I’m loving my MOI cycle class. But am I really ready to get MOI certified so I can teach it? My instructor thinks so. Gulp! Image courtesy of duron123 and FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

About a month ago I started a new cycling class – MOI – and got my butt thoroughly kicked! Unlike my regular spin class, MOI zeros in on heart rate and cadence (speed). It’s all about fitness and not calorie burn.

The class has 3 heart rate ranges and your aim is to hit the target heart rate at the designated speed (find your max heart rate here). The speed ranges from 60-85 RPM. Sounds easy, until you have to hit 95% of your max heart rate going 65 RPM. That’s a lot of resistance you have to add to the bike to hit that target.

Needless to say, I shred my legs in every MOI class.

It’s common for me to break a good sweat in a spin class. But with MOI, it looks like a dam broke open. Sheets of sweat are coming out of my pores.

This morning’s class I ended up burning 750 calories. Holy cow! I’m so exhausted. I don’t want to nap; I need to hibernate.

Yet I love it!

Big Surprise Today
My awesome MOI instructor asked if I ever thought about getting certified to teach cycling. She told my form is great and she sees improvements each time I’m in class. But she thought the biggest bonus I bring to the table is “my story.”

Apparently it’s easier for participants to relate to an instructor whose lost weight.

I have to agree with that. My 3 cycling instructors are all thin but all talk about their love of food and weight struggles. Sure they haven’t had to lose as much as me, but they’ve all had to lose weight. It makes them more human and not cycling bitches from hell trying to make my legs fall off.

As for teaching, well I have thought about it. I find myself watching my cycling instructors carefully, absorbing their best techniques and music choices. Yes, I’ve dreamed about teaching classes and thought about what goes into a great cycling workout. Yet I always see myself at goal weight before trying something like that.

Well thanks to the chat I had today, the idea of waiting until I reach goal seems silly. All I’m doing is putting my life on hold. I did enough of that when I weighed 325.

My instructor is sending me training info. Who knows, maybe by the fall I’ll be the cycling bitch from hell making people’s legs fall off.