My name is Meagan and I’ve been coming to Spinunity for almost 3 years now and have probably racked up close to 200 rides. For those of you that don’t know me, here is a few things about me:

-         Home life includes my fiancé Greg (getting married in September!), our adorable ragdoll kitten Oscar, and our pet axolotl Dave Grohl (strange pet I know, Greg just showed up at home with him one day and we went with it).

-         The mountains are my happy place. In the summer there is almost no where I would rather be than hiking, climbing, backpacking or camping

-         I love good food and good wine. They are two things that I will never be able to give up (and why I will never have visible abs)

-         I am a scientist, not a blogger or a writer.. so bear with me here 

So what’s my story on how I ended up at Spinunity?

After I graduated university I landed pretty close to my dream job working as a Water Quality Specialist for Environment Canada doing work on Northern mining sites. The highlight of my job is that every now and then I get to travel to remote areas of the world that most people will never get a chance to see. I have walked on the Arctic Ocean, visited fly-in mining operations in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and spent time north of the Arctic Circle within Canada. Unfortunately, 90% of my job involves sitting at a desk reviewing documents. After a year at a desk job instead of running around campus from class to class I started to notice a change in my body and energy levels. Until this point in my life I could eat what I wanted, drink whatever I wanted, not work out, and not worry about my body, so I had a bit of a rude awakening. Given that I am not one to give up good food or good wine, I knew that I needed to find something to combat my sedentary day job. Queue Spinunity.

Let me start with the fact that I have NEVER been an athlete in the traditional sense in my adult life. I danced and played soccer when I was younger, but all that stopped over 10 years ago. When I came to Spinunity back in August of 2014 it was my first spin class, first exercise class, and first time in any kind of gym environment. It started as something for my Mom and I to do together. I dragged my Mom to a class with the excuse that it was “a good way for us to spend time together” but mostly it was because I was intimidated by a fitness environment. I remember in the first 15 minutes wondering why I had gotten myself into this. Then came the mix of “she must be joking that my watts should be that high”, “how can someone’s legs move that fast?” and “seriously! We are standing again!?” I thought all these riders were just glutton for punishment and couldn’t imagine how this was supposed to be the fun version of fitness. Needless to say eventually the pain and soreness subsided, I obviously came back, it eventually got easier, then I started to enjoy seeing how I could challenge myself in a class.

Prior to spin the only exercise that I did was attempting to run (not for these stubby legs) and home workouts, in addition to my non-traditional summer exercise of hiking and climbing (and even those loves have only developed within the last 5 years!). Spinunity was an important turning point for me as it was the beginning of my fitness journey. From being someone that did next to no physical activity to one that could not only endure a 60 minute spin class, but crush a 60 minute spin class. Here I was actually enjoying exercising and enjoying pushing myself to go that little bit faster, and that litter bit harder, and to add that extra ¼ turn. In creating the fitness drive I’ve become a much more active person (although the upcoming wedding is probably contributing as well). Outside of spin I do strength and resistance training 3-4 times a week and am enjoying that for the first time in my life I actually consider myself to be strong. I love meeting and beating those personal bests and testing out what my body can do.

I couldn’t have imagined when I walked through those doors 3 years ago that I would have actually found an exercise that worked for me and a community that I felt comfortable in. Like anyone I go through my fitness ups and downs but I always make it back onto the bike. To me, spin is a necessary de-stressing tool, a time to clear my head, and let all the problems of the day fade away. I’ve worked through a lot of issues on that bike! And although the classes are great the instructors and the community is another thing! The atmosphere is so motivational, empowering, and inclusive that no one feels left behind. Jordan and Jeff have put together a great team that all bring something unique to their classes and keep you coming back from more. Having gone through the instructor training myself I know exactly how much it takes to curate a well-balanced spin class and I give huge props to every one of those instructors for all the work they put into their classes to ensure that we all get the most out of our workout.

Thank you Spinunity!

All photos above provided by WeAreYEG.

#ridersforlife #spinunity #sweatstories

Click the links below:

10 class - http://spinunity.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=99e37a9cfde0237ca5c86f422&id=2cca60ca5b&e=4af644b8cb

20 class - http://spinunity.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=99e37a9cfde0237ca5c86f422&id=2270e458dc&e=4af644b8cb

#canada150 #spinunity #yegdeals

1.     My name: Shalon. Rhymes with (Jimmy) Fallon. I am named after a scientist alien. Seriously. Stephanie Powers played an alien who invented Bigfoot on the 1970s show The Six Million Dollar Man, and my mom liked the name. I think my parents set me up for life with that one.

