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Why Cycle is the best cardio class at the Paseo Club

March 1st, 2024 | 4 min. read

By Jen Azevedo

When the fitness industry was in its early days the message was clear: do cardio to be healthy. Calisthenics, running, walking, and maybe a little tennis were the top recommended activities.

More recently, there is a greater focus on strength or resistance training. Kettlebells, dumbbells, resistance bands, and even Olympic lifting have become the center of attention.  

But we don’t want the pendulum to swing too far to the side. The Centers for Disease Control recommends a combination of cardio and strength training. Adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and two days of muscle-strengthening activity each week.  

The Paseo Club offers over 60 fitness classes each week, plus tennis, pickleball, and swimming facilities. One of our members' favorite classes is Cycle. 

In this article, you will learn all about why cardio activities are essential for optimum health, why cycle class is such great cardio, and when cycle classes are taught at the Paseo Club.  

IMG-3549Why do we need cardio exercise?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The primary cause is from living a sedentary lifestyle. People need to perform cardio exercises for several reasons.

  • Reduce body fat
  • Improves lung health
  • Reduces chronic pain
  • Improve fitness levels
  • Lower cholesterol levels 
  • Improves quality of sleep
  • Decrease blood pressure 
  • Increases insulin resistance
  • Improves mood and boosts mental health

What are the benefits of Cycle class?

With pumping music, motivating instructors, and tested programming, indoor cycling has proven to be a particularly effective way to get hooked on exercise. Jumping on a bike is shown to be one of the best ways to…

  • Beat stress
  • Diminish depression 
  • Improve mental health  
  • Protect joints since its low-impact
  • Improve heart and circulatory health
  • Burn fat because cycling is high-intensity 

If you have knee issues or do not enjoy running or swimming, then cycling is the obvious choice.   

20220907-PANA5002What parts of the body get targeted in Cycle class?  

The biggest muscle you target in cycle class is your heart. This muscular organ gets a workout, pumping blood through your body to supply the tissues with nutrients and oxygen.

You also work your lower body — quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings. Finally, to a lesser degree, your lower back, calves, and core muscles are also exercised. 

Who can take Cycle class? Do you need to be an experienced rider? 

Most everyone can attend cycle class, regardless of age or level of experience.   

If you are a beginner, you should start out easy. Just listen to your body and take it slow the first few classes. Tell the instructor you are new so they can help you properly set up your bike. 

comp_IMG_2617 (1)What should someone new bring to Cycle class? 

There are a few things to keep in mind to help your Cycle class be successful.

  • Bring a towel
  • Bring a water bottle
  • Wear a dri-fit tank top or tee shirt to wick sweat
  • Wear fitted clothes, preferably leggings to avoid chafing 
  • Wear cycle shoes if you have them, but they are not necessary  

What cycling classes are at the Paseo Club? 

The Paseo Club has several cycling classes held at different times throughout the week so you can find a class that works well for your schedule.

Cycle        

This class is a great cardiovascular workout. Pedal through hill climbs, sprints, and many other challenging drills. Sign up on the Spivi app and plug in your metrics, so the ride is specific to you. All levels are welcome. Wear comfortable clothing. Tennis shoes are fine, but cycle shoes with SPD or LOOK (delta) clips are best.   

Morning Classes: Monday 7-7:45 am, Tuesday 6-6:45 am and 8:30-9:15 am, Wednesday 7-7:45 am, Thursday 7-7:45 am, Friday 7-7:45 am and 8:30-9:15 am, Saturday 8:30-9:30 am, Sunday 8-9 am,
Instructors: Jackie Tallarido on Mondays, Melanie Vovk on Tuesdays, Michael Schmidt on Wednesdays, Fridays (7-7:45 am), and Sundays, Mark Overdevest on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 am, Melanie Vovk on Fridays at 8:30 am, Cezanne Youmazzo on Saturdays

Evening Classes: Monday 6-6:45 pm, Tuesday 6-7 pm, Wednesday 5:30-6:30 pm, Thursday 6-6:45 pm
Instructors: Jodi Broz on Mondays and Thursdays, Michael Schmidt on Tuesdays, Alex Holguin on Wednesdays

comp_IMG-4017Cycle Fusion 

This class is a dynamic blend of cycling and body weight exercises. Wear tennis shoes for this challenging class. 

When: Thursday 8:15-9:15 am
Instructor: Lynette Willis 

Cycle Express 

This 30-minute high-intensity interval training workout on the bike enhances your cardio performance and your body's ability to stay in fat-burning mode long after your workout is complete. Energetic and timed intervals paired with fun music will motivate you to push past barriers and get your body to lose calories, burn fat, and build muscle!

When: Wednesdays 8:30-9:00 am
Instructor: Heather Deffenbaugh

Cycle Unplugged  

Join Lynette for a one-hour ride without using the Spivi app. This class is back-to-the-basics with just your bike monitor.  Get your heart rate up and burn those calories while sculpting your legs!  

When: Monday 8:30-9:30 am
Instructor: Lynette Willis

CompressedIMG_8994 (1)Boosting your heart health with Cycle class at the Paseo Club

The most important aspect of committing to consistent exercise is finding a fun activity. Cycle class is lively, challenging, encouraging, and social. You can do wonders for your heart, as well as your overall physical and mental fitness.

Come to one of the several cycle classes at the Paseo Club to find the right fit for you. There are classes on weekends, mornings, and evenings for your convenience.

The Paseo Club also offers many other fitness options, so you can have a diverse array of activities to choose from. Members enjoy tennis, pickleball, Pilates, yoga, swimming and more.

If you need a fun place for your kiddos while you work out, check out Kids Club. Warm and experienced staff are available to care for your children from ages three months through twelve years.

The Paseo Club welcomes members from all around the Santa Clarita Valley. If you would like to learn more about our facilities and amenities, then schedule a tour today. Meet members, staff, and instructors!

Schedule a Tour

Jen Azevedo

Jen Azevedo is a tennis professional, pickleball professional, personal trainer, group exercise instructor, and the general manager of the Paseo Club. She loves the community at the Paseo Club and that it is also a safe and fun place for her daughter. Jen’s favorite activities are joining her tribe for trail races or her partners for tennis matches. Occasionally Jen slows down to relax with a book — she reads over 100 a year!