Finding Her Exercise Fit – Malissa Brings Years of Experience and Training to Her RydeOn! Classes

You wouldn't think that someone who has consistently done body building, running, tae kwan do and other intense forms of exercise for years would find indoor cycling that much of a challenge. At least, that's what current RydeOn! instructor Malissa thought before her first indoor cycling class.

But like many other already-fit people who try indoor cycling for the first time, Malissa found out that she still had a few things to learn. “After years of abusing my joints in various exercise modalities (body building, tae kwon do, running, strength/speed coaching) I needed to find a good cardio bang-for-my-buck in terms of time and intensity without further hurting myself,” she said. “I went into my first cycling class thinking I was in great condition -- and found that I couldn’t make it through the first instruction to  'STAND FOR 1 MINUTE!!'”

“I was hooked! I knew immediately that indoor cycling would be a challenge for me, both physically and mentally, and that it was very different from other forms of exercise that I'd experienced.”

Since that first class, Malissa has gone on to add certification as a Mad Dogg indoor cycling instructor to her impressive list of credentials that already included a BA in Exercise Physiology and certifications in massage therapy and group fitness, pilates, and kardio kickboxing.

“Indoor cycling is one of my favorite group exercise formats to instruct because it is so individual – every person can find a fit. I get to blast fun music, I get to interact with the group as we go, I get to explore ways to find success for each Ryder during each class....that’s my reward! Indoor cycling lets people feel like they're having fun and being rewarded for putting in intense effort.”

When it comes to her philosophy of health and fitness, Malissa said that she strongly emphasizes proper form, body awareness, and stretching with her clients. According to Malissa, form is what makes the difference between exercise that's effective and exercise that just damages our bodies. Awareness of our bodies helps us to remember and duplicate the motions that bring us the most success.

As for stretching, Malissa said that proper stretching is one of her “soap box issues – along with proper form.”

“Every BODY can stretch, and every ONE should do it!,” she declared. “Stretching costs nothing and requires nothing other than a bit of effort, but very, very few people do it. And fewer still stretch with the proper form, consistency and efficiency it takes to see progress. Flexibility is a biomechanical necessity as we age, not to mention a vital component of our athletic and fitness capabilities.”

“If I can give each person in my indoor cycling classes just five minutes of effective stretching, that's likely to be more than most of them will do in a week's time. Just like indoor cycling, stretching is a very 'where you are at' thing to do – everyone has their personal 'edge,' and it's about exploring that edge, not forcing yourself beyond it. So many people label themselves 'inflexible' and just resign themselves instead of exploring what they can actually do,  and others perform stretches in contraindicated ways, which just leads to injury. I feel very strongly about educating people about how to perform stretching correctly.”

Malissa leads several RydeOn! indoor cycling classes a week in addition to a busy life that includes her husband, three children, a “slew of animals,” and a very hectic volunteering and social schedule revolving around her children's activities.  You can join Malissa's classes and get the benefit of her years of experience as a fitness instructor – as well as instruction in proper stretching and exercise form – by clicking here today. And get ready for some rocking music – literally! Malissa loves to rock out her classes, but said she's happy to play other kinds of music on request.