L.A.’s New Flywheel is the Shiz
It’s #FitnessFriday folks! Get ready to get sweaty.
So, I know I’m like totally behind the times on this, but I just recently tried Flywheel for the first time.
It’s not like I hadn’t heard of it. I’m not that out of the loop, c’mon!
I’m just not the biggest fan of cycling, as you know. I’ve done Soul Cycle. I had a brief love affair with Cyclelates. But lately, I’ve just been enjoying straight Pilates and bursts of Sweat Garage.
Flywheel recently took over my old stomping ground, Up Dog Yoga on Santa Monica and La Cienega. Celebrities like Katie Couric, Sofia Vergara, and Jillian Michaels are rumored to be fans.
If you’re a little behind like me, today I’m going to fill you in on what all the Flywheel hype is about. It’s pretty frickin cool, actually.
A couple of weeks ago, my co-worker Lauren and I were invited to a free ride at Flywheel, sponsored by Starbucks. Caffeine and adrenaline post-lunch, yes please!
I was a little nervous as we had just indulged in Chipotle, and although I got my tortilla on the side and swore up and down I wouldn’t eat it, it magically disappeared from my plate.
The bikes at Flywheel are different than any I have tried before. They seem to be smoother, and instead of turning a crank to up the intensity, you use an electronic device attached to the bike to precisely adjust your level of resistance.
It also calculates how fast you’re going and your overall speed/intensity for the entire 45 or 60 minute ride. Pretty cool.
While almost all cycling classes keep it fun by playing heart-pumping hits, Flywheel adds another element to take your mind off the monotonous pedaling, a competition. Each bike is numbered and your “score” in the “race” is continually shown on a TV above the instructor.
So you can see how you’re ranking compared to your bike-mates and pump a little harder when your drive to be the best kicks in.
While Lauren and I weren’t the best in the class, we also weren’t the worst. We were pretty close to the bottom but we hung in there, burrito remnants churning and all.
Toward the end of the ride, they incorporated arm exercises with a 4 lb body bar.
It doesn’t sound like much, but when you’re that exhausted, it is.
All in all, it was just as good of a workout as Soul Cycle, but a little more fun.
And I checked their website and every once in a while, they have a Grease singalong ride. If anyone finds out the next time they’re doing that, let me know. I’m all over it.
Post-workout, Lauren and I refueled on Starbucks new Orange Valencia Refresher drinks. So tasty and only 60 calories. They’re made of green coffee beans, great for anyone who wants caffeine but has a hard time with coffee (sometimes it burns my stomach).
Thanks to Starbucks and Flywheel for the awesome event and for introducing me to this fab workout.
Click here to find a Flywheel near you. They’re in a ton of different cities all across the country.
GiGi Eats Celebrities says:
Oh my…… This post just reminds me of that time… We went deaf in a cycle class. LOL!
Whitney English says:
Haha yes, the CycleHouse nightmare! This place is so much better. And they give you earplugs if you need them!
Elle@thewaybyelle.blogspot.com says:
I like long challenges, like the lazyman triathlon or # of min to exercise in a month. I don’t care for group exercise. I would rather put my ipod on and go on my own. :)
Whitney English says:
That’s great that you’re self-motivated! And I like the idea of trying to workout a certain number of minutes per month. How many do you usually aim for?
Katy says:
I LOVE Flywheel! I’m super competitive, so the board really motivates me to move. My fav spin class is still Soul Cycle…can’t resist a good dance party :)
Whitney English says:
We’ll have to go take a class together! I’m a wimp but maybe you can motivate me :)
Katy says:
I somehow missed your reply?! Yes! We should absolutely take a class together.