2.     My fiancé, my fellow nerd, my rock, my player 1 and my partner of over 8 years.

3.     I have an undergrad and a masters degree in Physics; see point 1. I worked on a lot of cool nanotech stuff: fluorescent nanocrystals and optical micro sensors. Plus it is also where I met point 2. Now I work in technology commercialization and intellectual property (yay patents!).

4.     I very briefly held a provincial squat record under the Alberta Powerlifting Union at 140kg (308lbs) weighing 65kg (143lbs) and ranked in the top 20 of APU’s Open Women.

To summarize: I am a female, blonde, powerlifting physicist. Lot of stereotypes in that sentence 😉

Growing up, I was always active, mostly thanks to my family: soccer, volleyball, speed skating, sports camps, bike rides in the coulees of Medicine Hat and hiking on frequent camping trips. However, I always felt overshowed by my very athletically gifted older brother (former Canadian Short Track Speed Skating team member and 2012 World Champion in the relay) and so submersed myself in the world of academia. Moving to Edmonton in 2005 to start my University life, the first couple years I struggled to find my footing both in and out of school. I was an “adult” now but away from my family, friends and the town I knew. I had to figure out this “life” thing on my own and create my own identity.

Enter weightlifting and the next 10 years of my life. I was introduced to the sport of Olympic weightlifting in 2007. The concept of only training with weights for the sole purpose of lifting heavier weights was intriguing. Previously, I had dabbled in weights as a supplement to speed skating or volleyball training, but never as a full-time fitness endeavour. Here, I found my happy place: clean & jerks, snatches, front squats, good mornings, presses, deadlifts, and of course squats (my favourite). Plus, competing was so much fun! Lifting was all I did and I loved it. Cardio? Isn’t that just lifting weights faster for more reps? And sure as hell no more than 20 minutes?

I had a brief hiatus thanks to the life-sucking power of physics degrees - I still worked out, just sporadically and weightlifting requires consistency. I switched gears and entered my first powerlifting competition fall of 2013. Whereas weightlifting has two lifts (the snatch and the clean & jerk), powerlifting has three (squat, bench and deadlift) and you get three attempts at each lift. Walking into the meet, I was extremely nervous. I didn’t have a coach like I did for weightlifting, I didn’t know anyone or what to expect as I had trained on my own up to this point. Let me just say this, regardless of what meat-head or “bro” stereotypes you may have:  the powerlifting community is one of the most welcoming communities you can step into. No one cares how much you lift, how you look in a lifting singlet (they are awful and terribly uncomfortable), your age, weight class, what you do for work, etc. Everyone is there to support each other. I had people cheering me on who I had never met before and found myself cheering on my fellow competitors. I have met some amazing people through both powerlifting and weightlifting; I can be at the gym for 3-4 hours at a time and it’s mostly due to the people.

While my lifts may be impressive, they are nowhere near the top lifters in Alberta, let alone Canada. But they are my best lifts and that’s all that matters. I can proudly say I squat over double my bodyweight and can bench more than my bodyweight. So why compete if I’m not going to win? I say, why not? Competing is a thrill and so much fun! Meet days are some of the longest, but the atmosphere is just electrifying. I’m not looking to be the best in the world, just a way to motivate myself to keep active. I have friends who train and sign up for marathons/triathlons and this is something similar: instead of training to run a race and improve a personal time, I train to lift heavier weights.

Lifting also gives me a confidence that carries over into other aspects of my life. Being a female in a male dominated field (and just the field of physics in general) I sometimes suffer the anxiety of “Imposter Syndrome”. While most of the time I may seem like I have my shit together, I’m usually faking it (aren’t we all?) and doubt myself and my abilities. But going to the gym and picking up something heavy, I can just let it all go. There is something empowering about you, by yourself, on a platform with just a bar in front of you and you just need to lift it. There is no way to describe the feeling after a gruelling grind but you stand up holding the heaviest deadlift that you’ve ever done in your life; it just makes you feel like a bad-ass. It truly is my happy place.

Gearing up for nationals last year, my body was taking a beating. My SI joints were very unhappy and I was getting weekly treatment by yoga, physio, massage, acupuncture, active release, fascial stretch therapy, you name it. National championships were anti-climactic; it was definitely a great experience, but it was not my best performance. I managed to get a total, but was disappointed with myself. Everything I had worked the previous three years for didn’t pan out to what I wanted but I took it as a learning experience for myself and my future in this sport. I decided I needed a break and went back to Olympic weightlifting with my old coach. A new gym and back to my training roots was what I thought I needed to reset my focus and maybe gear up for nationals 2018 (to be held in Calgary!).

