One of the best things about teaching at MINT is the studio. There is plenty of light and plenty of space to walk around between bikes, so it’s easy for an instructor to quickly identify and address a problem. But there still things that can freak us out.

1. Your long, untied, dangly shoelaces.
   No joke, I just rescued a rider last week whose shoelaces came untied during class and wrapped around the pedal crank. Luckily the rider wasn’t harmed, and the laces weren’t tangled up so tightly that we had to cut the laces to free her foot. Keep those laces tied, or better yet, buy some clip in shoes.
2. All. The. Bouncing.
   If you remember your first spin class, you know what I mean. Bouncing up and down on the saddle when the resistance is too low and your cadence is too high. Bouncing side to side to the music out of the saddle so hard you feel like you might tip over on your bike. Bouncing forward with so much energy that you nearly go over your handlebars. Add resistance. Stay in control. There should be natural movement in your body. Fight that bounce.
3. That empty space where your water bottle should be.
   You may feel well hydrated, MINT has fans and in-studio units that help keep us cool and dry, but you may need that water. Your morning coffee might leave you feeling a little dehydrated, the studio can get steamy, or maybe an extra-long hill climb will leave you feeling extra thirsty. You can always leave to grab a sip of water, but it’s just easier to have that water bottle right there when you need it.

I bet you assumed that leaving early freaks us out. It depends.

If you know you have to leave early to get to your next appointment on time, or if you’re not feeling 100% but you still want ride, please just let us know. We know what it feels like to come back after a week with the flu, or the morning after The Big Game and all the chips and beer. Maybe pick a bike near the back of the room and give us a smile and wave as you leave so that your instructor knows that you are ok.

If you need to leave early because you are really not feeling well (weak, dizzy, dehydrated, nauseated), get off that bike and take care of yourself. The MINT team will be ready to get you the help you need.

You can Le Freak like Chic or Get UR Freak On like Missy, but don’t go freaking out your spin instructor.

By: MINT Cycle Instructor Nikki Mueller

Dance Fitness Day at MINT Dupont was a success.

Thank you to everyone who was able to come out 🙂

On Saturday, May 6 MINT is offering a MINT Marathon ride from 9:00am-10:30am. The first 45 minutes will be the regularly scheduled MINT Ride, and then the marathon crew will do another 45-minute endurance ride to get to 26.2 miles. Sound fun? Sound crazy? Sound like the challenge you’ve been looking for?

Here’s what to expect:

Before

• If you plan to marathon, be sure to register early for class.
• Wear your most comfortable, sweat-wicking clothes.
• Bike shoes and shorts are strongly recommended.
• Bring a water bottle AND a bottle of electrolytes.
• Get plenty of sleep and avoid any foods & beverages that may upset your stomach the next morning. Go ahead and carb load!
• Eat breakfast. Banana peanut butter toast the Breakfast of Champions.
• Arrive early to get your bike set up, monitor customized, PIQ activated.

During

• The ride will likely take 90 minutes total.
• The first 45 minutes of class will be a normal MINTRIDE class with surges, climbs, sprints, and intervals.
• In the second half of class, we will settle into a steady endurance pace.

Note to Self: You already do 12-16 miles in a normal 45-minute MINT Ride class. Another 10.2 miles won’t kill you, but it will be a serious challenge. Together, we can do this!

• We will have multiple instructors to coach, cheer, and help us all ride as one MINT Marathon team. Bring that positive energy!
• You may experience any pain in your feet, muscle cramping, chafing from your heart rate monitor strap, so try to plan ahead or prepare yourself to carefully and closely monitor your level of discomfort.
• You may absolutely get off the bike during the ride to use the restroom, change your socks, stretch out your legs.

After

• You will be an exhausted, sweaty mess. Pack clean comfortable clothes, fresh socks and/or your favorite flip-flops.
• Your muscles will be inflamed and sore. Please stretch, and consider foam rolling, taking a bath in Epsom salts, or taking an anti-inflammatory to help with pain and stiffness.
• Pack a snack. You’ll likely burn upwards of 1,000 calories. Snacks, snacks, snacks. And then maybe a big lunch and a nap!

