IF there was one thing this year has taught me, it’s this: don’t wait for tomorrow, go after it today. As such, I decided it was a good time, in the final days of 2020, to revisit a Spin class.
I can't think of another indoor cycling instructor who models the go-getter attitude better than Priscilla Yee, whom I met at The Flow Studio where we were both teaching reformer Pilates.
Apart from her stint at The Flow Studio, Pris ─ as she is more commonly known ─ is also a media manager at Astro as well as a Spin and HIIT instructor at Ministry of Burn.
Having attended her Pilates sessions, which are paired with creative choreography, Pris is the queen of arm workouts.
However, I had no idea what to expect from her Spin class aside from her promise of “a cardio party, sweat puddles, heavy & fast climbs, and easy-to-follow combos on the bike”.
There was only one thing on my mind after I’d signed up for her RIDE session ─ all 45 minutes of ‘high-energy, moderate-intensity and maximum burn’: I hoped to God that I didn’t bring the class to a screeching halt by pulling an Amy Schumer moment in “I Feel Pretty” and fall off my bike!
Fortunately, upon my arrival, my rattled nerves were soothed instantly by a friendly staff member at the front desk.
Although we started off at a steady pace, it was merely a warm-up to what would inevitably be a hot second ─ don’t be fooled: Pris may be laidback in person but her workouts are anything but that.
As I feared, the resistance knob was cranked up by three turns and right then, the real work began.
In preparation for the double time “1,2 1-2’s”, Pris took us through a series of steady beats right up to the final 64-beat give-it-your-all sprints.
As things begin to heat up midway through the session, the dancer in me started to feel at home just as Pris starts to get us to lean left and right.
Only when I glimpsed at the mirrors ahead, I am somewhat reminded of where I am.
I see everyone bobbing up and down in unison; for a split-second, it seemed like we were outdoors on real terrain, rounding the bends as a team.
Unfortunately, the moment was short-lived.
Pris started to prepare us for the next set by demonstrating the choreography ─ moves reminiscent of a drill team.
Although at this point, I’m faking my arm gestures ─ with the hope of making it ─ Pris doesn’t let me get away that easily.
Whilst continuing to command the room after dismounting from her bike, she approaches me to correct my form at close proximity.
She goes on to do this twice more, and that’s just for me.
Throughout the class, she jumps offstage to boost the morale of each rider of the MOBSquad, as they are affectionately known.
Whenever she senses that we’re giving in, she rocks out in front with a burst of personal encouragement to keep us going.
As we reach the final leg, she says, “Close your eyes. Where’s home for you? Think of that”.
As we begin to hit the final sprint, the music gets louder, and Pris let’s out a rallying cry that is met with breathless cheers.
“Are you ready? Wherever you go, home is within you!”, she exclaims with a boom.
At this point, a wave of emotion rushes over me and I pedal away like there was no tomorrow.
Honestly, I was not prepared for this to be an emotional and spiritual experience, but it clearly was.
I finally understand why the MOBsquad and Spin lovers keep coming back for more.
It’s beyond checking off a workout from your to-do list. It’s the feeling of togetherness, of being part of something bigger.
We all want to be seen as we are, to belong to a community, regardless of status or rank.
In Spin, you get that ─ we all cross the finish line together. ─ The Vibes, 23 December, 2020
