In recent years, indoor cycling classes have become more popular than ever. There are indoor cycling studios popping up all over the country, offering courses for both beginners and advanced cyclists to cater to different expertise and fitness levels.

We all know that cycling brings a host of health benefits, including boosting your cardio health. Guidelines by the American College of Sports Medicine recommend 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise five days a week and this inspires many to hop on a bike because it can give them an intense workout in no time at all. But in addition to boosting your cardio health, there are plenty of unexpected benefits of cycling. Let’s take a look at a few of them:

It sharpens your focus
Ever have those days where you feel like you’re just moving around in a fog? If so, take a class! Cycling for fitness, like most physical activities, can easily sharpen your focus because it helps deliver more oxygen to the brain. When oxygen enters the brain, more brain cells form, which causes the brain to work more efficiently – you’ll experience a sharper memory, better problem-solving skills, higher concentration levels, and it’ll be easier to go about your day to day activities. The best part is that all of this can come with a simple 30-minute session.

It boosts your complexion
Any cardio workout, especially indoor cycling, can be beneficial as it can enhance your complexion to look younger. After you workout, you most likely will notice a flushed face, and that is a good thing. This means blood is pumping to your skin, which enhances collagen production and can prevent wrinkles from forming and can give you clear, radiant skin.

Strengthens your core
During your class your instructor will drive home the importance of good posture not just to make you comfortable during the class, but to strengthen your core. To ride efficiently, you’ll want a fully engaged core. After taking just a couple classes, you’ll notice your abs and obliques become more defined and stronger.

There are plenty of benefits of cycling, and some we didn’t even list here! If you’d like to learn more and experience these advantages for yourself, come on down and try out a class with us. Your body will thank you!

If you have never been to cycling classes, it can be a bit intimidating. In fact, many people who are going to their first class admit to having fallen victim to a number of the myths. In reality, indoor cycling classes are a great option for people from all walks of life that are looking for a good fitness class.

In order to help ease any fears or misconceptions you might have that are keeping you from that first class, we’re going to spend a little time busting up some of the most common myths you might have heard about cycling classes.

We hope you stick around for the ride.

1. Cycling Classes Are For Women
   One of the biggest lies we hear is that exercise classes are for women only. While it’s true that there is a slightly higher number of women in most cycling-based classes, there is also a slightly higher number of women in the world in general, so we think it’s pretty par for the course. The important thing to remember is that a great exercise class is as fun and good for men as it is for women.
2. Cycling Requires a Uniform
   It’s no myth that most people in class will likely be wearing cycling or exercise pants, but that doesn’t mean you have to conform. As long as you’re wearing tightly fitted pants that won’t snag in the cycling equipment, you should feel free to wear whatever makes you most comfortable.
3. It’s Too Easy
   As you may have heard, exercise bikes are a very low impact form of cardio. But don’t let that fool you! Cycling is hardly easy. With a mix of interval and elevation training, the best cycling classes are meant to help you shed weight, get sweaty, and stay in the very best shape. If you’re still not convinced, come in and try it, then tell us about how easy it is.
   High Intensity Exercise Class Isn’t for Shy People
   Exercise classes of any kind can be intimidating for people with anxiety or people who are shy. Fortunately, cycling isn’t like your typical group exercise class. The supportive atmosphere and positive environment of the right exercise studio makes it the perfect place for you to get your feet wet.
4. It’s Too Tiring
   It can be hard to find time to fit exercise in, especially if you work at a demanding job. But while you might think that cycling will leave you drained, cycling three times a week has been shown to stimulate dopamine production and increase energy levels by 20%! What’s more, it can reduce fatigue by an estimated 65%!

Whether you are new to indoor cycling, or have been riding hard for years, everyone is welcome at a StarCycle studio- let’s ride!