Ride with Tommy!

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Track List - Saturday, August 30, 2014

1. Chandelier (remix) - Sia
2. Birthday - Katy Perry
3. All About That Bass - Meghan Trainor
4. Bang Bang - Jessie J featuring Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj
5. Undressed (remix) - Kim Cesarion
6. Fade Into Darkness (remix) - Avicii
7. Sleeping With A Friend - Neon Trees
8. Bailando - Enrique Iglesias featuring Sean Paul
10. Work - Iggy Azalea
11. Dare You (remix) - Hardwell featuring Matthew Koma
12. Walking On Air (remix) - Lance Bass & Anice K. featuring Belle Blue
13. When I Was Your Man (cover of Bruno Mars) - Boyce Avenue
14. Because Of You (cover of Neyo) - Boyce Avenue
15. Nothin' On You, My Love, Rocketeer (cover of B.o.B., Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake & Far East Movement

Responsibility. As an instructor, you will hear me talk a lot about commitment, energy, focus, dedication, desire for change, working for results, reaching a goal. What you haven't really heard me talk a lot about is responsibility. It is Labor Day weekend 2014. We are celebrating the workforce that makes this free country so great. Without taking anything away from that, I also want to incorporate another kind of labor. No, not the kind of labor that women go through to bring a new life into this world, as important as that kind of labor is. But the kind of labor that one must go through to be successful. And again, I'm not going to go completely philosophical here, but talking about fitness and health provides an equally important type of responsibility that I want to address. As a person that is interested in maintaining one's health, and I have to assume that anyone that joins a gym, that takes a group fitness class, hires a personal trainer or even someone that walks 20 minutes a day or runs or plays pick-up basketball, that this person is at the very least slightly interested in maintaining their health. If you are indeed interested in maintaining your health, then you have a responsibility to yourself. You have a responsibility to work at committing to a program. You have a responsibility to commit to eating healthy. If you choose to ignore this responsibility, then you have to live with the results of that choice. Such results usually include a less than healthy lifestyle. Increased illness or pain. The inability to do as much as you would like. Body weight and body fat at much higher than healthy levels. Less successful results in many aspects of your life. I hope that any of you reading this are not in that segment of the population that shuns this responsibility. It is proven that a healthier lifestyle can lead to greater success in other aspects of your life. So it is this responsibility that I can talk about and encourage. I can encourage it in my classes. I can encourage you to commit to this responsibility outside of my classes, but again, that is all I can do, encourage. However, I have a responsibility to everyone that takes my class to be a type of instructor that provides the opportunity to change. To provide the opportunity that gets results. And I can only do this the best way I know how. So I will make an assumption that everyone in my class wants to take on the responsibility to one's self, and as a member of a group fitness class, the responsibility to everyone else in class. Yes, I'll say it again. As a member of a group fitness class, you have a responsibility not only to get the best ride possible for yourself, but to do your part in creating an environment that allows EVERYONE in class to get the best possible ride. This means, and this is not coming from a place of pride or ego, but as an instructor that cares and wants that best possible ride for everyone, that everyone follows the framework or path that the instructor lays out before each of you. It isn't really an option to decide if you want to be member of the class and do the provided workout to the best of your ability. That is what you sign up for when you sign up for a group fitness class. And it isn't really an option for anyone to come into the class to do their own thing with disregard for the instructor and all the other riders in class. I repeat, NOT AN OPTION! Yet, I see this often. And specifically, I saw this a lot in this morning's class. Whew, I am being so long-winded today. Kind of like in my classes! Well, to get off of my proverbial soapbox, I've made my point. I want everyone to have the best ride possible so that they can get the best and most results possible. I want everyone to feel welcome in my class. But I want everyone to be aware of the responsibilities that come with being a part of not only my class but any spin class or group fitness class. Realize that there are other people in class; realize that class is not only about you and no one else. It is important to commit to and be responsible for your own ride, but know that being a part of a class carries a responsibility to help create that positive energy that allows for the most change by the most people in class. Do the work. Be a part. Labor for the results. Create a positive change. Be happier. Live longer. Be successful. Ride with Tommy! See you Monday morning, Labor Day, 9:30am for the next Red Line Ride! Have a safe, fun and memorable weekend! In good health, tommy

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Track List - Sexy Spin, Thursday, August 28, 2014

