• You may or may not know,  as well as a personal trainer and weight management coach I am a spinning instructor.

Years ago my sister dragged me to a spinning class. I was terrified and intimidated – but I sucked it up and went anyway. What happened in the 45 minutes that followed was amazing and I immediately fell in love with spinning. The music, the atmosphere, the sweat – I was hooked!

Coming from someone who was once afraid of it, I can totally understand why so many shy away. Yes, it can look intense as you walk by a spinning class and everyone is dripping with sweat and the teaching is yelling to go faster and harder. But here is the secret with spinning that you won’t know until you get on a bike. YOU have complete control over your bike. There is a little resistance nob below your handle bar that you tighten as you see fit. No one walks around and tightens it for you. You’re in a room with 20 or 30 other people all there to get a great workout. No one is watching you or judging you. Trust me- everyone is too busy working.

• A spinning room is free of judgment and expectations. You walk in there and give it whatever you have in you for 45 minutes. You don’t have to be coordinated or worry about learning some crazy routine. You just have to pedal.

I especially loved it when I first started because even if I didn’t feel like going to class, as long as I could summon enough energy to get to the studio and get on my bike, once I was strapped in, I kinda had no choice but to be there for 45 minutes. And once I was there for 45 minutes, I might as well give it everything I had in me! And that was always o.k because after the first 2 songs your really into it, and your singing in your head and you having a great time soaking up the energy of the room. And the time flies by!

• Next time you walk by a class or have an opportunity to take one, try it! And don’t worry about what everyone else is doing. Just ride your bike. Play with the resistance nob to get a feel for it. You can stay in your seat the whole time and you will still get and amazing workout. I always say in my classes that it’s your ride. You make it as challenging as you want it to be. Give it at try! The only person you have to report to on that bike is you. No one else matters.