My Indoor Cycling Life ...

I started riding a bike seriously in 2010 and found music was an important part of my rides.  My passion for cycling and music is what led me to become an indoor cycling instructor starting in December 2014.  About six months earlier, I received my first indoor cycling (Schwinn) certification.*  Prior, I'd never taken an indoor cycling class.  My primary issue was the music didn't move me and all of the classes seemed the same.  Spin classes didn't seem to be fun, and I didn't see a lot of people enjoying themselves during classes. 

That was until a friend took me to Soul Cycle in New York.  I studied (I take notes via EverNote after every class) their master instructors and was in awe of the amount of work that goes into each class.  I would visit NYC and ride at Soul Cycle (Akin/Marvin),  FlyWheel (Cedric),  Peloton (Christine), Swerve (Jason), Byklyn (Kat), Crank NYC (Peter)-- literally any studio where I heard there was a good instructor -- and learned from some outstanding folks. That first year was all about learning.

To expedite the process, I taught at multiple studios: 

  • In January 2023, I rejoined the only Black-owned, training-based studio on the east coast, Wired Wellbeing. The indoor cycling industry is changing and performance-based cycling, IMHO, is the next big wave. I’m really eager to be here.

  • In January 2022, LifeTime Fitness offered an opportunity to work with cyclists with outdoor goals. Their varied cycling program speaks to those who just want a beat, to those who don’t want to get beat (in a race). It’s wonderful working with both groups.

  • In November 2020, I joined the group fitness team at the St. James: Sports, Wellness and Entertainment Complex in Springfield, VA. I am most excited to teach an outdoor cycle class . . . like where we actually move. Let’s GO!

  • In 2019, I was recognized as one of the top group fitness instructors in all of Equinox. It was pretty cool.

  • In the Spring of 2018, Sport and Health and Crunch Gym allowed me to work with new audiences. Everywhere from Germantown, Maryland to Old Town Alexandria in Virginia.

  • June 2017 (through April 2018), I joined Off Road DC. They have the best technology of any boutique studio in D.C. They were named the best boutique spin studio in DC. It doesn't get better than that.

  • Equinox, I joined in 2016, has locations in Washington, D.C., Bethesda, Md. and Tysons Corner Va., each has a distinct culture. It was at Equinox where I learned to coach individuals, to curate a playlist that imbues movement, to create an undulating profile and to orchestrate, and not simply teach, a spin class. Fourteen months after joining Equinox, I was recognized with the Group Fitness Instructor of Excellence Award. I'm absolutely thankful for the opportunity to teach here.

  • Mint DC (May 2015 - 2019), where I'm a Master Instructor, provides an opportunity to use heart rate info and also include footage of cycling races during class.

  • My time (May 2015 - March 2017) at Biker Barre was unique, as I learned to coach without a bike monitor/compute and became a Senior Instructor.

  • Sculpt DC gave me my start with rhythm rides In November, 2014. They recently closed in 2018, but for two years, they got the best rhythm ride instructor I could be. It was enjoyable.

  • No longer in D.C., Ride DC (off 14th and U St), provided an opportunity to hone my road ride ** skills (Jan 2015 - August 2016)

 * I also have certifications with Spinning, Schwinn, and Stages.
** No tapbacks