1. Against All Odds (remix) - Kira
2. All About That Bass - Meghan Trainor
3. Bang Bang - Jessie J featuring Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj
4. Touch The Sky - Kanye West
5. Am I Wrong (remix) - Nico & Vinz
6. LA Dodgers Firework Mashup - DJ Manny Lehman featuring Madonna, Mariah, Whitney, Mary J., Avicii, Demi and Idina
7. Wind It Up - Gwen Stefani
8. Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
9. How Will I Know (remix) - Whitney Houston
10. Justified & Ancient - KLF featuring Tammy Wynette
11. How Will I Know - Sam Smith (acoustic cover of Whitney Houston)
12. Amnesia - 5 Seconds Of Summer

Thanks so much to all of you that made it to class and took part in making it indeed a Sexy Spin! Class has been getting crazy good lately! Again, thanks to all of you for your commitment, energy, determination and desire for a positive change! Labor Day weekend is upon us and there will most definitely be a lot of opportunities to celebrate the end of summer, beginning of fall, friendships, pools, the beach, and the good fortune that so many of us enjoy as members of the work force - in whatever capacity that may be. Many of you have heard me say this before, but we always have something to celebrate! So I hope that you all take the chance to enjoy friends, family, loved ones, significant others, new relationships, lasting ones and all the good people with which we surround ourselves. And I would also like to make an extra effort to encourage you all to celebrate your health! Celebrate the ability to get up each morning. Celebrate the ability to take part in your favorite spin class. Celebrate the steps you take to make yourself healthier. Celebrate the things you do to improve your mental and physical well-being. I know I celebrate each one of you for your support and taking part in the Ride with Tommy! I am grateful, inspired, happy, motivated and challenged when in the same room with you. So thank you for all that you do...in class, for yourselves, as you celebrate the amazing life you live, and as we celebrate Labor Day weekend 2014. I will be teaching my regular schedule all weekend so I hope to see you Saturday morning at 9:45am or Monday morning at 9:30am for the Red Line Ride. Have a great, fun and safe weekend! Until I see you next, in good health, tommy

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Track List - #totalrequestride, Wednesday, August 27, 2014

1. Against All Odds (remix) - Kira
2. All About That Bass - Meghan Trainor
3. Bang Bang - Jessie J featuring Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj
4. Touch The Sky - Kanye West
5. Am I Wrong (remix) - Nico & Vinz
6. LA Dodgers Firework Mashup - DJ Manny Lehman featuring Madonna, Mariah, Whitney, Mary J., Avicii, Demi and Idina
7. Wind It Up - Gwen Stefani
8. Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
9. How Will I Know (remix) - Whitney Houston
10. Justified & Ancient - KLF featuring Tammy Wynette
11. How Will I Know - Sam Smith (acoustic cover of Whitney Houston)
12. Amnesia - 5 Seconds Of Summer

Did you tweet your requests to @crunchgym followed by the #totalrequestride? If so, then you probably heard your favorite song in class this morning. And many others across the country heard it, too! That's right, tweet your favorite songs, CRUNCH will compile the requests into a list and then distribute that list to #totalrequestride instructors in Crunch gyms all across the country. In addition, you automatically become eligible to win an iTunes gift card! How cool is that?!?! I had a lot of fun putting this morning's track list together featuring the requests, "Touch The Sky" by Kanye, "Wind It Up" by Gwen Stefani, and "How Will I Know" by Whitney Houston. And then I of course threw in some of my personal favorites, including a mashup/medley by my good friend, DJ Manny Lehman that he created for the recent LGBT Night Out at Dodger Stadium last week featuring Madonna, Mariah, Whitney, Mary J., Avicii, Demi and Idina! I hope y'all had fun AND an intense Ride! I know I did! Remember, #totalrequestride every Wednesday at 9:30am, Crunch Fitness - Sunset! Hope to see you there! In good health, tommy

Monday, August 25, 2014

Track List - Red Line Ride, Monday, August 25, 2014

1. Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - U2
2. 4 Minutes (remix) - Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake & Timbaland
3. Tainted Love (remix) - Depeche Mode
4. A Sky Full Of Stars (remix) - Coldplay featuring Avicii
5. Anaconda - Nicki Minaj
6. Fat Bottomed Girls - Queen
7. Where The Streets Have No Name - U2
8. Black Widow - Iggy Azalea featuring Rita Ora
9. We Will Rock You (fatboy slim remix) - Queen
10. Wonderwall (ryan kenney & ido remix) - Oasis
11. The Scientist More Than Words (mashup) - DJ Mighty Mike featuring Coldplay & Extreme
12. Invisible ((RED) edit) - U2
13. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (cover of the Smiths) - Joseph Arthur

