Letters From Our Friends...
 

     By far the best Spinning place in LA! I have been to various gyms and studios and none of them compare! Revolution has the best teachers and is in such a cute location. It's tucked in a little courtyard on Montana. The classes sell out so it's best to sign up the day before. I've been going there for years and it becomes like a little family, everyone is so nice! The owner Stephanie is awesome, she has organized many charity Spins and really cares about the community. Her Saturday class rocks! Bottom line, if you like to Spin...Revolution is where it's at!    -- Lisa G.

     My husband kept telling me to try Spinning since I like working out. I never thought I would enjoy Spinning since I am not that fond of bicycling ­ then I took a class at Revolution.  Now I try to take at least 3 classes a week, and I am not happy when I can't make it. I love that the staff knows who I am when I check in, and they are always smiling, even at 6am!
     I would like to single out the 2 instructors who have made Spinning such an important part of my exercise regimen ­ Chris Plourde and Riley McAlpine. I cannot believe that I get up every Tuesday & Thursday in time for the 6am
class with Chris. I worked for 35 years in a job that involved getting up between 4 and 5am. I vowed when I retired that I would never get up that early again, unless I was leaving on a really nice vacation trip. Chris is such an amazingly good instructor that I set my alarm & get up even when it is cold & raining outside. His class is a lot more than a great cardiovascular workout. It is an organized and focused program designed to improve your overall fitness. His music is always perfectly matched to the theme of the class. He gives very clear instructions, and explanations of what the class will involve. This allows you to pace yourself so you don't require CPR at the end of class! Chris has pushed me far beyond what I thought my limits were. By the end of class, I feel like I can barely stand up, but within a few minutes, I feel great, and am energized for the rest of the day! Even though I have always worked out, I think I have taken my fitness up a level.
     I cannot think of a better way to start my Sunday than with Riley's 9am Spin. How can anyone not have fun in Riley's class? Riley has a unique ability to make you push yourself past your limit, and yet you are smiling. How does she do that? I love that I can respond when she says "Level 3", and I notice people half my age that can't go to Level 3. If Riley could
bottle up her enthusiasm, great attitude, and her way of making pain & work fun, she would be a multimillionaire!
     It does wonders for my ego that at 61 years old, I can hold my own with people who could be my children or grandchildren! Thanks Revolution!      --Trina P.

     My wife dragged me to Revolution 4 1/2 years ago.  The first session was very difficult (my butt hurt and I found Spinning to be exhausting) and I did not expect to return, but I allowed her to drag me back for a second and third session. That was more than 700 sessions ago.  I now Spin 4 - 7 times each week.  I guess that I am now officially addicted to Spinning at Revolution!  Not bad for someone who never really liked exercise.  I don't just like it, I love it and when I am out of town or I allow business to interfere with spinning, I miss it very much.  What a great place! The people at the front desk greet everyone by name and make you feel welcome.  The instructors all have big personalities and the genius of the owners is that they allow each instructor to do her or his thing without restriction, so each instructor conducts a different type of class, with great enthusiasm and encouragement. Revolution has become my Cheers!        
--Ron J.

     I never thought my life revolved around a Spinning studio until I sat down to write about Revolution.  I consider myself a well-rounded person.  I have a good job as a lawyer, a great husband, daughter and another baby on the way.  I have friends from many different aspects of my life.  However, when I sat down to think about how much Revolution has affected my life, I realized how different my life would be if I never worked out there.  
     The weight loss is pretty obvious; I lost 18 pounds from Spinning.  I then gained about 35 during my first pregnancy and lost all of it.  I am currently pregnant now and I plan on losing my baby weight again after this second pregnancy with the help of Revolution.  
     I met my fantastic husband at Revolution.  Stephanie had a "free Spin" for the swimmers on my swim team.  My husband was on my swim team, but I never said more than "hello" to him at the pool.  At this free Spin, I basically gave him the hint I was interested in dating him, and the rest is history.  We both are still lovers of Spinning at Revolution.
     I got into terrific shape for my wedding; with the help of Cari, Stephanie and the other wonderful teachers.  As stated above, I am now going through my second pregnancy...still Spinning.  I   am planning on getting right back on the saddle right after the delivery of #2. 
      The Spinning friends that I have made are special.  I have learned something special from each one.  Each friend contributes to my excitement of fitness.  Some motivate me to do other sports, some motivate me to work harder, and some remind me to take it easy.  Besides getting something out of my workouts from these Revolution friends, it is the time before and after class that I have cherished the most.  I have made the most amazing friends; each one has given me something special.  These ladies have various careers and spend their "off the bike time" differently.  Some are successful small business owners, some are amazing mothers, some are professionals trying to balance work, family and personal time, some are in the health industry.  Some are even starting their careers as young professionals.  They have influenced me in all aspects of my life. 
      Since the birth of my first daughter, I have not been able to take as many classes as I had before.  I miss that.  However, I know that even if I am not there all of the time, I am a part of the "Revolution Family" and  can always find support from the staff, teachers and the people who work out there.  
      Thank you Revolution for being such an important part of my life.  I wish you another 100 years of success.  It is well deserved.       --Cheryl N.

