RydeOn!'s Mother/Daughter “Teams” Pursue Health & Fitness Together Through Indoor Cycling

When we started RydeOn!, we knew we wanted to create someplace that would build our community as well as our bodies. One thing we didn't anticipate, though, is the way that our studio is building families – in the form of the many family “teams” who have been participating in our classes. We're proud and pleased to share their stories for this newsletter and in future blogs during the month of May.

Ranging in age from middle school – middle sixties, these Ann Arbor and Saline-area families have one thing in common: they say that taking indoor cycling classes at RydeOn! is improving their health and fitness and strengthening their relationships.

Tammy Cameron and her high-school senior daughter, Olivia, from Saline have been coming to my 5:45 am classes. Both had tried spinning separately before choosing to come together in December 2012.

“We both really liked the experience, so when the weather became colder and the treadmill became boring, we decided to give spinning a try,” says Tammy. “It was easy to make a commitment to spinning at 5:45 am when I have someone to do it with and when Brigid makes it so much fun!”

“We love the workout and the feeling of being part of the class. We also like sharing our WATTS at the end of a Ryde - a little healthy competition!”

Tammy adds, “Olivia will be going off to college in the fall so I have really enjoyed this part of our relationship (and I miss her already). We have always been close, but spinning has added a new healthy closeness to our relationship. It's such a great way to start the day!”

That competition may be part of what makes Tammy and Olivia's RydeOn! classes so effective for them. According to this article from the American Council on Exercise, working out with someone we perceive to be in better shape than we are can improve our exercise performance!

Emily Petrous, the mother of two daughters herself, regularly makes time to come spinning with her mom, Mary. The Ann Arbor-area pair have been taking indoor cycling classes at RydeOn! together since March 2012; Emily herself has been with us since November 2011.

Emily says that RydeOn! has changed her relationship with spinning. “Since starting at RydeOn!, it's never love/hate now – I love the entire class!,” she tells us.

When it comes to indoor cycling with her mom, Emily says, “I look forward to meeting [her] at 5:45 spin classes. It motivates me to get out of bed and go if I know she's going to be there too. And I am proud that she is working hard right along next to me, and that we can share that accomplishment.”

Emily and Mary aren't the only mom/daughter team who feel that indoor cycling together is a great way to enjoy and make time for their relationship.

The “Stewart Ladies” – mom Claudia and college-age daughters Katherine and Betsy have become a team, according to Claudia. “We approach every class as a challenge and we push, challenge and encourage each other the entire way. We share each other's pride in meeting the challenges of each class.”

Claudia’s sentiments summarize the beauty of team spinning, “I must compliment you on having a studio that makes twenty-something’s feel okay about working out with their mothers.  Your instructors are clearly able to challenge those with "the harder the better mentality” alongside those who temper their workout. And we love seeing those calories burned on the bike!”

And, of course, moms and daughters alike are having success with their health and fitness since starting indoor cycling. Olivia reports feeling “BUFF! But on a more serious note, I feel much stronger mentally, which has benefited me as a runner.” Tammy likes that she feels toned and is stronger than before she started spinning with RydeOn!.  As for Emily, she says that she has “...more energy, endurance and strength, and have I lost weight as well!”

Mother's Day is coming, and you can give your mom the gift of health and fitness – and time together – by signing up to come to indoor cycling classes as a couple. Just click here to get started and make this Mother's Day the beginning of your health and fitness journey!