My body had other plans. The beating my SI joints took from the previous year came to a head May 2016. Back to rehab, researching SI dysfunction issues, trying everything and anything I could to get better. Every time it started to feel good and I began to rebuild: tweak. Back to square one. Repeat. I could barely bend over at the sink to wash my face without pain let alone hold a barbell on my back. The rest of 2016 was a bit of a gong show not only with my lack of lifting, but life in general. I was still eating like I was still training hard, but I wasn’t, and of course that resulted in weight gain. I kept going to the gym, mostly just for the atmosphere and people, but I was depressed with my lack-of squatting/lower body work (I miss squats). The stress of life at the time was starting to get to me. I had lost my happy place and my outlet. Cue more eating, more beer drinking and more weight gain. Enter more self-doubt and insecurities.  

The start of 2017 brought a new mindset: this was my year to reset. Not only because I’m getting married this year, but mostly because I’m turning the big 3-0. My fiancé’s sister, Simone, had kept bugging me about coming to spin – and if you know anything about Simone, she’s relentless. Once life settled down after a house purchase, I joined Spinunity at the beginning of March. I’m so glad my first class was a Sunday spin & yoga, because anything more than 30 minutes of spin and I would have been done. I’m pretty sure I tasted blood in my mouth that first class and my first words after were “I didn’t die”. But I kept going; only because I had purchased the month pass and when I commit to something, I commit. I enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and the new challenge. Plus, I really liked the all-too-familiar burning/DOMS feeling in my legs after 8+ months of limited lower body stuff (and back pain free!).  Every class for that first month was: just get through this song, just get through this next song…

Then something happened. There is a feeling I get when I lift: you are standing on the platform, have 100s of lbs on your back, your mind just goes blank and you forget where you are. Un-rack, breathe in, hold and lift; it’s just you and that bar and nothing else matters. I suddenly got that similar feeling at spin. It was brief at first, usually only happened during a familiar song where I could zone out, but slowly each class that feeling got longer and longer. It’s an addicting feeling that I kept craving after every class was over, which just made me want to come back the next day for more.

I love the community of Spinunity, the friendly faces when you walk in and the feeling that everyone around is secretly cheering each other on; it’s the same reason I fell in love with the powerlifting community. Bonus, if I request a song, it likely gets played and I try to never a miss a Rock N Heavy Tuesday! There is something about the loud music and the dark room that just gets you in a trance. I also love that the studio is all-in-one: I get my spin, yoga and a bit of strength sessions every week; it’s been amazing for rehab! Sure, some days are better than others, but spin can be as hard or as easy as you want to make it. My clothes are fitting better (my wedding dress is too big!), my big powerlifting quads still exist, I’m back to a good eating routine and definitely feeling stronger and more confident than I’ve felt in a while. At the point of writing this, I think I’m over 80 rides in only a few short months – more cardio than I have ever done in my entire adult life! Clearly, I am addicted (things I never thought I’d say about cardio).  I have found a new happy place.

One day I will redeem myself from the 2016 nationals and I continue to be involved in the powerlifting community by volunteering when I can.  But for now, I’ll keep spinning and enjoying that sweat life.

All photos above provided by WeAreYEG.

#ridersforlife #spinunity #sweatstories

Thank you Spinunity!

#spinunity #ridersforlife #yegfitness

Join Jillian Brittany Welsh this summer for our 1st Mommy & Me class!  

Every Tuesday at 10:30am & Thursday at 9:30am at our Sherwood Park studio enjoy a workout with your little one.  

Get the opportunity to bond, interact & show them how to lead a healthy lifestyle!  

Classes will be circuit style strength & functional movement focused while getting your little ones involved as much as they can.  *All ages welcome* sign up www.spinunity.ca/schedule

Spinunity Team

780-400-9228 or 780-668-3040

After a couple of years struggling with fertility issues, my husband and I had our daughter, and two years later, our son.  They're totally awesome, and the absolute joy of our lives (says every parent ever, right!).  But somewhere in there, in the midst of these wonderful babies, I got lost. 

