A couple of weeks ago, me and my friend booked in for our complimentary class at 1Rebel and instead of choosing Rebel Reshape – treadmill sprints and intense exercises – we chose to do the spin class. But before I get to the class, the changing rooms are amazing! Huge, brass looking lockers and a chilled towel box for afterwards (which was definitely needed!). I guess it’s their way of being super nice and comforting before you start a class.
Also, I’ve never worn actual spin shoes, but everyone who signs up to do Rebel Ride gets a pair – you simply swap your trainers/shoes for your size and so on the bike can click in without thinking your foot is going to slide out the back! It actually made me so excited, as we made our way into the studio, sat at our designated bikes (you’d think it was a flight or a trip to the cinema!), clicked in and set up.
The class lasted 45 minutes and was actually incredible, well, as incredible a spin class can get. The studio was huge, with probably 100 bikes, and dark, so you’re not staring at other people’s exhausted faces or worrying they can see your sweat dripping on the floor… Instead, you focus on the loud, upbeat music and keep up with the instructors moves. And as hellish sprinting is, neon flashing lights appear all over the ceiling, giving you energy to keep going and dance under the colours!
Plus, one track is dedicated to your upper body using weights. Although challenging, the focus is shifted from your legs, which now are moving at an easy pace, to do shoulder presses, tricep dips, lateral raises; exercises to work your arm muscles too. So after the class finishes, you genuinely feel like you’ve had a whole body workout, rather than just making your legs feel like jelly! Other than that, you probably know the drill: hills, sprints, slow leg turns, standing sprints, etc. But to good music and with an enthusiastic, chatty, motivating instructor, the 45 minutes ‘spun’ by and you know you worked hard for the full amount of time! And if you sign up for one of their lunch time classes, you get food included afterwards by Roots & Bulbs, which would definitely power me through! I wish I lived closer for a regular workout but I know I’ll be returning at least one more time, to tackle their Reshape class…
(Bit like a ‘been there got the bottle’ moment).
Syrup & Spice 