Have you tried the Red Line Ride at Crunch Fitness - Sunset yet? Every Monday and Friday at 9:30am. A heart-rate monitor based class that is motivational, fun and educational! You work hard...maybe harder because you have the numbers and colors on the screen at the front of class helping push and challenge you! You learn a lot about what your heart rate does in reaction to the challenges and obstacles that you place before it! And it is all set to the most motivating and fun variety of popular music to help you get through class to the end before you know it! And at the end of class, I can show you summary results of your Ride! Average heart rate, estimated total calories burned, and even a graph of your heart rate throughout the Ride! Yes, all this can happen when you take the Ride with Tommy!'s Red Line Ride on Mondays and Fridays at 9:30am at Crunch. And this morning, we even celebrated Rusty's birthday! Thanks for the requests, Rusty! I really enjoyed taking some amazing, classic spin music and putting a new "spin" on it. I hope you enjoyed it, and I hope you have an amazing birthday! Thanks for celebrating your special day with us in the Ride with Tommy! Now, see how much fun we have?!?! If you haven't been yet, come join us! Hope to see you there! In good health, tommy

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Track List - Saturday, August 23, 2014

1. Scream - Michael & Janet Jackson
2. Break Free - Ariana Grande featuring Zedd
3. Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
4. Maps (remix) - Maroon 5
5. Fancy Groove (mashup) - DJ MixmstrStel featuring Madonna, Iggy Azalea & Charli XCX
6. Hard - Rihanna featuring Young Jeezy
7. Rather Be - Clean Bandits
8. Survivor - Destiny's Child
9. Really Don't Care (remix) - Demi Lovato featuring Cher Lloyd
10. Best Song Ever (remix) - One Direction
11. Back For Good - Boyce Avenue('s cover of Take That)
12. Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper featuring Sarah McLachlan
13. Against All Odds - Phil Collins

Never let yourself get stuck in a rut. This statement can be applied to so many situations. I like to apply it to my classes of course (which is obviously why I am including it in my post here today!) You always hear that it is good to change up your workout. Change is good. When you change up your workout or when I change up the format of my class, it forces your body to react to this change. Your body is reacting to something different. So you are having to pay more attention or focus to this change. You may feel a little less secure or even a little less "successful" in your workout as a result of this change. But let me assure you that those feelings of insecurity or lack of accomplishment are signs of growth and strengthening. I almost hate to use the terms "less successful" or "lack of accomplishment" because in actuality, it is indeed just the opposite. Just as you may feel less confident or secure when you increase the weight in your workout or go from a 10-turn hill to a 20-turn hill in the Ride, you will indeed be increasing and improving your results because of it. You will get stronger. You will burn more calories. You will make a difference. You will make a positive change. Trust. Commit to the change. Commit to working through it. Have confidence that after a few reps or a few days working through the new change, you will feel stronger, more confident and successful once again. Then it will be time to change it up again! Yes! So don't get stuck in a rut! Make a change. Make a difference! Do it! Commit to it! Thanks for being a part of and your support of the Ride with Tommy! See you next time! In good health, tommy

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Track List - Sexy Spin, Thursday, August 21, 2014

1. We Belong Together (remix) - Mariah Carey
2. Maps (remix) - Maroon 5 featuring Big Sean
3. I Dare You (remix) - Hardwell featuring Matthew Koma
4. Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
5. The King Of ArtPop Megamix (mashup/concept album) - DJ Robin Skouteris featuring Michael Jackson & Lady Gaga
6. Time Of Our Lives - Paul Van Dyk
7. Fireball - Pitbull featuring John Ryan
8. Am I Wrong (In C Minor)(mashup) - DJs MixmstrStel & BringMeTheMashup featuring Nico & Vinz & 33 artists
9. Running Happy (mashup) - DJ Chocomang featuring Pharrell Williams & Airbourne
10. Fast Car (cover of Tracy Chapman) - Boyce Avenue
11. Life Of The Party - Shawn Mendes
12. Faithfully (cover of Journey) - Boyce Avenue