I had always been so active, participating in everything from hot yoga to running to crossfit, you name it, I was into it. In fact, on our second date I dragged my husband to the gym to make sure he could hold his own!!  I loved feeling strong and fierce, and ready to take on any new challenge.  I was a beast and damn proud of it.  After the first baby, I lost the weight fairly easily but was like a duck out of water, redefining my new life as a parent and never really getting back into the activities that I had enjoyed for so long.  Toss in the next very lazy pregnancy (I think my son might actually be 10% McDonalds with all the mcnuggets I crushed), and before I knew it I was 8 weeks postpartum and a hot mess!  I knew I had to get on top of this, not just for aesthetics, but to find that confident woman I once was. 

So I hopped on google, searching places that had childminding and happened upon Spinunity (sherwood park).  I had done a few spin classes through World Health and they were fun so I figured I'd give it a go.  Being so out of shape at this point, I was a little intimidated, but as soon as I arrived all those insecurities were squashed - somehow, amongst an entire crew of fit, powerful people, there was an overwhelming sense of positivity, warmth, and inclusiveness.  I drove out to the SP location a handful of times, but didn't get hooked until the Windermere studio opened up and that's when I drank the Kool Aid and haven't looked back!  

I am approaching my 90th spin class this week, and instead of getting bored, I find myself more motivated than ever to get my booty on that bike and rock out to great tunes!  I remember one of my first classes, Haley I think, said that she spins because its cheaper than therapy, and she could't be more right - it doesn't matter how bad my day was, as soon as I start riding it all just fades away, and I go home sweaty, calm, and happy.  I don't know how Jordan and Jeff have found so many like-minded awesome people to teach classes, but each instructor, with their own flavour, motivates and encourages and always pushes you to give all that you can.

And where I am now?  It's been just over a year since that first spin class and I am no longer hiding behind baggy shirts and "I just had a baby" excuses.  Some days I pound out amazing rides, and others I can barely keep pace with all the pumps and dips, but each day I show up I'm investing in myself.  The cross training benefits have been pretty incredible too, after not running AT ALL for 3.5 years, I was able to increase my mileage to 10km in just a month with no injury (knock on wood!).  

I'm hoping to do a half marathon in September (Melissa's Road race, I'm a Melissa too, and yes I am that cheesy!), and a 30km next March back in my home town of Hamilton.  My professional life has undergone some change as well in such that I decided to stay home following my second maternity leave.  This has been a rather big decision for me as it was a choice I had never considered, but I'm excited to see what this new path has in store.  I feel that I am in a really healthy place in my life, and I attribute a lot of this to what Spinunity has given me in terms of confidence, strength, and a positive intention for each day.  And while I may not be able to say that I've got it all figured out yet, I can absolutely say that I am no longer lost.

All photos above provided by WeAreYEG.

#ridersforlife #spinunity #sweatstories

My sister in law suggested I try Spinunity, your first month is only $60 unlimited and there new location was going to open in Windermere so I got a pass and signed up. Not sure what to expect I emailed Jordan and just from her reply I knew this place was going to be different.

My first ride was the day they opened in Windermere and I still remember that first ride. After class I had a bunch of emotions and feelings of disbelief and happiness. I was crying, my butt hurt and I had a tomato face.  I couldn't believe I made it!! Once I settled down I wanted more, that energy!!! So I kept coming back.

Eventually my butt stopped hurting, my tomato face went away and I continue to get stronger every ride. The space they created is full of positive energy and after class i feel so pumped and ready to take on the day. I love being part of a team that wants to make each rider feel a part of the community and take the time to say hi and get to know you.  

and those towels... THE.BEST.EVER!!! Am I right!?

Look forward to meeting you and seeing you in class! 

My name is David Mouland and I live in Sherwood Park, AB. I've lived in a few cities in Alberta over the years before finally settling in the Edmonton area for the past 9 years. I spent the first 21 years of my life in rural Springdale, Newfoundland with stints in St. John's a couple of times as most Newfoundlanders do at some point in their lives. In October 2000, I moved to Calgary after finding a technology job in my field of work and decided to stay permanently in Alberta. 

Growing up in Newfoundland, I was never really the athletic type or athletic minded. I played sports growing up such as tennis, soccer and swimming, but never really enjoyed it. I always enjoyed being active when it wasn't really forced. I have fond memories of bike riding all around my town and playing softball with my friends either on the softball field or the makeshift old saw mill (it's always best to make your own fun in Newfoundland). No matter what, we always had fun and stayed out of trouble, which is what really matters. 

I remember playing ice hockey for a few years in elementary and junior high and I was even enrolled in a hockey summer camp where my inter-league coach was the NHL great Marc Crawford. I remember him pulling me aside on the bench one day and telling me that I played a great game. That made a lasting impression on me because that was the first time in my life I felt like I was good at a sport. It sounds silly but I was always the guy that never quite made the team or really excelled in sports, so this made me feel great.

