Core Ryder

While I’ve tried a variety of workouts, I’ve never had a chance to go to a spin class. I took the package deal they offered on groupon as a golden opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and try something new. Suffice to say, I went to one class and never looked back. Sure, the studio is so new it’s practically sparkling and they had brand new bikes. Oh and despite the amount of sweat produced inside it actually smelled good too! Additionally, the schedules aren’t bad and signup is easy on the website. Regardless of this there were two thorns that stuck in my behind, the style of instruction and the type of bikes they used.
Style of instruction:
I knew something was off kilter from the minute I turned the corner to the studio. I was early and what I heard was an enraged voice yelling, possibly someone engaged in a fight. I slowly approached the studio and realized it was just the instructor with the class before mine. Um. Wow.
The class started out fine. Our instructor adjusted my bike for me, showed me the basics and started playing some tunes. Within 3 minutes he turned from calm and encouraging to loud and intimidating like a drill sergeant. In fact, he makes Gunny from full metal jacket look like snuggles the bear. He had an infinite amount of energy and was yelling, making hand motions and stomping around the entire time. He’d get really into it and yell things like «THIS IS YOUR RIDE ! GO FOR IT. INCREASE THE RESISTANCE — CLIMB THAT HILL. COME ON!!!» then go up to you, breathing hard, making hand motions to go faster. He’d exclaim «CAN YOU FEEL IT? CAN YOU FEEL THE BURN?!» while jumping on his bike going 40mph in front of us. It was… intense. I was struggling to keep up and it didn’t go unnoticed. The class was really small with 3 people in it so all attention is on you if your messing up or going slow. The craziness continued on the entire time. I didn’t particularly enjoy this style of motivation (all I need is some music with a high bpm) and I did have a challenging time on the bikes, which leads me to my next issue.
The Realryder bikes:
Core Ryder stands out from the rest of the spin studios with it’s RealRyder bikes. Unlike stationary bikes, they can be shifted to either side by some strong leaning and are completely stabilized by you. By leaning into them in either direction you’re working your core and theoretically burning more calories. It’s supposed to replicate a «real» bike riding experience. The only thing this bike did was cause me frustration. I realize it was my first time but I had a ridiculous amount of trouble holding down one side of it. The instructor would command us to lean to the right and I cold hold it slightly to the right for until I started spinning faster. It became harder to hold at that point. He’d notice I wasn’t holding to the right, would tell me to do so again, causing me to start getting frustrated. In addition, the seats are NOT comfortable on these. I know, you’re not supposed to be sitting much during a spin class but in addition to being a little oval rock seats they became painful. I would constantly catch my inner thigh on the side of the seat while leaning to one side or moving around. Due to the constant pressure and rubbing it became difficult and painful to lean the bike after 30 minutes of «the ride». If it was had for me, I can’t imagine what it would be like for a guy.
When the class ended, the instructor chatted with us a bit and seemed like a genuinely nice guy. I explained that I had trouble with the bikes and he told me I’d get the hang of it… eventually. Regardless, I couldn’t bring myself to go back here. I hurt for days after the workout (I walked out bow legged) and it wasn’t even the GOOD type of post workout soreness. Unless you’ve used the real ryder bikes, like being yelled at AND are in amazing shape, proceed with caution to Core Ryder.