Who Brought the POWER in February (2017)?
Brandi Aliaga, Heather Murnan, and Belinda Sherman
...Also known as "The George-ettes" since their constant encouragement and WOOO-ing throughout class rivals that of George.
If I had one word to describe these ladies it would be ENERGETIC. I mean at 5:30am they are hooting and hollering and waking me up. There is nothing I love more than waking up at 4:30a, looking at my class list, and seeing their names. The other thing I appreciate is that they like their hovers down low and their sprints nice and FAST!
Regardless of work, kids' activities, and other daily chores, these ladies make a point to ryde 2-3+ times a week...and ALWAYS with a smile (or a smirk) on their faces! Put your hands together for THE GEORGETTES!
What brought you to Power Ryde?
...For this question maybe I should have said WHO brought you to Power Ryde?!
Brandi - As Julia Gibson and I were sitting at the pool last summer, Julia in her string bikini and myself in a moo moo, she suggested I join her for a biking class so I figured what the hey?!
Heather - I had wanted to try a class, but I am one that doesn't like to do new things alone. Brandi had done a class and was talking about it at soccer one weekend. I mentioned that I had wanted to try it. With Brandi and Julia's prompting, I was there the next week.
Belinda - One day at the pool, Julia Gibson encouraged us to try a class.
Do you remember your first ryde? How did you feel? What kept you coming back for more?
Brandi - My first ride...I had ACL surgery about 7 months before I started Power Ryde so I was a little nervous about trying to stand up during the class, so I just peddled and peddled and peddled the entire time. Actually, I did that for about 6 classes before I got the nerve to stand up. After the first ride I couldn't walk or sit for about 4 days. I HIGHLY recommend getting padded biking shorts for your first class. Once I started wearing the padded shorts it was MUCH better :) Now I don't have to wear padding, just numb and callused so don't feel a thing ;) I kept coming back to Power Ryde because of the energy, the music, and the people in the class.
Heather - I remember all of the warnings Brandi gave me and I made sure to have my extra padding! All I remember is wondering how everyone else was standing up?! I kept coming back because I knew it was something I needed to do for myself.
Belinda - Yes. It was so hard. Someone told me once I make it through 4 classes, it would be downhill from there. I was committed to getting through the difficulty of the first few classes.
Why do you ryde at Power Ryde?
Brandi - I ryde at PR because of the people...from the owners, the instructors, and the other ryders...it's just a fun, supportive group of people. Plus it's dark in the cycling room, so no one sees your booty bouncin'!
Heather - So many reasons! First and foremost, the people! I feel like everyone (ryders and instructors) really care about each other. You know you're at a good place when you are sweating and smiling while exercising!
Belinda - I absolutely love it; the owners are amazing and they hire energetic instructors that push us. The classes are so much fun and the music is great.
What did you do for fitness prior to Power Ryde?
Brandi - Before PR, and after my surgery, I was walking for exercise.
Heather - If running your kids around counted as exercise...but honestly, having three kids was my excuse for not exercising. I did a DVD here and there, but nothing else.
Belinda - Yoga and boot camp.
What goals has Power Ryde helped you achieve?
Brandi - PR has helped me feel great...I don't know that I "look" great but I feel like I look great :) I've gone down 2 sizes comfortably and I have much more energy.
Heather - The biggest goal is I'm now taking time for me and making exercise a priority. <---Wow, we love this!
Belinda - I am in the best shape of my life. <---Again, AMAZING!
What goals are you hoping to achieve in 2017?
Brandi - My 40th birthday is coming up and I'm looking forward to wearing a bikini on the beach thanks to PR. PR has become a routine in my life that I look forward to! I will also be walking 40 miles at the Avon 39 Walk to End Breast Cancer in September. Check your tatas!
Heather - I am hoping to continue ryding and adding some sort of weight training to tone up.
Belinda - Continued strength, discipline, endurance, and fun.
Do you have a favorite moment that you remember at Power Ryde?
Brandi - My favorite memory of PR is the first class where I actually could do ALL of the instructors directions on the bike. I felt like I had come so far in stamina and the healing of my knee.
Heather - I remember doing my first double the day before Thanksgiving - wasn't sure I was ready for it, but thought it was a great opportunity to try! One moment that is very special to me (and she doesn't know this) was during one of Erinn's classes. I had been coming to PR for about 2 months (3 times a week) and I was still struggling (couldn't stand on the bike, hard time keeping up and couldn't believe how weak I had become from not exercising). Erinn played one of her motivational songs and I shut my eyes and cried (in the middle of class - thank goodness I was in the corner!!). It was that moment that I told myself to be proud of making the commitment to better myself and to stick with it! And now I'm not embarrassed to sit towards the front :)
Belinda - It is not one moment, it is how I miss it when I can't make it and how I enjoy it when I am there riding 24 miles at 5:30 am.
What is your favorite music to ryde to?
Brandi - My favorite music to listen to at PR is gangsta because what says gangsta like yoga pants, disco ball, and Eminem?!
Heather - It just depends on my mood. I love a slower climbing song to shut my eyes and just focus. Everything else just pumps me up. Music is a huge mood lifter for me, so I always leave feeling pumped up!
Belinda - I really like all of the music.
Tell us a fun fact about your yourself.
Brandi - Fun fact about me....hmmmmmm...I LOVE to dance....I'm just going to leave it there.
Heather - Hmmmm....I met my husband on match.com
Belinda - I am the mother of 8 year old twins.
What motivates you?
Brandi - My husband and my girls motivate me...because I honestly don't know what they'd do if I wasn't around. Plus I want to wear a bikini.
Heather - I motivate myself by setting small goals. I am also motivated by those around me. So many of you other ryders probably have no idea how much you push me!!!
Belinda - I am motivated to be the best I can be.
When you are not Power Ryding, what can we find you doing?
Brandi- When not at PR you'll find me teaching the most awesome kiddos or you'll find me coaching the best girls ever or you'll find me working on Loveland Youth Soccer Association duties!
Heather - I teach 3rd grade part time. I have an 11 year-old son (Drew) that is a competitive gymnast, an 8 year-old daughter (Caroline) who loves soccer, and a 4 year-old son (Chase) that is in preschool and keeps me on my toes. So I spend a lot of time running the kids around :)
Belinda - Working and being a mom.
^As I mentioned above, these mamas are BUSY, BUSY, BUSY but they find time to make time to commit to themselves!