Around that time in the early 90's I really got into music. When I was 15, I picked up the guitar and never looked back. I've played guitar pretty much every day of my life since then. I'm self taught on several instruments and I really found something in my life that I naturally felt comfortable with that really clicked. It was shortly after that day that I started to attend concerts and to this day I've seen over 1000 shows by every band and artists you can think of.

I was always a big kid growing up but throughout the last decade I allowed myself to gain a lot of weight and one day in June 2015, I stood on a scale and decided that I was no longer happy being 300lbs. I had to do something about it - fast.

First I took up walking daily and quickly lost 15lbs in no time. The feeling became addictive at that point, and for the first time in my life I actually enjoyed something fitness related. I quickly craved more and signed up for various fitness classes offered through my work at lunch hour. From there I gained respect from my coworkers and formed great relationships with them and other personal trainers. I received incredible fitness and nutritional advice from coworkers that still sticks with me today. At this point a foundation was laid down, but it was time to push forward. Fast forward to June 2017, I have maintained a 60lb weight loss and changed my clothes wardrobe 3 times. I feel healthy and focused everyday and I always say "I'll eat air before I allow myself to go back".

In February 8, 2006, I met the love of my life Lisa Woodward at a Great Big Sea concert in Calgary, AB. I finally found someone that shared the same love and interests as me. We became instant friends and we knew we couldn't be apart so we officially became a couple. We are best friends and love to spend every possible moment together.

My name is Lisa and I grew up on an acreage about 20 minutes outside of Sherwood Park. Since then, I haven’t strayed too far, having only lived in Edmonton and Sherwood Park, but I have managed to do some travelling, and it feels like I’m always dreaming of the next vacation. I can’t play an instrument to save my life, but I love going to concerts, and have been volunteering at the Folk Festival for almost 20 years now!

I’ve always been quite active and interested in sports and as a kid I’d be outside riding my bike all the time. In junior high I played basketball, in University it was ball hockey and ice hockey, and now I’m a regular in fitness and yoga classes offered where I work. To me, being active is just as important mentally as it is physically as it allows me the chance to step back for a bit, to gather my thoughts and to release any stress or tension I’m carrying around.

In June of 2016, we both craved a different type of workout, something to take us to the next level and something that we could do as a couple. We thought back to our childhood days biking and figured that we would fit in at Spinunity. It's here that we found our Tribe. We were instantly greeted at the door and quickly made new friendships with other riders. We were satisfied with the level of training and we made it a goal to ride at every opportunity possible. 

Spinunity offers quality time for us to spend time as a couple, pushing ourselves to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Another bonus is the chance to put down our phones and laptops and step away from the technology at our day jobs.

For music lovers like us, Spinunity offers amazing current and custom old school play lists from all eras of music, with a huge range of styles. There is something for everyone and we always push harder when our favourite songs are played. 

Spinunity offers us the 2 things we are most passionate about in life - fitness and music. This combination really keeps us motivated and the trainers keep it fresh by changing playlists and fitness routines. We feel challenged everyday at Spinunity and the support we have been given since day one is incredible. 

One word that we hear in every class is Gratitude. We don’t take this word for granted, and we are both truly thankful for the energy we give and receive at Spinunity. It’s Gratitude that keeps us coming back!

If you are considering Spinunity in your fitness routine, what are you waiting for? Come and ride with us!!

All photos above provided by WeAreYEG.

#ridersforlife #spinunity #sweatstories

I did some soul searching to deep dive into the steps I needed to take.  Food.  Exercise.  No fads.  Those were a few of many criteria.  I wanted to do this the right way, so it stayed away.  And I could be as healthy as I was when I was a teenager.  First obstacle: tackle my eating habits.  I cut out binging on unhealthy foods and started to eat clean.  It was very hard at first, but, after a few weeks, it was natural. I had attended a wedding and told everyone my first goal: lose forty and you can get the half sleeve you’ve always wanted.  Anyone who has met me, knows, I have that half sleeve of Alice…my favorite lost girl who found her way home, much like myself.  It took half a year to finish this piece and over that time I continued to lose and reward myself along the way.  I have some pretty cool shoes, a watch, and hats because of it.  But really, the biggest reward was knowing all my hard work was paying off!

