Staying Fit With a Little Help From Her Friends

-Dawn Wolf

Jocie Weeden's philosophy of fitness comes down to two things: having fun, and the support of like-minded friends. “I feel the most important thing a person can do to meet their health and fitness goals is to get a partner, or get a few,” she said. “Work out with friends. Set goals. Work out with friends. Work out with friends.”

It's a philosophy that Jocie follows whether she is running – her first love – taking indoor cycling classes, or teaching her RydeOn! indoor cycling classes at 5:45 am on Thursdays and on alternate weekends. Jocie also takes her philosophy a step further by sharing her love of exercise and fitness with her husband Andrew (who also teaches at RydeOn!), her staff, and RydeOn! co-founder Brigid Lossing.

“I actually referred Brigid to a Keiser spin certification class when I wasn't able to go, and that's how she was certified initially – I think that spin certification class she took was what started the ball rolling,” which eventually led to Brigid opening RydeOn! with Christina.

Jocie added, “I understand the health benefits [of exercise] and want others to understand them, but in the end it's about how great you feel and how much fun you can have exercising if you are in the right group. I am a firm believer that the strength of others helps you get to where you want to be.” To that end Jocie, an orthodontist, has encouraged her staff to run together – with great results. “Watching the process where they went from walking 3 miles to then running 3 miles, and for one staff member to run an ultramarathon (50 miles!) has been very rewarding,” she said.

“I feel the same way about indoor cycling classes. To watch people transform from fearful or timid into a cycling lover is awesome. Along the way I get to watch people become healthier, and I get to watch how that transforms their lives.”

As for her own workouts, “I enjoy every class I get to take with other people. I enjoy every run I get to run with other people. I love companionship during a workout.” She particularly loves exercising with her husband Andrew, and said she feels very grateful for his support of her fitness goals even though the couple has four children who also keep them busy.

“I remember many years ago when I was running and trying to get him to run more with me and he said – and I quote –  'I have no desire to EVER run a marathon.' But now he's signed up for the Ann Arbor marathon with me in June!,” she said, laughing.

Jocie said that she works to create varied RydeOn! indoor cycling classes, but admitted that she loves the strength training that comes from standing up on the pedals. “Since getting out of the saddle is like running on a bike, it doesn’t surprise many people that I love to run and bike at the same time!”

In addition to her busy schedule of work, being a parent and wife, and teaching indoor cycling classes, Jocie has signed up for her first full triathalon for the fall of 2012. When she has the chance to kick back, she enjoys watching Survivor and – of course – The Amazing Race.

Take a class with Jocie! To register for one of Jocie's classes – and encourage her as she trains for her first triathalon – click here.