Pedal Off The Beaten Path of Indoor Cycling With REALRYDER

If you head to the Santa Monica Airport these days, you'll discover an innovative fitness concept taking flight. Introducing RealRyder, a revolutionary indoor bike that simulates biking on the real road. With a unique mobile frame that enables you to pedal, steer and lean from side to side, RealRyder propels the usual stationary cycling workout into a first-of-its-kind FULL body training session for your legs, upper body, trunk and balance awareness.

If the airport location sounds a bit quirky (that's home to the RealRyder showroom), it's actually the perfect launch pad for a fresh idea like this. Pedaling from the cockpit of my RealRyder bike, I quickly caught on to the new (or perhaps old?) sensation... Handle bars that move if you don't maintain control... a fluid console that goes with your body as you lean left to right... Wait, this feels familiar.

Between our motivating instructor, cool tunes guiding our ride and competitive cyclist and RealRyder co-founder Colin Irving (pictured above) looking on, there was something special in the air. No, it wasn't a wave of plane exhaust rolling through the room. Rather, it was a feeling that something truly remarkable was taking shape. Join other in-the-know LA fitness enthusiasts who are raving about "getting real" every Tuesday night and you'll see what I mean.

RealRyder Showroom Address: 3200 Airport Avenue, Unit 21, Santa Monica, CA 90405: www.realryder.com

What I love:

• Classes are FREE, but you must sign-up in advance. Link to sign-up via FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=96084692365&ref=ts
• It's easy, but does take some adjusting to, which means it's sparking change in your body.
• What an ultra-smooth ride!
• Easy to lock in my SPD clips OR cages are available if you don't have cycling shoes.
• Takes indoor cycling up a big notch by recruiting stabilizer muscles in your core, upper body and legs the entire time.
• Water is FREE. Towels are provided.
• Ample parking that's also FREE.
• I got a FREE hip t-shirt that actually fits!! (versus the usual XXL that turns into PJs)

Things that make you go hmmm...

• The room is warm (no AC), which isn't a complaint, but more of a heads up to ensure you dress appropriately and stay extra hydrated.
• All the freebies won't last, folks. If you want to get real on a regular basis, you need to become a squeaky wheel at your gym starting NOW.

Come Fly With Me… Come Fly, Fly Awayyyyy

A few days ago, I headed to the new Reebok studio on La Brea and 3^rd to check out the new Reebok/Cirque du Soleil workout. It’s called Jukari Fit to Fly and this innovative workout will send your mind soaring to the land of where-does-this-fit-into-my-weekly-workout-regimen? But that’s OK. Bring on the creativity.

Picture a brightly lit, modern studio with sleek hardwood flooring bordered by long, flowing white drapery. Several trapeze-type straps (aka: FlySets) hang from the ceiling in the center of the room. As the eclectic music piped in, I wasn’t sure what to fully expect, but I was eager to hang from the proverbial rafters. I mean how hard could it be to perform like those Cirque du Soleil people? I’ll just suspend myself upside down… then dismount onto on my hands… legs in full scorpion and then, I don’t know… simultaneously take a bite of an apple? 

Maybe I should warm up first….

After a graceful introduction, instructor Ilyse Baker proceeded to take us through a one-hour workout that combined cardio intervals, full body strength movements, balance and core stability training. As you might guess, the truly exhilarating part is when you run and leap through the air like a dancer holding onto the FlySet for dear life.  “YOU ARE NOT GOING TO HIT ANYTHING,” said the lovely, talented (and patient) Ms. Baker a few times. I took the hint to chill out, trust and play like a kid again. It worked.

The Net-Net: According to Reebok, Jukari Fit to Fly is meant to “put the fun back into women’s fitness.” True dat. It was fun. I would also add that if you want to NEVER ask for assistance opening a pickle jar again, this class is for you. After holding onto the FlySet for just a few minutes, I became keenly aware of how weak my hands and forearms are!  Who knew? Once again we learn that you can never strengthen your weak points -- or even know what your weak points are -- if you don’t try new things in life.

LEAST FAVES...

In order to fit this into my current workout mix, I’d like to see:

*A class designed for strength, core and balance training-only.

*A class designed around cardio-dance and suspension movements with a routine you perform at the end (Ilyse to the rescue!).

*$20 per class… Really? A bit steep for securing those early adopters in a down economy (although the first class is free and apparently, package rates are available). 

MY FIT TO FLY FAVES…

*Two days later… get ready for some DOMS, baby! You will feel it deep in your triceps, shoulders and lats like never before.

*Standing and floor exercises using your own body weight (some really great core work).

*Jumping and spinning movements as you suspend from the FlySet… weeeeee!

*Music is cool and colorful.

*World-class instruction from dance/performance-pro Ilyse Baker, who articulates everything you need to know while putting you at ease (don’t worry…she’s got your back)!

Try a class and tell me what you think: www.reebok.com/schedule