Paula Scardiglia, 50, has been a health club member since 1992 and has enjoyed indoor cycling off and on over the years. As a result, when she decided it was time to buckle down and lose weight, she knew indoor cycling would help her do so efficiently. “It’s just a really great and fun exercise,” she said.
So instead of taking indoor cycling classes here and there, she began taking them almost every day at Sport&Health in Reston, Virginia. Today, 150 pounds lighter, Scardiglia hasn’t looked back and continues to make indoor cycling a part of her weekly routine.
What Scardiglia enjoys most about indoor cycling is the fact that it doesn’t just help you lose weight — it improves your aerobic conditioning as well. “As I got into it, I got more into the conditioning aspect,” she said. “Not only have I lost weight, but my resting heart rate has improved, and I’ve gotten stronger.”
Scardiglia also enjoys the high caliber of instructors that Sport&Health attracts. “They’re all different and bring something good to cycling class,” she said. “They all make it easy to work hard and stay motivated.”
One of those instructors includes Dale Repshas, who saw Scardiglia’s weight loss first hand. “It was so exciting to witness [her transformation],” recalled Repshas. “You have to be careful though, because you don’t want to make a big deal in case they’re self conscious, but Paula was very open about her weight loss.”
Although Scardiglia lost 150 pounds through indoor cycling, Repshas believes the program is great for almost any weight-loss goal. “Paula is a great case for extreme weight loss, but also those who just have 20 to 30 pounds to lose,” she said.
Repshas was happy to see that Scardiglia paired her indoor cycling classes with weight training. “I’m not a fan of anyone doing just one thing,” she said. “Paula supplemented indoor cycling with weight training, and that’s very important.”
Through her love of indoor cycling, Scardiglia has been able to keep off the weight she lost for the past three years. “I want to maintain my fitness level and you have to find something you really love, and I love cycling,” she said. “I never have to force myself to go to the gym and cycle.”
Scardiglia’s transformation has changed both her life and her outlook on what a workout is. Instead of a chore, workouts are now an enjoyable activity. “[Indoor cycling] has completely changed my life,” she said. “It’s fun to go to the gym now.”
Repshas believes club owners can learn from Scardiglia’s success in one particular way: Encourage members to try any and all club programs, because you never know what will strike a cord.
What Paula likes best about Sport&Health:
1. It’s a friendly environment. You get to know people.
2. Sport&Health is known to have really good cycling instructors and personal trainers.
3. It has good equipment. I like the cycling equipment especially.
By Rachel Zabonick
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
