Taking your first StarCycle class? Indoor cycling workouts have become increasingly popular in recent years, yet a lot of people (across all age groups and fitness experience levels) are a bit intimidated to try them. If you’ve finally decided to take the leap and sign up for your first indoor cycling class with StarCycle, you might be nervous. But fear not, we’ve got your back with some tips to help you crush your first class.

FUEL UP + HYDRATE
Our signature indoor cycling workout is going to leave you sweaty and empowered (in our studios, sweat is a badge of honor). That’s one of the things our members love most about us! To prep for your first ride, you need to fuel your body in the right way. Set yourself up for a successful class by eating and hydrating properly before you get there. Drink plenty of water beforehand and bring a large, refillable bottle with you so you can hydrate during and after class.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO SIT UP FRONT
Try to arrive to class with 5-10 minutes or so to choose a bike and adjust it to your specifications. And don’t worry, your instructor is there to help to get everything set up perfectly. It might feel overwhelming to pick a spot up front for your first class, but as a new rider, this is actually the best way to become acclimated. From this view, you can see exactly what your instructor is doing and catch on much more quickly, rather than feeling lost in the crowd.

GEAR UP
Worried about what to wear? As a basic rule, dress for performance. Wear a tank top or a moisture-wicking shirt for temperature control. Something more fitted like leggings are much better than sweatpants or anything loose. At StarCycle, our bikes are compatible with Look Delta cleats; you’re welcome to bring your own, or you can rent them at the studio for $2 per class.

KNOW THE LINGO
Indoor cycling jargon can be a lot to take in at first. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with some of the lingo you might hear in class ahead of time. Your instructor will definitely mention resistance knob, which you can control with the resistance knob on your bike. This control determines how hard your muscles will have to work to increase your revolutions per minute. You’ll have to match these numbers in class by increasing or decreasing the knob. You should also know what a “tap back” is before you go to class. This refers to when a rider raises themselves out of the saddle and then returns almost to the seated position before repeating the process again. It’s an exercise that strengthens the core, quads, and glutes and will probably be used in your first class. StarCycle is a total body workout, so get ready to use all major muscle groups on your first ride!

RIDE FOR YOURSELF
At StarCycle, your first ride, and every ride, is about you. The lights are down, the music is up, and you will be able to hone in on the movement in your body. Your first class might be a lot for you to take in, and that’s okay. Between the physically taxing indoor cycling workout, the music, the full body movements, and all of the new things to learned, you might feel overwhelmed. Remember that it’s okay to take a minute to slow down – you’ve got this! And you should definitely remember to breathe. Above all else, listen to your breath and to your body. By keeping your breath constant, you’ll allow your muscles to work the way they should and reap the mindful benefit of the StarCycle workout.

Some of our studios even offer a StarBasics workshop to help out new riders get acquainted with the bike and our signature format – check your local studio for more information. We hope these tips help to make your first indoor cycling workout a lot more fun and a lot less daunting.