52 Weeks of Wellness: Pedaling & Kettling Along
Thursday, Feb 10, 2011
Pedaling and Kettling Along
52 Weeks of Wellness: Week Five
Much like my fear of Boot Camp, I have approached any wellness class taught by Paige Pellerin with anxiety. Her reputation as one tough cookie precedes her. So imagine my internal sigh of relief when Paige was absent the day I chose to visit the Pedal and Kettle class at the Casco Bay YMCA.
My relief is short-lived, as Paige’s most excellent substitute, April, leads us in a demanding yet exhilarating workout. At one point, one of the other 14 class participants says, “Really, April, you don’t have to do this exactly how Paige would have.” Shortly into the class, I pedal and kettle alongside what appears to be a group of regular class participants who know the class and know one another. This small community is warm and welcoming when this new gal shows up.
April starts the class by playing “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas. Not only is this a great song to get any class going, but it happens to have been the theme-song for the national gathering of YMCA’s in Salt Lake City last year. It takes me back and motivates me to pedal faster. The room is dark and the mood is set for some serious cycling. Only the mounds of snow piled up outside the windows of the multi-purpose room are reminders that there is life outside of the exercise we are so furiously accomplishing inside.
This class combines riding on the cycling bikes with periodic off-the-bike weightlifting, using the kettleball weights. Though tough, the tension on the bikes can be set to as difficult as you can handle, and the weights of the kettleballs can be tailored as well.
If you are new to cycling, do NOT lose your water bottle from the car to the YMCA like I did. You’ll need the hydration. Another tip I would bestow is if you want to wear long pants, make them tight-fitting so they don’t rub against the bike. Capri pants or shorts are even better.
Class: Pedal & Kettle at the Casco Bay YMCA, Multipurpose Room B
Instructors: Paige Pellerin & Kelsey Abbott
Schedule: Mondays & Fridays, 8:00 – 9:00 am & 9:15 – 10:15 am; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
For a full schedule of wellness classes, including other cycling classes, click here:
Greater Portland Branch Schedules
Read John’s Health & Fitness Tips Blog
Hildy
Hildy Ginsberg is Portland’s Executive Director. She feels that the YMCA is the greatest place on earth. Seriously. Don’t you?