    Revolution helped me become an athlete for the first time in my life.  I was never on a high school sports team, and in college the only weight lifting I did was my right bicep as I lifted the beer to my mouth.  Sometimes I would switch hands.  I got married and gained a few pounds.  Got pregnant and gained a few more.  I started Spinning just to lose weight after my son was born.  It wasn't supposed to be a long-term thing.  I thought I would die during that first class.  I think I barely made it 30 minutes, and that was with no resistance.  All the people in front of me (I, of course, was in the back row in the corner) were jumping up and down in the saddle, their feet seemed to be actually Spinning to the rhythm (how is that possible?), and they were having such a good time.  I most definitely was not having fun.  No one was happier than I when the class ended -- a few minutes over...like that was supposed to be a good thing.  But for the rest of that day I felt pretty good.  I wasn't sore, and Spinning's supposed to be an efficient way to lose weight, so I went back.  And went back again.  I started talking to people.  I made friends.  Suddenly, a year had gone by, the baby weight was long gone, I had tried a double Spin or two, and I was having FUN!  How did that happen?!
     It's been four years now.  In that time I've finished 14 sprint distance triathlons, 1 olympic distance triathlon, countless 5K and 10K road races, and I wasn't last in an indoor rowing competition last February.  I started doing all of this because one of the people I regularly Spin with came into class glowing after having finished the Malibu Triathlon.  I asked her about it and she encouraged me to go for it.  Not only did she encourage me, she trained and raced with me.  Another Revolution friend loaned me her bike (for three years) while I decided if this tri thing was really going to work for me.  At Revolution I found running/stairs partners, support in strength training classes, and a nutritionist who helped my husband lose almost 30 pounds and start a regular exercise program. 
     Revolution is my home away from home, my second family (the chosen family, not the ones I'm stuck with!).  It's the place I come when I want to unwind, de-stress, rock out, work out, center myself, push hard, or take it easy.  I miss it when I'm gone too long, and when I come back it feels like Cheers.  I'm so grateful to have such a wonderful place in my life!    -- Jodi B.

     Revolution to me is a very special place. I travel 15 miles, I love it so much. My experience at Revolution has been wonderful. I have been coming here for 4 years and love my Spinning classes so much. Everyone here is warm, friendly and welcoming. Although there are Spinning classes closer to my home, I would never even consider it, Revolution is truly my home away from home.   --Corinne R.

     I had a very close friend whose body went from a size 6 to a fit and trim size 2....and she looked terrific. When I asked her how she did it, she said she had found this wonderful quick and efficient way to work out, Spinning. So...I decided to give it a whirl.
     I went solo to Revolution Fitness...my first teacher being Cari who was in incredible shape. She was very inspirational. She told me the first few times to just stay “In the Saddle” (what?) and just watch and listen. After my first class, I thought I was going to die!! I left there thinking, there is no way I can do that again! Well, that was 6 years ago. Although I am not a size 2...Spinning has changed my life physically and mentally. I can go into a class feeling bad, and walk out on cloud 9. There is something about the music, the endorphins, the inspiration of a good teacher...that makes my day. Now, I look forward to each and every class. Oh...and I have talked about 3 of my very dear friends into going who now are as into it, if not more, than I am.
     Thanks Revolution!!!     -- Kelli A.

     Congratulations to all of you on Revolution's 10 year anniversary!  I still remember the day I discovered the studio.  I was taking a walk on Montana Avenue, saw your sandwich board and picked up a flyer.  When I showed up for a trial strength training class a few days later, Kim was so warm and welcoming, and from the moment she introduced me to Cari and I took my first strength training class, I was hooked.  That was nearly 5 years ago.  You have created such a wonderful place to workout.  It's such a supportive environment, from those of you greeting us at the front desk, to the incredibly energetic and fun instructors, to the loyal student base you've acquired over the years.  It's been wonderful to get to know all of you and to share more than just workouts - sharing in the joy of Stephanie's pregnancy, getting to meet little Alexander, hearing about Kim's latest concert and Riley's latest art show, sharing Cari's joys as her kids grow up (and getting to vote on the color of her new patio furniture), participating in fund raisers and special Spins, etc. 
     It's been a pleasure to see Revolution transform itself over the past 5 years, adding exciting new classes, getting new bikes, getting a cosmetic face lift, yet always retaining the same warm and friendly environment that makes it such a unique place to get and stay in shape.
     Thanks for helping me stay in good shape, physically and mentally.  I look forward to celebrating many more anniversaries with you.      -- Iris W.