Tempted? Have questions? Have a favorite song you want us to play, or a drill you really want to do? Come chat to Nikki on Saturdays or message me on Twitter @NikkiMueller!
By: MINT Cycle Instructor, Nikki Mueller

Class Package sale at MINT

Start off with a discounted class package
20 classes $420 $349 (save $71) Promo code: 20pack Get it >>
10 classes $230 $169 (save $61) Promo code: 10pack Get it >>

Purchase promotion expires April 22, 2017;limit 2 packages per person

We’re celebrating dance fitness all month here at MINT, and we’d love to introduce you to our newest class offerings! WERQ and PILOXING have joined Zumba and Doonya on the schedule, so now you can get down with us at MINT 7 days a week! And don’t worry if you think you have two left feet. Dance fitness is about having fun while you sweat, and all levels are always welcome!

Not sure what to try first? You can sample them all on Dance Fitness Day at MINT Dupont! On Sunday, April 23rd from 2:30 PM-5 PM we’ll be offering back-to-back mini classes so you can try a little of everything and meet our team of awesome instructors. This event is free and open to the public, so bring a friend and get ready to shake it! Space is limited and priority will be given to those who pre-register – check out the schedule and sign up here!

WERQ is the wildly addictive cardio dance class based on the hottest pop and hip hop music. The workout is nonstop with repetitive athletic moves and fresh dance steps, so you get the best sweat. WERQ Instructors build a playlist based on trendsetting pop and hip hop music. Each week a couple new routines are introduced, so you get to WERQ the routines you know and challenge yourself with ones you’re learning.

PILOXING uniquely blends two of the fitness industry’s most powerful and timeless disciplines of Pilates and Boxing, then adds a third element of dance into this high-energy interval workout. This dynamic program moves through heart-pumping, powerful boxing combinations to sculpting and lengthening Pilates-influenced movement to ‘let yourself GO’ dance releases, and back around again. Never have you enjoyed sweating so much!

Zumba is a dynamic and exciting fitness program based on Latin and international music and dance steps. With Zumba, the fun comes first and the physical benefits naturally follow. The routines feature aerobic interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body. It targets the glutes, legs, arms, abdominals, and the most important muscle in the body, the heart! It is a mixture of body sculpting movements and easy-to-follow dance steps.

Doonya is the Bollywood-inspired workout. Follow along to cardio and conditioning intervals of varying intensity, activating major muscle groups like the abs, arms, and legs. The energy and expressions of Bollywood-inspired music and dance will keep you smiling as you burn up to 800 calories, all while learning dance and fitness fundamentals. By using your own resistance and muscle control, you’ll leave with a stronger core, lengthened limbs and increased stamina to keep you invigorated for the rest of your day. Doonya is your happy workout!

POP Pilates® (coming to MINT in May) was developed by the #1 fitness instructor on YouTube, Cassey Ho of Blogilates. The combination of total body Pilates exercises with the attitude of choreographed dance and the energy of music, results in an intense workout that is FUN and effective. Students will be challenged to flow from one exercise to the next, developing a rock solid core, while leaving NO muscle untouched. Every exercise can be modified to fit your personal needs. You’ll leave feeling sweaty, strong and ready to take on more!

What members are saying:

“I cannot get enough of the WERQ class. Love the music and the moves and that some of the songs come back the next week, but there are always new ones too!”

“Piloxing was awesomeeeeeee. Chandra is so great – she was super fun and enthusiastic. Would highly recommend.”

“Loved Zumba with Nikki! Her upbeat attitude is infectious and very motivating!”

“I’ve gone to a couple Doonya classes and I love them! The instructor is energetic and fun. Good cardio and good way to keep moving for an hour.”

Register Here

Earn points, bring FREE guests, and win prizes!

How it works

• Receive one “point” (sticker, check mark) for gym check-in (not taking class)
• Receive one “point” for bringing a buddy (members can bring unlimited buddies, up to two at a time, during this 6-week period)
• Receive one “point” for taking a studio class
• This means you can earn up to 4 “points” per visit. Ex: If you come to the gym (1pt) with two non-member buddies (1pt/buddy) and you take a class (1pt) = 4 points
• Points will be combined across both clubs and tracked on challenge posters.
• There is no limit to how many buddies you can bring (limit to two at a time, as stated above), how many classes you can take or how many times you hit the gym.

Terms & Conditions

• Must be signed up by May 2nd in order to participate and be eligible for prizes and free buddy access.
• Limit two guests per visit.
• Guests must be registered at the front desk upon entry and must have an ID on file.
• Guests must be accompanied by a member. The member must stay on premise for the duration of the guest’s visit.
• Guests are subject to the same rules as members.