Fast forward to January 2016. Second obstacle: I’d been at this for about 6 months and decided I had my eating habits under control and I could handle some exercise.  I started with a student personal trainer and she kicked my butt every. single. time. I saw her.  She was a gem!  I would also lift at home with my husband, who is big into that stuff and has converted our garage into a gym!  No complaints here!  I did this for about a year semi seriously and knew I needed to get it together to see a bigger difference than I already had.

I was talking to a dear friend of mine one day in January 2017 and she mentioned she had gone to a spin class!  I will tell anyone that I’m a self-proclaimed cardio hater.  Always have been.  I don’t have world’s greatest stamina, but, she invited me along and I thought, what could it hurt?  Worst case scenario, I didn’t enjoy it and I just didn’t go back.  I didn’t need to worry about that after the first ride!

I found myself feeling…alive.  Remember, I hate cardio, but there was something about being in the dark with this perfectly loud music. I left feeling inspired.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t get back for two more weeks but every day in between, I found myself thinking about how excited I was to return.  Nothing on my fitness journey has ever made me that excited!  Now I’m spinning on average four times a week and I’m bummed if I need to change my schedule and miss a class!

There’s something special about Spinunity.  It’s not just about a workout.  It’s about being surrounded by people with similar mindsets, people who are crazy inspiring, people who push you when you think you can’t go any further.  And you can go further…that’s the beauty of it!  I hit up random classes when I’ve had a particularly difficult day at work, when I have any kind of stress, or just need a good sweat.  It makes me better.  A better person.  A better wife.  A better mom.  A better friend.  And it does that by making me feel strong. Proud. 

If you’re still debating on whether to try it, stop.  You’ll never regret a single ride, even when you “don’t feel like it”. 

I’m now at 100, yes, one HUNDRED pounds lost.  I feel better than I ever have and Spinunity has been a huge part of that.  That aha moment changed my life.  Spinunity changed it even further.  Why not give it a chance to change yours?

All photos above provided by WeAreYEG.

#ridersforlife #spinunity #sweatstories

I take “living life to the fullest” seriously! In effort to balance my studies in bilingual nursing, work, the people I love and getting that blood pumping, my life is a whole lot of crazy. Spin has become my outlet… I speed up my legs to slow myself down. It is a place where I can let go of my day, re-connect with myself and spend an hour solely devoted to my well-being. In other words, it’s that infamous “me time” that keeps us all sane.

My journey with Spinunity began last year when my mom and I challenged ourselves to our own spin challenge each month. With my biggest fitness inspiration riding alongside me, not only did I begin to see physical changes but BIG mental changes. I noticed myself standing a little taller, speaking a little louder, acting a little kinder and smiling a whole lot bigger. Since then I have met so many inspiring people who’ve guided and encouraged me to become the one on that stage!

When I see you on that bike (and trust me, I’m excited), my goal for you is to surprise yourself. Set a goal, work until it’s surpassed, and then challenge yourself again!

Check out my instructor profile: www.spinunity.ca/allison-eccles

#spinunity #yegfitness #spininstructor #motivator

I'm not that fitness guru. I don't go to the gym everyday to work out for 3 hours. I've never been sport oriented. Actually, I hated gym class. I don't pretend I'm in great shape. When it comes to being healthy I'm all game to try something new, like spin.

Now let's get real. The first time I tried spin I almost died. A coworker asked me to go with her. Why not? I'm always up for something new. I did not know what to expect besides riding a stationary bike. When I arrived I received a pleasant greeting in the front, and help in setting up the bike. ( Setting up is important to make that seat the right height for you so you're not killing your knees. )

And go ...... just keep peddling!

Music blazing, sweat rolling. Then add more tension. Ok got it. Did it! Then the instructor tells you to add more tension and stand! What? Push-ups while riding a bike? Swear this guy is nuts.

Breathe! Breathe! Keep on peddling!

Ok sit and grab those hand weights. My mind is going " what now? I have to have coordination while riding this thing?"

Breathe! Breathe! Keep on peddling!

OMG! Gratitude? What's that? Oh just ride at your own pace. Got it. Until he tells you to add more tension. Oh ya more tension. Great grab the weights again and do arm curls.

Breathe! Breathe! Keep on peddling!

Three more song tracks. I can do this, no problem!! Add more tension. We are doing seated climbs. I swear this guy is nuts! Just a little more. Stand up and jog it out. 

Breathe! Breathe! Just keep peddling! 

Before I knew it he said " Happy Monday" that was it ! I did it! WOW ! As I bask in my own personal achievement I'm handed a cool lemon scented cloth to wipe my sweaty face.

