7 Things To Know Before Your First Indoor Cycling Class

Go ahead and choose a spot that makes you feel most comfortable. Newbies shouldn’t be afraid of the front row. In fact, sitting in the front gives you a better view of how the instructor is moving and may also motivate you to work harder.

We also have tiered seating, so people who sit in the back get a 360-degree view of other riders , which can be a good strategy to take it all in. Either way, showing up a little early so that you can pick your seat is a great way to take control of your ride before it starts.

Throw on a moisture-wicking shirt or tank top to stay cool. Three-quarter-length tights are also a good choice—avoid shorts or baggy sweats—or go for comfort with padded bike shorts. “While they’re not the most attractive, they are super effective, especially if you happen to be particularly sensitive,” Roaman says.

When it comes to kicks, our bikes have pedals made for special clip-in bike shoes. You can purchase a pair of these at several locations in the Wenatchee Valley. If you don’t have a pair or don’t wish to purchase a pair, no worries, any type of running or athletic shoe works fine and can be strapped into the pedals.

Just a few small adjustments to your bike can make all the difference in your ride. A simple trick to determine the best seat height: Stand next to your bike and bring the seat to hip height. Then, once you’re on the bike, your leg should be bent at a 25- to 30-degree angle at the bottom of the pedal stroke. When you pedal, your knees should be aligned over your toes (as if you were in a squat).

To find the right distance between the seat and the handlebars, place your elbow at the tip of the seat and adjust the seat forward or backward so that your fingertips just touch the back of the handlebars. (Basically, your forearm should just fit between the seat and handlebars.)

Finally, adjust the handlebar height so it feels comfortable.The lower the handlebars, the more strain you put on your lower back, so if you have back, neck, or shoulder pain, make it a little higher and scoot the seat forward.

Despite the intense, sweaty workout in between, clipping into and out of the bike can be the hardest part of a cycling class. If you’re in regular sneakers, place the ball of your foot in the cage directly in the middle of the pedal, making sure not to shove your toes all the way to the front of the cages.

If you are wearing cycling shoes, clip in one foot at a time: Tilt your toes at a downward angle on top of the pedal and then push your foot down until you feel the shoe lock in. “It’s the same motion as clipping into skis,” Makely explains.

When you’re finished, stay seated on the bike and take one pedal to the bottom of the stroke at a time. Use some force turn your ankle away from the bike until each shoe unclips. If you can’t unclip while wearing the shoes, don’t panic! Just take your feet out of the shoes. After enough classes, you’ll get the hang of it.

Unlike a road bike, indoor cycling bikes don’t have gears. Instead, a resistance knob controls how hard the muscles need to work to increase revolutions per minute (RPM), which is the typical measure of cadence, or how fast you’re going. Think about resistance as a road: If you were riding outside and going up a hill, that hill is your resistance.

During class, the instructor gives you resistance numbers to match or tell you if you should feel like you’re slowly climbing up a hill or riding faster on flat road. Increasing or decreasing your resistance knob will help you get to the right place. We provide technology on the bike that tells you exactly what level resistance you’re riding at.

While everyone should adjust the resistance according to his or her comfort level, we suggest staying within a two-point range of what the instructor suggests. But if it feels like your lungs are going to explode or your legs are as heavy as lead, feel free to take it down a notch.

“Most beginners focus way too much on pushing down,” Roaman says. “But the upstroke is really what provides all the power.” Concentrating on pulling up with each pedal stroke will increase momentum and make it easier to increase RPMs. And here’s a bonus for clip-in shoes: When you’re actually clipped into the bike, you can focus less on keeping your feet in place and more on your stroke, Roaman says.

And don’t forget about your core: While seated or hovering over the saddle, use your abs as much as possible to help support your lower back. Try to keep your back straight (it’s OK if there’s a slight curve when you’re out of the saddle).

Walking into your first cycling class can be intimidating—especially when it seems like everyone around you is already a pro. But once the lights turn down, the music turns up, and the class starts, remember it’s all about you. The riders around you are focused on themselves.

That’s the beauty of indoor cycling: No one is going to bother you. Indoor cycling classes directly connect the rhythm of the music with the pace of the exercise, so if it becomes too much, just close your eyes, pedal, and get lost in the music. Choose a class and an instructor that plays music you enjoy—and remember to embrace the beat!

• We provide complimentary sweat towels. Lay the towel over the handlebars—your sweaty self is going to want it 10 minutes into class.
• Eat a pre-workout snack about 90 minutes before the class. This will give you energy for the class, but will also give your body enough time to digest.
• Keep drinking water—before, during, and after! For a 40-minute class, your body will need at least 40 ounces of water after.