I’m joining up with the amazing DC Trifecta again to bring you the Friday Five things I love about Indoor Cycling (and a Yummy Quinoa Cakes recipe at the bottom)
“You walk into a room amid a sea of water bottles, bright colored spandex and a buzzing crowd of excited participants. You place your towel down, adjust your bike, hop on and take a deep breath. You give the person on the bike next to you a knowing nod. You’re in this together. You both know that you’re going to walk out of the room in less than an hour a stronger, healthier version of yourself. For the next 45 minutes, you have nothing else going on. No meetings, no text messages, no one needing to be picked up. It’s just you and a bike.
The room goes dark, the music starts. You start pedaling. Faster and faster. Your body becomes warm, a drop of sweat leaves your forehead. You feel your heart rate start to elevate. The tension in your mind starts to melt away.
You’re present. You’re in this. You’re ready” (ACSM Oct 2013)
1. Great Cross training for runners:
We all wish we could run every day but obviously most of us can’t. Cycling is a low impact, time efficient way to increase your leg endurance and strength. You’re working your quads, hamstrings and calves while being easy on the joints. You are building up muscle and increasing bone density.
2. Social- Anyone can do indoor cycling! It doesn’t matter what your fitness level is because you work at your own resistance and pace. You can be sitting right next to your bestie who smokes you at every race and you are going the pace today. It’s low impact and most importantly NOT WEATHER DEPENDENT!! Indoor cycling got me through some of those horrible Polar Vortex days because I hate the treadmill.
3. Sweaty Mess-How else can you burn 600-800 calories while sitting on your ass?! I love leaving class dripping in sweat and feeling great.
4. Cardio & Psychological benefits: you are getting 45-60 min of pure cardio thus increasing the strength of your heart and lung capacity. Your metabolism is increasing by the moment. The psychological benefit of endorphins rushing through your body is a great stress reliever.
5. Discover new music-I often hear new music or remixes that I go home and download. Part of the fun of class is getting lost in the music and singing in your head.
So those are 5 of the many reasons why I love Indoor cycling-What are your favorites?
As promised here is another one of my go to quinoa recipes. They are a great side dish or lunch. I also like to eat the left overs for breakfast with eggs. Hope you like them too.
- 1 c quinoa -cook according to package
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs (this gives them a crispy texture)
- 1 package fresh spinach
- 1 package mushrooms of choice
- 6oz goat cheese
- 1 egg
- garnish with avocado and salsa
- cook quinoa according to package
- At the same time, saute mushrooms and spinach until soft
- mix quinoa, veggies, egg, goat cheese and Panko in a med bowl
- Season with salt and pepper to your taste
- Divide mixture to form 6 patties (similar to a crab cake etc)
- Heat a grill pan or large skillet and coat with olive oil
- Pan fry the patties until they turn brown, flip and repeat
- Serve with avocado and salsa
Make sure to check out the posts by my fabulous hosts as well
Courtney from http://eatprayrundc.com/
Cynthia from http://www.yousignedupforwhat.com/
Mar from http://www.marontherun.com/
Thanks for stopping by! Happy Friday!
I have never tried cycling before. I really need to do it. And that recipe looks so you yummy!
Never? You have to try it! Let me know how it goes. And the quinoa is great and easy. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Have a great day!
I love all of the same things about spinning, I can’t wait to get to use my Revolve classes!
You will love it! Looking forward to the MRTT class
I love biking outside but have never actually tried spinning. I think you have me convinced to take a class!
oh yes you should! I love to bike outside as well but the weather around here doesn’t always allow it. In the winter, spinning is a great way to get it done. Thanks for stopping by!
Those are all the reasons I LOVE spinning too! I’ve been doing it for about 17 years! It’ll always be part of my routine 🙂
It is great isn’t it?! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Hope to see you again soon
I can see where this would be loads of fun. Can you believe my sister use to teach a cycling class and yet i’ve never gone to it?
Really!? You have to try it! They really are fun if you find a teacher you like. Thanks for stopping by & have a Happy Friday!
Couldn’t agree more with your reasons to love spinning!! SUCH a great workout – and fun too! The cakes look great!
thanks you should try them! Happy Friday!
What a cute blog layout! I’m stopping by from the Friday Five Link Up :). I love spinning classes, especially when there is a good instructor, good music, and good energy!
Thanks! just came from my class-awesome sweat. Thanks for stopping by and I will check out your post as well. Happy Friday!
Pinning this! looks so good!!
Thanks great! Let me know if you like it. Thanks for stopping by!
I also love spinning — it’s so fun and with a good instructor the classtime flies by!
It does! Have a great weekend!
I’m visiting from the Friday Five link up. I still have to try an indoor cycling class but you’ve made it sound so fun! And the recipe for the quinoa cakes looks great.
You should try it! Let me know if you do. The Friday Five is fun. I will check yours out too. Thanks for stopping by!
I love spinning for all of these reasons. Mostly the sweat and the music. 😉
The sweat is good! Thanks for stopping by & have great weekend!
I haven’t done spin class lately BUT it is a cardio strengthener and I need to revisit it because I know I must have gotten stronger.
I bet you are stronger-I’ve seen you post some of those crazy workouts you do. It is great cardio and fun to do with friends.
Thank you for putting the print option right there by the recipe. I just printed it and will try next week! As far as cycling, I LOVE LOVE LOVE it, for the reasons you mentioned above. I love a dark room and turning the music up. It’s such a different thrill than running. Not better, just different 🙂
Totally agree not better just different. We all need to cross train and it makes us better, stronger runners. Glad you like the recipe-I have lots more to come! Have a great day!
Sometimes I do the stationary bike at the gym because I agree, its a great change from running. As I have gotten older, I can not run as often, so I have looked for things to change up my routine. However, we do not have a spin class at y gym, so I have never tried one.
Quinoa recipe sounds great, going to try it, thanks !
ah too bad you don’t have one at your gym! You can download some cycle workouts to your ipod-not the same but fun too. I can’t run everyday either. my knees wouldn’t like it. Thanks for stopping by hope to see you again soon.
I tried your quinoa cakes. Loved them !
I’m so glad you liked them. Thanks for reporting back
Jinx! Totally agree about the polar vortex! I too HATE treadmills and spinning provided a lot of respite between those frigid outdoor runs!
I know this winter was brutal huh? Treadmills are so boring and anti social. Thanks for stopping by have a great weekend!
I love indoor cycling too but sadly don’t get to the class as often as I’d like. I am going to start committing to a crazy early weekday class at my gym so that I get it done early!
I’m not a crazy early person who exercises but you have to do what you have to do right? I usually only go once a week but I really like it.
Potato cakes are one of my all time favorites! I wonder if your cakes would taste similar?
They really are good and I ate the leftovers with an omelet the next day-great breakfast. Let me know if you try them out.
Hello Brooks,
I fully agree with you. We got lot’s of benefits when we start exercising. But Indoor spinning is my favourite. I can create my self-controlled environment on my home. That’s the main big reason why I always suggest my buddies to start this indoor cycling. Btw how the mushroom Quinoa Cakes taste, I have noted some other recipe from your blog. You are really doing great and own a beautiful blog. Mother always rocks 😉
so glad you liked them! They do make a great breakfast. Have a great day!