Now climbing off that bike..... well, let me just say your butt will hurt after the very first time, you do this class. That's it, something in me just wanted to go again, and again. It's being a part of a team environment that I like! But each time I start peddling I'm doing it for me and only me!

So after almost a year of riding, and not every day I got involved with the karma program. I've also came to know that instructor, and he's not crazy, funny but not crazy. I even look forward to those little words "add more tension" . So come and say hello to me next time you're in. And remember.....

Breathe! Breathe! Keep on peddling! Keep on peddling!

The timing seemed perfect when Spinunity was introduced to me through a friend the summer after I graduated from University. I was totally ready to get back on track and was up for trying anything!

My first class was probably similar to most people's...the climb that felt too hard (hello quads!), tabatas that I thought would never end, those one or two more turns that seemed impossible! And as sore and uncomfortable as I felt after, I couldn’t stop thinking about how amazing the atmosphere was, the people, and the music. I knew this was something I had to keep pursuing to get out of my 3 year fitness hiatus.

Fast forward to about two years later and here I am, still walking through those Spinunity doors. Every class is a chance for me to set a new goal; will I go faster, hover lower, use heavier weights? Spin has not only allowed me to get back into a healthier lifestyle, it has really helped me achieve a positive work/life balance as well. Being on that bike is a chance to take the time to calm my mind and allows me set the “important” things aside for an hour to sweat and reset.

Thanks to my fellow riders and amazing motivators for continuing to push me every class, see you on the bike! 

All photos above provided by WeAreYEG.

#ridersforlife #spinunity #sweatstories

I am a mom of two, Trista 9 and Anson 6 (almost 7) and the lucky wife to my husband Jason of 11 years.  I am also known to becoming the crazy cat lady; we have three.    

I have been an athlete all my life and still participate in some team sports today - mostly volleyball and softball.  As mentioned I love to workout and adding spin into my life has been the icing on the cake.  

Outside of sports, professionally I am a self employed bookkeeper and also an online health and fitness coach.  I love numbers, and what I do professionally, but I am also very passionate about helping others to a whole other capacity.

Just this past year, I really became connected with Spinunity through a local event that Jordan and Jeff helped me put on at the studio for something near and dear to my heart. It was this special event, and the high of a ride it gave me that kept me coming back.  That, and the positive vibe of the community.  Now here I am wanting to pay it forward and to give others the experience that spin has given me.  

I look forward to leading you in class, and if I am not there, I will be riding along side you in class.  See you there!  

XO, Kitreena

Check out my instructor profile: www.spinunity.ca/kitreena-cooper

#spinunity #yegfitness #spininstructor #motivator

First things first: I am an ultramarathon runner (and yes, it is ABSOLUTELY as disgustingly long as it sounds). Ironically enough, I actually hate running. Well…mostly. To clarify: I love being ABLE to run, and it has always come easily to me – however, not only does it all but wreck my body, but it is mentally and emotionally draining…I swear I’ve still yet to find that ‘runner’s high’ that everyone goes on and on about. Currently I have finished three half-marathons, seven marathons, one ultramarathon, completed Canadian Death Race ultramarathon (as a team) and attempted to finish solo Canadian Death Race (once) and Sinister 7 Ultramarathon (twice). Just a few miles, eh. Growing up, the rink was my second home: I played AA ringette for thirteen years, and traveled to the Czech Republic with U-19 Team Canada West for the World Ringette Championships in 2009.  I played with Edmonton WAM! in the National Ringette League (NRL) for three years, before hanging up my skates and retiring so that I could fully commit to completing the remaining two years of my nursing degree.  I completed my Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 2015, and landed my dream job in the General Systems Intensive Care Unit (GSICU) at the University of Alberta Hospital the same week I passed the NCLEX to obtain my Registered Nurse designation. I absolutely, hands down, whole heartedly LOVE my job (plus..my casual/Type A/OCD/nerdy personality not only gets to run wild, but is also encouraged and accepted haha!). I don’t look like your stereotypical nurse; I was definitely the black sheep of nursing school, and I would say the same holds true post-graduation compared to other RNs. While the countless, endless, outrageous hoops I had to jump through during nursing school were nothing short of brutal, looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. I am the nurse I am today because anything less than perfect would have been unacceptable. If you couldn’t already tell, I’m THE biggest nerd – I missed going to lectures and learning so much that I enrolled in an organic chemistry course this past semester (because who doesn’t love crying themselves to sleep at night, right?) and am planning on taking biochemistry/more organic chemistry next year! What can I say – I love learning! I’ve written the MCAT exam (twice actually, and even before writing the NCLEX), and I may or may not be writing the MCAT exam again this August… ;)

