The "Fly" of the Tiger!: Spin Class at Flywheel Fitness

Before you judge me and my fine choice of music, note that the last song we were spinning to was "Eye of the Tiger" and the title of this blog popped into my head. I am brilliant!

Okay, back up.

I was being nosy on twitter last week when I noticed Jessica from the blog Fit Chick in the City twittering about Flywheel. "What's a Flywheel?", I wondered, and butted in on her twittersation. Jessica GRACIOUSLY invited me to a *free* spin class at Flywheel Sports at their Flatiron NYC location. I accepted, because momma didn't raise no fools.

Funny story- I haven't been to a spin class in three years. All I remember is my butt hurt. I was hoping that this would be a new and exciting foray into spinning for me. Plus, I have read many of Jessica's posts about spinning and she makes it sound so darn fun.

FLYWHEEL IS AWESOME!!! Cool looking. Very nice professional staff (with an Amazon model front desk clerk). Free spin shoe rental. Free locker. Free bottle of water. This place has the GOODS! Since I have never been to a spin class of this magnitude, the instructor Erica (who is THE BOMB.COM, by the way) helped me figure out proper seat and handlebar position and how to put my shoes in the pedals. I was locked in. There was no way to escape now.

The class is done practically in the dark- which is fine, because no one needs to look at me while I'm mouthing song lyrics and drowning in a pool of my own sweat. The sound system is awesome, and the bikes? THE BIKES. 1.) I didn't feel like I weighed a million pounds- those bikes are solidly implanted into the ground and 2.) They are so easy to adjust! The torque was easy to figure out because there is a lit screen that also shows your RPM. I am also happy to report that it is in the afternoon and my butt still is not sore. So, yay for me and my butt.

The classes are 45 minutes long and include light resistance training (while pedaling) in the middle and a nice stretch at the end. I loved Erica's motivation and enthusiasm. I also loved her music! Anyone who wants to play Justin Timberlake is a friend of mine.

Flywheel's classes are not expensive- just $30 for a single class- and you get so much for the money, it is totally worth it. I am so excited to make this place a part of my fitness regime!

Best part of the day: Getting to meet fellow fit bloggers Mari (Namaste Mari), Mo (Food Snob), Tracy (Go, Tracy, Go!), Maggie (Picky and Healthy), and of course Lauren (Gympressions) who I met at yoga with Bob Harper. Combined with meeting Jessica it was such a treat! Please click on their links, check them out, and add 'em to your blog roll!

Bob and Brita: My Magical Bob Harper Experience

If you had asked me yesterday morning if I was going to meet Bob Harper, Biggest Loser trainer extraordinaire, I would have said, "Sure. Maybe I'll walk past him on my way to the subway. This is New York, after all." What I would never have imagined is not only did I get to meet him, but he touched my feet.

Intrigued?

On the twitter yesterday, fellow fitness blogger Jacqueline aka Fitarella (check out her site here and her twitter here) asked if I was going to the Bob yoga class in the morning. Hmmm? What? Yes, please! With a couple a quick e-mails, I was confirmed for a car service (!) to pick me up at 6:15 AM for an early morning Bob yoga class sponsored by Brita. We all know Brita from the Biggest Loser ranch, and Bob is a big fan of not using disposable plastic water bottles.

When I arrived, I got to meet Jaqueline in person with her coach Jodi from Model Per4mance (check it out!) and fellow fitness blogger Gym Belle from Gympressions (you can meet her here!). It was almost like getting to go to Fitbloggin'. They are the cutest sweetest ladies! And so full of information. THANK YOU for the opportunity!

When Bob arrived at the New York Health and Racquetball Club on Park Avenue South, we all filed into the yoga class to see some awesome swag from the Brita folks! Of course a Brita pitcher and those green bottles like the ones shown on the Biggest Loser, but also a nifty canvas tote bag and yoga mat. HOLLER! Nothing is better than free cool stuff.

Bob hopped right into the yoga, and although it was only about 40 minutes, I did break a sweat! What a way to wake up! In table top pose we did a balance exercise where Bob pulled on my feet and then my hands. All I could think about was how I haven't had a pedicure in months. I hope he doesn't have a thing about feet. If so, I apologize profusely. We also went into a plie squat move where he pushed down on my legs until I was shaking like Jell-O. My own personal abuse from Bob!

After the workout, the bloggers and news people got to ask Bob questions about everything from exercising to his thoughts on Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution (he liked it!). I asked him how he got started on The Biggest Loser, and he told a great story about how he had come to LA from Tennessee in a little Toyota, started training out here for "celebrities" (his quotes, not mine) and was asked by NBC to audition for the show. he was skeptical at first, especially about the title, but after much research and a 6-week audition period, he landed the gig. And here he is nine seasons later.

I also want to point out that Bob is an EXCELLENT plugger. We always tease about this during our live tweetfest during #BL9, but Bob does it so seamlessly you don't even know it is happening! Here we are, talking about the importance of working out and hydration, and BAM! Brita plug. Hilarious. If he had pulled out Extra gum or some Ziplock baggies I might have wet myself.

After a quick photo op, I had breakfast with my new lady blogger friends. They are all so cool, I am totally jazzed to be in their company.

All in all, it was a magical day for this lady. I love my life!