There is a real difference between riding a bicycle down the street and being part of a spin class—and Lifestyle Mechanics Studio, on Washington Valley Road, has proven that theory.
I recently took a class at the studio, which was opened by Warren resident Julie Black in November. I'm not entirely sure what I expected when I got there, but I know it wasn't anything like what I got.
The studio itself is decked out with at least 20 new bicycles, each state-of-the-art to allow riders to change the pressure of the pedals as though you are riding uphill and down. Black led the class in exercises ranging from standing up and pedaling, to a combination that went through both sitting and standing.
And then we added the weights which we used to tone our arms while pedaling on the bicycles.
It was basically non-stop pedaling for an hour—and boy, do my legs still feel the burn two days later.
Black—a trainer herself after she got into fitness and excercising following her own major weight loss—decided one day that she really enjoyed the benefits and fun of spin classes, and opted to open her own studio. She said she knew there were many gyms in the Bridgewater area, but none that offered the kind of state-of-the-art spin focus that she could in a special studio.
"I was looking in this area," she said. "I can get people from Warren, Bridgewater, Branchburg, Basking Ridge, Hillsborough. There is nothing like this around here, so people are willing to go a little further."
Monday's class, which I attended, had about 10 people, although Black said there are usually a few more. She said she has many regulars, and classes are filling up quickly, but she does accept walk-ins when she can.
And those looking to get involved in the studio can sign up online, and even get a free introductory class.
Black said the clientele is mostly word of mouth.
"My past clients brought friends," she said. "Everyone is spreading the word that this is a nice place to spin."
And aside from the exercise, the studio is also participating in a benefit for the Blazeman Foundation for ALS Research. According to the website about the benefit, Jon "Blazeman" Blais was the first ALS patient to finish an Ironman, and the foundation was created to raise awareness for medical research.
At the studio, on Feb. 25, bikers can reserve the bicycles for a certain amount of time to raise money for the foundation.
The studio is filling as more people are figuring out about spin. And although it's painful in the first class [at least for me], Black said clients can go at their own pace, and gradually improve their skills so they can make it through a whole class without any problem.
"I can't offer what most gyms offer," she said. "I have a couple other classes, but it's mostly spin."
For more information about the studio, or to sign up for a class, visit the website.
