By:  Tanya Carinci

Its 6 AM, the alarm clock rings and the snooze button is oh so tempting…but the morning grind must begin and with it, the daily checklist: Kid’s Breakfast. Check. Make Sandwiches. Check. Pack Backpacks. Check.  The list goes on….

But where does “ME” time and exercise fit into this equation?

As a mom of three kids (all under the age of 7), I know what it’s like to multi-task and the importance of being efficient.  I need to squeeze in as many things as I can in a short period of time.  Exercising is one of them.

For me, nothing beats the benefits of an indoor cycling class for a high intensity workout. More importantly, there is no better way to enjoy cycling’s benefits than being in a fun and supportive group setting, led by energetic instructors, with motivating music to push you to your max.

Whether you are just starting an exercise regimen or you are an advanced fitness enthusiast, a cycleBands class gives you the cardio fix & and an opportunity to sculpt your upper body muscles and ultimately muscle burns more calories. If you are looking to shake up and reinvigorate your workout routine, give this a go! 

I think if Spynga has an unofficial motto, it would have to be ‚ÄúBounce/No Bounce!‚Äù¬†¬† For those yet to experience this particular cue during a cycling class, it refers to alternating between letting the body be loose and, well, bouncy for a length of time, and then, upon the ‚ÄúNo Bounce‚Äùcommand, tightening the core to slow the legs down and still the upper body.¬† It‚Äôs hard!¬† But the stillness feels pretty great after all that goofing around, just as the bouncing feels pretty joyful and delicious after that kind of discipline.¬† So it struck me recently — is it possible that Bounce/No Bounce provides us with a useful metaphor for the well-lived life?¬† Aren‚Äôt there many times in life when we tense everything up and try to control things when it would perhaps be wiser to let go and just bounce?¬† And what about those times when we know we need to hunker down and do some serious, committed hard work ‚Äì disciplined work that will feel great once we‚Äôre in it ‚Äì yet we‚Äôre flitting all over the place, procrastinating, prioritizing poorly, getting distracted.¬† Wouldn‚Äôt it be nice if Joanna called you those days and shouted, kindly yet firmly, ‚ÄúNo bounce!‚Äù¬† until you finally just got down to it?

I know for me, when my legs are flying, my heart is pumping, the Madonna’s blaring, Casey’s cheering me on, and I think I’m not thinking at all…blammo. Idea town! Whether it’s a creative solution to an issue of family dynamics, clarity around a niggling decision I need to make, or an artistic breakthrough, the missing piece of the puzzle so often strikes like lightening in the middle of my ride. So what’s happening there?

My theory is that I’m so engaged with my body that the parts of my brain I usually put fences around are able to run free. What do you guys think?