the comparisons I make with those around me.
21. The beat of the music matters more than you think.
22. I realized just how weak my arms were.
23. How you feel matters more than what is reflected in your stats.
24. I always felt that I was working out to achieve a certain look or reaching a certain number on the scale. Cycle has completely shifted this focus for me and has allowed me to realize that working out is about moving your body and creating healthy habits.
25. Everyone in the studio is rooting for your success.
26. Cycle classes have made me appreciate food more. 
27. Always, always, always do what you love.
28. I have found that you do your best when you are comfortable in what you’re wearing. Making sure that you are not fidgeting with your clothes during class is so important, and it truly does not matter what you are wearing if you are comfortable. 
29. Mind over matter.
30. Connect classes are my favorite, and I have found that being able to ride without being aware of my position in class is so beneficial.
31. If a ride you want to go to is full, putting yourself on the waitlist actually works.
32. Whether it is reaching a specific number of rides or miles, I have found that celebrating the small victories is always fun and crucial to not always taking everything too seriously.
33. The 45-minute class in a dark room has been the best way for me to forget about all my surroundings and truly clear my mind from whatever stress I may be feeling.
34. I have learned to be more appreciative of my time and how I use it.
35. Cycle classes start right on time so being early is crucial. Through this I have become a more punctual person and learned how to calculate my time to make sure I am not late.
36. I was always so inspired by all the hairstyles everyone wore so I learned how to braid and had more fun with how I did my hair.
37. Stretching is extremely important. 
38. Your progress will not always parallel another person’s progress and that is completely okay. It is important to get rid of these comparisons and realize that you are growing at your own pace.
39. It’s important to remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing. Having a purpose and reminding yourself of this can be motivating especially when you are feeling discouraged.
40. Crying is okay, and the emotions you feel are completely valid.
41. Introducing your family and friends to cycle classes is so fun and some of my favorite classes have been when I have taken my friends and family to their first class. 
42. The whole experience has introduced me to more brands of workout wear.
43. With cycle classes, I realized how much I rely on my water bottle and how it comes with me everywhere I go.
44. You’re not always going to hit a personal record and that’s okay. I used to be so hard on myself if I “did worse” than I did the previous class, but variations in your classes is more than normal and not always hitting a personal best is okay.
45. As someone who was getting bored of running around the same block four times a week, cycle taught me that exercise can actually be fun.
46. Good things take time.
47. Whether you are seeking physical or mental progress, you need to have patience.
48. Set good intentions for yourself daily.
49. You can always make time for things. I especially realized this when I thought I “didn’t have time” to attend a class but in reality, it just took me moving something around or using my time in a more productive way to be able to attend.
50. Just keep going (and pedaling) because once you stop it is so much harder to start again.
51. You can achieve anything if you work hard. All your goals and dreams are possible if you just work towards achieving them. 
52. Healthy competition never hurts. Racing with those in your class and seeing your place go up on the board can be extremely fun and rewarding.
53. I almost did not go to my first class because I was so nervous. It is important to realize that this is a normal feeling and once you take the first step the nerves will go away.
54. Never give up.
55. It’s not “just like riding a bike.”
56. The choreography will make the classes so much more fun. Whether it is doing pushups or crunches on the bike the instructors always find ways to incorporate other movements into the ride.
57. Bring a towel because you really will sweat more than you think.
58. When the instructor starts walking around the room it will be terrifying.
59. Your form matters so much and is vital in making sure you don’t hurt yourself.
60. Make sure you are clipped in, and then double check. Falling off your bike and hitting your shin with the pedal hurts, and you will be thankful that you double checked to avoid this from happening.
61. I’ve learned that working out in the dark has allowed me to focus less on my surroundings and myself – truly placing emphasis on how I am feeling and listening to my body. 
62. It’s okay to have high expectations.
63. Speak up if you need help. Whether it is if you’re having trouble clipping in or adjusting your bike, speak up and ask. This has taken me a while to get used to because I have grown up shy but realizing that no one will know unless you speak up has helped me.
64. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
65. I used to avoid getting a spot at the front because I saw it as intimidating and scary. Through experience, I have realized that sitting at the front can be fun and even pushes you to do better.
66. Take corrections from your instructors and apply them. The instructors are there to help you succeed, so if you get a correction from them, take the time to apply it and learn from it.
67. It is important to live in the moment.
68. Focus on what’s in front of you rather than what is outside of the studio. For 45 minutes you are all that matters.
69. Balance in life is key.
70. You can make the workout as hard or easy as you want it to be. Adjusting the workouts to what your body needs should be your priority in making sure you do not hurt yourself or get burnt out.
71. Taking a break from your phone is so important. Leave the phone outside and focus on what is right in front of you.
72. Things will be hard, but you will get through it. Whether it is pushing through an especially difficult class, day or even week, all things will pass.
73. You have the power to change your day. A particularly bad five minutes should not determine your mood for the rest of the day and learning to look past these things is essential.
74. You will have off days, and that is okay.
75. I used to be so out of breath after only five minutes of a class. Cycle classes have increased my endurance, and it is now so much easier to get through the classes.
76. There is a huge difference between a 4- and 6-pound weight, which was something I completely did not expect.
77. Cycle has made me a more social person overall.
78. Showing up is the hardest part and it will only get easier from there.
79. Always be kind. Everyone in the room is fighting a battle that you may or may not be aware of; a kind gesture could be what makes their day.
80. When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.
81. I am such a routine-oriented person but with time I have learned that things don’t always go according to plan and that’s okay. 
82. Be kind to yourself!
83. Being one of the youngest people in the room can be incredibly humbling.
84. Connection fuels community. My home cycle studio has fostered such a tight knit community all through the connections the instructors and staff have made with each person that walks through the door.
85. It’s okay to be vulnerable.
86. Classes are a mix of fun and working hard.
87. Most classes are predictable in the sense that they follow the same structure and involve the same choreography. I have learned to find joy in the unpredictable and appreciate the variances in the classes. 
88. People introducing themselves to you makes a world of a difference and vice versa.
89. Early on, I formed a habit of looking down in class. As I gained more experience, I learned to always look ahead and I have applied this beyond cycle into my life as well. 
90. Own your journey.
91. Through cycle classes, I have learned that I love being sore. The feeling of waking up sore the next day is so rewarding and reminds me of the hard work I put in.
92. You get out of it what you put in.
93. Whether I had a long day or am feeling tired or sad, I have learned that cycle – and exercise in general – is such a mood booster and leaves me feeling like I have had a full reset. 
94. Your instructors’ words will completely change you for the better. 
95. Throughout the entirety of my experience and being surrounded by such bright individuals, cycle has made me a more optimistic person overall.
96. There have been days where I walk into class with my mind racing. Whether it is thinking about school or how many things I have to do, I have learned that, through cycle, all the thoughts eventually go away as soon as I start pedaling. 
97. Do what makes you proud.
98. I have doubted my abilities countless of times and was shocked when I accomplished things I never thought I would be able to. Through cycle, I have learned to have more trust in what I am capable of.
99. The greatest achievements often happen when you feel like giving up.
100. I am enough.

As I approach my 100th ride, I’m thankful that cycle has not only changed the way I view
working out but also taught me so much. Every time I walk into the studio, whether it’s 5:45 a.m.
or 6:45 p.m., I am instantly inspired and reminded of how far I’ve come. I am truly excited to see where the rest of this journey takes me.

Somehow, in the dark room surrounded by other people, I have felt a sense of support like no other. No one is looking at you, yet everyone is rooting for you.

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