Ladies Meet Ashley Ander, Founder and Owner of Ride Cycle Club Written By Ashley Basran Spin classes are in! Hop on a bike and get ready to work your core, arms, back, butt and legs. Ashley Ander is a Spin Instructor at Ride Cycle Club in Vancouver. Join one of her classes and she’ll be sure to have you dripping in sweat from head to toe. Ride Cycle Club is a popular 55 minute intense indoor cycling workout designed to strengthen your body and mind. Read on to learn how Ride Cycle Club came to be and what motivates and inspires Ashley about her kick-butt workouts!
Q. How would you describe a spin class at Ride Cycle Club in 5 words?
1) SWEATY 2) INSPIRATIONAL 3) SEXY 4) EMOTIONAL 5) EXTRAORDINARY
Q. Do you have any tips/advice to keep motivated when it comes to getting a great sweat sesh in?
Give 100% with whatever you’re doing. Close your eyes, set an intention, breathe and smile. Live your life to be extraordinary not mediocre.
Q. What can a newbie expect for their first spin class at Ride Cycle Club?
Each class is 55 min long in a dimly lit room. Our instructor rides on a platform illuminated by candles; and coaches the room of 35 like-minded riders to push themselves using the beat of the music as a guide. RIDE is a full body workout – we incorporate push-ups, core toning movements and a short 6-7 minute arm workout in to the RIDE. We end each RIDE by re- centering your energy and setting an intention for your day. I always say to new riders, you must come at least three times. 1st time you sweat so much you don’t know what hit you, the second time you know what to expect and the third time you are all about finding and hitting that beat. At the end of the day, it’s about having fun, getting sweaty and getting you off the couch.
Q. How did Ride Cycle Club come to be and how does it differ from other Spin studios?
I discovered spin as I was living in NYC. I immediately fell head over heels in love with it. I loved the loud music, the group mentality and the sweat. When I moved back to Vancouver I knew right away that I wanted to open my own studio. I began teaching classes all over the city and built up a following. Now here we are with RIDE! At RIDE, our instructors are there to strengthen both mind and body in our 55-minute classes. We coach our classes to ride together, using the beat of the music to drive their pedal stroke; which creates an amazing pack-like environment in class. We are there to work together, and you feel a true team vibe in each class.
Q. Where do you draw inspiration?
I draw inspiration from everything that surrounds me! Magazines, blogs and music are a huge one. The right song can be a game changer; it can lift you up and take your day to another level. I also surround myself with positive like-minded people. People can inspire you and help you create new opportunities.
Finish these sentences….
Happiness is…. Spin class then a Margherita pizza with Arugula drenched in Chili oil from Nicli Antica pizzeria in Gastown, a glass of red wine and being surrounded with friends and family with great music playing in the background.
Sweat…. “Girl I want to make you sweat, sweat till you can’t sweat no more” That’s what immediately came to my mind. I LOVE to SWEAT. There is nothing better than taking a class and leaving the room drenched from head to toe. If I’m not sweating then I am not working hard enough.
When I spin…. I walk into a room where I get to lose myself. Let everything I was thinking about from my day go, let my body work to its full potential. Create new boundaries for myself to conquer, all while listening to awesome music.
Coffee… I don’t drink it. I am more an Earl Grey with almond milk and honey type of girl.
Love…. I have been in a relationship full of love with my boyfriend for the past 6 years. It’s fabulous. I am fully surrounded by love in every aspect of my life! From my parents to my workplace! I’m pretty lucky.
Pink Tank Group 