Sometimes a single song can inspire the entire track list for a class. Sometimes, that song is more of an event than just a song. This is one of those times. DJ Robin Skouteris has been one of my favorite mashup artists for a long time. When I came across his project of creating a "concept album" using the songs from Lady Gaga's ArtPop album and "mashing" them up with many of Michael Jackson's hits, I was very excited at the prospects. Then when I listened to the 9-minute Megamix, I was convinced that I had to incorporate it into class. Yes, it is a little longer than most songs I use, but I am always excited and always look forward to changing things up a bit. So, I incorporated the monumental 20-turn hill into the middle of class! Throwing some of the newest releases before and after it as well as a few flashbacks to round out the motivation, the challenges, and the fun helped make this morning's class one of my favorites. And it being Sexy Spin, well, when you work as hard as you all did in class this morning while keeping your positive energy, great attitude and desire to create a positive change, the sexy factor was through the roof! Thanks to all of you for making it all happen this morning! Let's do it all again tomorrow! Remember, Friday is the Red Line Ride at 9:30am. Hope to see you there! Until then, in good health, tommy

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Track List - #totalrequestride, Wednesday, August 20, 2014

1. Scream - Michael & Janet Jackson
2. Break Free - Ariana Grande featuring Zedd
3. Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
4. Maps (remix) - Maroon 5
5. Fancy Groove (mashup) - DJ MixmstrStel featuring Madonna, Iggy Azalea & Charli XCX
6. Hard - Rihanna featuring Young Jeezy
7. Rather Be - Clean Bandits
8. Survivor - Destiny's Child
9. Really Don't Care (remix) - Demi Lovato featuring Cher Lloyd
10. Best Song Ever (remix) - One Direction
11. Back For Good - Boyce Avenue('s cover of Take That)
12. Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper featuring Sarah McLachlan
13. Against All Odds - Phil Collins

This week's #totalrequestride featured songs from requested music videos "Scream" by Michael & Janet Jackson, "Hard" by Rihanna featuring Young Jeezy and "Survivor" by Destiny's Child. And I was able to throw in some new and exciting music as well. I LOVE Taylor Swift's new song, "Shake It Off", from her upcoming album! It is so upbeat, fun and happy! It reminds me of Pharrell's "Happy". It makes me happy, and I think it is a great jog. I hope you all enjoyed it as well! I also enjoy Ariana Grande's "Break Free", Maroon 5's "Maps" and Demi Lovato's "Really Don't Care". I threw in a mashup, "Fancy Groove", by DJ MixmstrStel featuring Madonna, Iggy Azalea & Charli XCX. Then we cooled down with one of my new obsessions, Boyce Avenue, and their cover of Take That's "Back For Good". So good! And rounded it all out by cooling down to some flashbacks from the '80s, two of my favorite ballads, Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" and Phil Collins' "Against All Odds". I don't think I have to reiterate that as an instructor, I choose each song for the rhythm or the beat to set the pace at which we pedal during our Ride. Sometimes, I get so excited with the way a musical choice works out in class. I always hope that a song will increase motivation, focus and the challenge for a rider. Sometimes, it works out better than hoped. I love it when that happens! I had a great time in this week's #totalrequestride at CRUNCH Fitness on Sunset. Thanks for being a part of it! In good health, tommy

Friday, August 15, 2014

Guy B. to sub the Ride with Tommy! tomorrow morning, Saturday, August 16, 2014, 9:45am

Guy B. has agreed to cover my class tomorrow morning, Satuday, August 16, 2014, at 9:45am. I hope you all stay committed to your workouts and make it to Guy's class. He is an amazing instructor as many of you already know.

I will be "back in the saddle" on Monday morning, August 18th, at 9:30am for the next edition of the Red Line Ride! I hope to see you then!

In good health,

tommy

Track List - Sexy Spin, Thursday, August 14, 2014

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Track List - #totalrequestride, Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Saturday, August 09, 2014

Track List - Saturday, August 9, 2014

1. Run This Town In D Minor (mashup) - DJs From Mars featuring Jay-Z, Kanye West, Rihanna & Johann Sebastian Bach
2. Money Grabber - Fitz And The Tantrums
3. Walking On Air (Dave Aude club mix) - Lance Bass & Anice K. featuring Belle Blue
4. Sugar, She Looks So Perfect (mashup) - DJ MixmstrStel featuring 5 Seconds Of Summer & Fall Out Boy
5. Wasted (remix) - Tiesto featuring Matthew Koma
6. Jungle (remix) - X Ambassadors & Jamie N Commons featuring Jay-Z
7. Like A G6 - Far East Movement
8. Cool Kids - Echosmith
9. 99 Red Problems (mashup) - DJ MixmstrStel featuring Nena & Jay-Z
10. Somebody Loves Summer (mashup) - DJ Titus Jones featuring Calvin Harris, Betty Who & Whitney Houston
11. How Will I Know (acoustic ballad cover of Whitny Houston) - Sam Smith
12. Red Light Special - TLC
13. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (cover of The Smiths) - Joseph Arthur

