Astoundingly, less than 5% of adults participate in 30 minutes of physical activity on a daily basis, and only one-third of adults receive the recommended amount of physical activity every week. For some people, indoor cycling classes, and other group fitness classes, can make going to the gym a lot more fun. But for others, an indoor cycling experience might send their anxiety levels sky-high. When you’re used to working out alone, a cycling class can be a bit of an adjustment. However, most people find indoor cycling to be extremely rewarding, both physically and mentally. If you’re struggling to get over your nervousness about your first cycling classes, we hope these tips will put your mind at ease and allow you to embrace it for everything it has to offer.

Remember that everyone else is nervous too

Whether it’s their very first venture into cycling or they’ve been enjoying these classes for years, most people are at least a little nervous when they walk into a new studio. Exercising in public can be really intimidating, especially if you feel like you’re playing catch-up compared to everyone else. But keep in mind that you’re all in the same boat. No one is going to judge you for not knowing the routine or for taking a break if you need it. Everyone will be so focused on their own workout that they probably won’t even notice! In fact, the only person judging you will likely be you. Keep in mind that all StarCycle classes are held in a dark room, lit with candles, so that you can let go of the idea that all eyes will be on you and embrace the fact that everyone is actually in their own world- getting a kickass workout.

Get to know people in your class

One of the great things about signing up for a group fitness class is the chance to be a part of a little community. As cheesy as it sounds, you’re all in this together. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be particularly athletic, you probably have more in common with others in your class than you realize. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there before or after class and learn a bit more about others in the room. If you’re really concerned that you won’t be able to make friends, there’s nothing wrong with bringing one or two along with you. Coming into the class already knowing someone else can help you relax and actually focus on the workout, rather than worrying about feeling isolated.

Don’t be afraid to have fun

Indoor cycling is a fun way to workout, so don’t approach it with the same mindset as you do when you run on the treadmill. If you’re struggling with getting the motivation to go to the studio, think about changing your mindset. In every StarCycle class, you’ll be surrounded by amazing music and will have the chance to be motivated by the others around you. It’s often a lot easier to forget how hard you’re actually working when you have an instructor telling you what’s next. It’s actually a great way to get out of your head and let loose a little. When you feel stressed and burned out, the endorphin release will be well worth the effort.

If you’ve never done any indoor cycling before, it’s natural that you might be nervous. After all, when you don’t know what to expect, it’s easy to get carried away with possible scenarios. But remember that your instructors want you to succeed and that your fellow attendees will often be just as anxious as you are. Once you experience it yourself, you’ll probably find that it’s the most effective – and most fun – workout you’ve ever had.

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