When I was seventeen, I blew my knee out (repeatedly), ripping ligaments and cartilage to shreds.  I was told post-surgery that not only would I probably not be able to run any sort of long distances (which was absolutely gutting – my heart was set on running and finishing my first marathon ten months down the road), but that I had also signed myself up for the Total Knee Replacement Club by age forty. At the latest. But I hate being told what I can and cannot do… I rehabbed that knee HARD – three hours a day, every day, for at least six months.  I finished my first marathon that summer in just over four hours, and I’m pretty sure I still hold the fastest ACL recovery time at my athletic therapist’s clinic (four months instead of six).

But, back to my hate turned love for spin. I had gone to the odd SpinUnity class over the past couple years (either with teammates or a friend), but always found excuses not to go consistently.  It wasn’t until a couple months ago when I jumped in and committed to going, never looking back, flat line or finish mentality.  So, what was the difference this time? Reason #1: injuries.  If you’ve ever had shin splints, you know how great those feel.  Progressing to a stress fracture? Just fantastic.  Re-fracturing a stress fracture? Rainbows and puppies. Which is exactly what I did this past year attempting to finish Sinister 7 Ultramarathon solo – I timed out at the second checkpoint/aid station on Leg 5 at 4AM, completing 105/161km in 21hrs.  I was proud, yet disappointed, frustrated, and ultimately gutted about not finishing the full distance. So, like the year before, I was back on no impact training in the months to come – however, this time it was taking longer.  I fell into a rut – I was mentally exhausted trying to stay positive , but lacked any and all motivation to keep training.  I had endless excuses for not completing the workouts my trainer uploaded for me, whereas the year before when I started training with Tight Fitness, I had unrelenting motivation and drive to hammer out each and every workout.  And cue reason #2: I felt overweight, heavy, and unhealthy –  I was the definition of whale mode.  I had to make a change; I had to dive in and lose myself in something. Soloists I had spoken with this summer about crosstraining had all mentioned spinning at one time or another, and since I was still riding the pine due to injuries, I figured I had nothing to lose.

It took me about two weeks to actually get the courage to go to a spin class – I get anxiety over absolutely nothing, and this was no exception – I felt like a whale, I was nervous about not setting up the bike properly, or looking ridiculous, etc. etc. The first class I hit up back in January was one of Jilly’s, so naturally almost went into cardiac arrest a couple of times. Well…maybe more than a couple. Okay, the whole class, whatever. ;)  It was one of the hardest workouts of my life.  Let’s be honest, I was the absolute opposite of stoked to be there at the start.  However, I was definitely inspired from day one: I remember looking up during class and seeing Jilly, full beast-mode, with so much passion and fire, and thinking “I want to be like her; I want to be like that again”.  So, day after day, excuses be damned, I hauled myself back onto that bike, losing myself in the wicked music (seriously, the instructors’ playlists are like no other!) and after about a month of going ~4x/week, I started looking forward to going to spin class, or rearranging other things in my life to make time for spin. The workouts are ALWAYS challenging (we’re talking sweat-your-weight-and-then-some killer workouts); I still make “are-you-kidding-me” faces or drop some colorful vocabulary whenever standing sprints make their appearance during class. The spin community – instructors and riders both – have been nothing short of motivational and uplifting. I have met some truly amazing humans in the spin community through SpinUnity, and have made some lifelong, irreplaceable friendships (especially with my twin!). 

While it may have taken me a bit longer to fall in love with spin, and despite the less than ideal circumstances that initially brought me into spin, I can absolutely, without a doubt say that it has had such a positive influence on my life.  While letting my injury heal, I have still become physically stronger (so much in fact, that I can hammer out 13 miles after not running for MONTHS…I mean, check out THAT cross-training!), my mental game is back on track, and most importantly, I am still motivated to keep going and keep getting stronger.  Spin class is also my escape from life when I need a break –my sister and I live together, along with our two large, noisy dogs and two kittens – needless to say the only time our house is slightly less than hectic is in the ugly hours of the AM.  I started out this fitness journey having to force myself out the door to get to class, whereas spin class is the part of my day I look forward to the most! For anyone who is on the fence or unsure about it, my advice is: just do it.  Don’t look back, don’t find an excuse, just dive in and give’er your all and get on that bike.

All photos above provided by WeAreYEG.

#ridersforlife #spinunity #sweatstories

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