Another great Ride this morning! Thanks to all who shared their time, effort, energy, focus, commitment, determination and desire with me and the rest of class this morning! You all were amazing! I had fun planning and executing the class for and with you all. I hope you each moved closer to realizing your own personal goals. I hope each of you pushed yourself out of your comfort zones and made a difference, a positive change. I hope you all worked hard, intensely. I hope you all perfected your form during your Ride so that your effort was as efficient as possible! As effective and productive as possible! And I wish you all had fun while working so hard. As I often say, I hope the time that you were working "flew by"! I hope class was over way faster than you thought. You do more in 45 minutes than most people do all day (which is kinda sad, but also pretty true!) And even more unfotunately, you did more in that 45 minutes than some people do all week! Or ever! So be proud of what you accomplished. It doesn't matter how it relates to the others in class. What is most important is that you make that difference. Only you know how much of a difference you can make. How much of a difference you actually made. And I hope that it was more than you thought you could! I hope that it was more than you thought possible. I hope you exceeded your expectations! Now go out and enjoy the weekend! See you Monday! In good health, tommy

I am subbing this morning's 9:30am Ride for Guy B.

Thanks for entrusting me with your class, Guy B! I look forward to Riding with them!

Thursday, August 07, 2014

Track List - Sexy Spin, Thursday, August 7, 2014

1. Partition (remix) - Beyonce'
2. Jealous (remix) - Chromeo
3. Telephone (remix) - Lady Gaga featuring Beyonce'
4. Chandelier (remix) - Sia
5. Me And My Girlfriend - Jay-Z featuring Beyonce'
6. Turn Down For What - DJ Snake & Lil Jon
7. Larger Than Life - Backstreet Boys
8. Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) - Beyonce'
9. Brave (DJs Blackow & Figares remix) - Sara Bareilles
10. Ring The Alarm (remix) - Beyonce'
11. Halo - Beyonce'
12. Chasing Cars That Way (mashup) - DJs Dan Mei & Marc Johnce featuring Snow Patrol & The Backstreet Boys
13. At Last - Beyonce'

Change it up! You may hear this about a lot of things. You should hear this often when discussing your workouts. It is always good to change things up. It is important to include some weight training along with your cardiovascular exercise to obtain the best physical and mental condition possible. I often talk about how great it is to do yoga or pilates in addition to spinning. Periodically changing your workouts is great for increasing results. A variety of workouts is awesome for your body and your mind. It will help prevent you from getting bored with your workouts. It will help you achieve your goals faster. It forces your body to adjust or react to the changes. It is often hard to do. When you make a change, you feel a little out of control. You feel like you are not able to "successfully" accomplish as much. Well, this is when you are doing the best! In class, I often talk about pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. A workout should not feel comfortable. It should not feel easy. Committing and focusing on an intense workout, with proper form, should require you to realize that you are pushing and challenging yourself. You should feel the difference. You should also feel the results. You should also feel the accomplishment when the workout is over. You should also feel the accomplishment over time as your body reacts to the changes by getting stronger, feeling better, and maybe even looking a little better on the outside. I wish this for all of you. Let me help you all that I can! Thanks for the opportunity! Let's do this. Together. Let's change it up! In good health, tommy

Wednesday, August 06, 2014

Track List - #totalrequestride, Wednesday, August 6, 2014

1. Run This Town In D Minor (mashup) - DJs From Mars featuring Jay-Z, Kanye West, Rihanna & Johann Sebastian Bach
2. Money Grabber - Fitz And The Tantrums
3. Walking On Air (Dave Aude club mix) - Lance Bass & Anice K. featuring Belle Blue
4. Sugar, She Looks So Perfect (mashup) - DJ MixmstrStel featuring 5 Seconds Of Summer & Fall Out Boy
5. Wasted (remix) - Tiesto featuring Matthew Koma
6. Jungle (remix) - X Ambassadors & Jamie N Commons featuring Jay-Z
7. Like A G6 - Far East Movement
8. Cool Kids - Echosmith
9. 99 Red Problems (mashup) - DJ MixmstrStel featuring Nena & Jay-Z
10. Somebody Loves Summer (mashup) - DJ Titus Jones featuring Calvin Harris, Betty Who & Whitney Houston
11. How Will I Know (acoustic ballad cover of Whitny Houston) - Sam Smith
12. Red Light Special - TLC
13. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (cover of The Smiths) - Joseph Arthur

