{"id":5980,"date":"2023-07-19T08:00:40","date_gmt":"2023-07-19T12:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/?p=5980"},"modified":"2023-07-18T15:59:30","modified_gmt":"2023-07-18T19:59:30","slug":"my-current-fitness-favorites","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/2023\/07\/19\/my-current-fitness-favorites\/","title":{"rendered":"My Current Fitness Favorites"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Listen to Tara’s blog here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Two years ago, as I was getting ready to go on a run around my neighborhood, one of my good friends dragged me along to one of her group workout classes. She convinced me to try something new and step out of my comfort zone. <\/span><\/p>\n

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So, Allison, if you are reading this post, thank you for encouraging me to push myself, have fun, and feel good. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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If you are someone who is looking for inspiration to try something new, like joining a fitness club, or want to know more about group exercise classes, read along as I tell you about some of my favorite places to feel good while working out when I am not at URI of course! <\/span><\/p>\n

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CycleBar<\/b><\/p>\n

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As one of the places I call my happy place, CycleBar has transformed me as an individual, both physically and mentally. Two years ago, I had never taken a group exercise class. Now, at <\/span><\/p>\n

almost 150 rides later, CycleBar makes me enjoy working out, makes me meet new people, and makes me feel good in my own skin. <\/span><\/p>\n

I remember the day when my friend Allison and I walked into the red, white, and black studio. I was immediately transformed into another world as the music was blasting through closed doors that read \u201cGet ready to rock your ride.\u201d On a locker in the corner of the room, I remember seeing my name written on a locker with a huge welcome sign. <\/span><\/p>\n

At this point, I remember thinking to myself, \u201cWhat have I gotten myself into.\u201d But, when one of the instructors for class, Nikki, opened the doors to the studio, my worries slipped away as the m<\/span>usic got even louder and LED lights were flashing. <\/span><\/p>\n

I got on my bike for the first time, was encouraged by others around me, pedaled to the music, and found myself in a happy place. <\/span><\/p>\n

For those of you who do not know what CycleBar is and have been waiting for me to explain, let me paint you a picture. It is a group spin class that takes place in a dark room, usually with the air conditioner blasting. Sometimes there are thirty people, sometimes there are only ten. Sometimes there are themes to the rides, like 2010\u2019s hits or Rhianna vs Beyonce. As a group, we ride our bikes to the beat of the music and are encouraged by our instructors. <\/span><\/p>\n

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It is a high-intensity workout where for 45 minutes, you dance on the bike to your favorite songs. One of my favorite parts of the workout is during a \u201cconnect\u201d song. This is when the instructor turns the lights off completely and you are left in the dark with your own breath. At this moment, you are welcome to do what is right for you: sit in the saddle, stand up, slow down, speed up. It is a moment to take for yourself, just three minutes out of your day. <\/span><\/p>\n

What makes these connect rides and the songs selected for these rides so special are the words the instructors share with the class throughout the song. Through their microphone, they say words and phrases like:  <\/span><\/p>\n