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.
- 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. - 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. - 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