I love bringing back music from the past and having it meet and mix in with the new hits of today. I will often play mashups because they do just this. And I have found some great deejays that do a great job of smoothly mixing the different songs together without it sounding too "jarring" or "harsh" or "forced". And of course, there must be a beat or rhythm that motivates and pushes riders to work hard to stay on the beat while peddling through different levels of resistance. The music will hopefully drive the riders to work harder and focus more on the workout so that when it is over, time will have seemed to "fly by"! How great is that?!?! Doing the work while getting so caught up in the intensity of the challenges that you forget to worry about how long 45 minutes is! That is a sign of a good class. That is one of my primary goals when planning my classes. I hope you find this to be true in my classes. I hope to see you soon in one (or many) of my classes. Thanks for being a part of the Ride with Tommy! In good health, tommy

Saturday, August 02, 2014

Subs for The Ride with Tommy! Saturday, August 2 - Monday, August 4, 2014

I will not be teaching class today, Saturday, August 2nd and Monday, August 4th. Here are the amazing instructors who will be teaching instead:

Saturday, August 2, 9:45am - Kyler Madeira
Monday, August 4, 9:30am - Matt Ryan (this will be a regular Ride, NOT a Red Line Ride)

I will be back in the instructor saddle on Tuesday morning, August 5th at 7:00am! See you then!

Be sure to stay committed to your workouts and Rides! Have a great weekend!

In good health,

tommy

Friday, August 01, 2014

Track List - 16th Anniversary Ride, Friday, August 1, 2014

1. Control - Janet Jackson
2. I Love Summertime Cool Kids (mashup) - DJ Titus Jones featuring Icona Pop, Lana Del Rey, Echosmith & Nonono
3. Superbad - Jesse McCartney
4. Baby Baby (remix) - Amy Grant
5. Be Okay - Oh Honey
6. Boom Clap (mashup) - DJ Mixmstrstel featuring Charli XCX, Gwen Stefani, Paramore, Kurtis Blow, Busta Rhymes, Ashlee Simpson, DJ Jazzy Jeff & L'Trimm
7. Come With Me Now - Kongos
8. Stay With Me (remix) - Sam Smith
9. A Sky Full Of Stars (remix) - Coldplay
10. Wrong Message (mashup) - DJ Mixmstrstel featuring The Police, Nico & Vinz
11. Stay, Adam (mashup) - DJ Mixmstrstel featuring Rihanna & Blink-182
12. That's What Love Is For - Amy Grant
13. I Have Nothing (piano instrumental) - Tariq Wingrove

I am so grateful to be able to teach spinning. I am so grateful, honored and humbled to be in the position to help people with their physical and mental well-being. Because, truly, that is what working out can do. Indoor cycling can not only help you physically by helping burn calories, burn bodyfat, increase definition, increase your lung capacity and strengthen your muscles (your most important muscle - your heart!), it can also help your mental health and well-being as well. I will sometimes say in class, "Leave your problems at the door, 'cuz this is your time." No one else's time but yours. You deserve to treat yourself well. You deserve to work to improve your health. And having the opportunity to help others improve their physical and mental health and well-being is a responsibility that I do not take lightly. I work hard to provide an intense, challenging, fun and safe class for everyone. I have fun doing it. I hope you all do, too. I have been so fortunate to be and have been an instructor for 16 years. It has been an amazing Ride! Thanks to all who have ridden with me. I look forward to Riding with you all again soon and often! In good health, tommy

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Track List - Sexy Spin, Thursday, July 31, 2014

1. Ain't It Fun - Paramore
2. Me And My Broken Heart - Rixton
3. Best Day Of My Life - American Authors
4. Story Of My Life (remix) - One Direction
5. I Dare You (remix) - Hardwell featuring Matthew Koma
6. 2 For Tom's Diner (mashup) - DJ MixmstrStel featuring Suzanne Vega & Tinashe
7. The Walker - Fitz And The Tantrums
8. Cruel Summertime Love (mashup) - DJ Dan Mei featuring Icona Pop, Lana Del Rey, Linkin Park, Ace Of Base, etc.
9. Where Love Lives (Frankie Knuckles remix) - Alison Limerick
10. Love Never Felt So Good (remix) - Michael Jackson
11. Wake Me Up (Avicii cover) - Glee Cast (Lea Michelle)
12. Latch - Disclosure featuring Sam Smith

Tomorrow I'll be celebrating the 16th anniversary of teaching my very first spin class! On August 2nd, 1998, I taught my very first spin class at Todd Tramp's Bodysculpting LA. That seems like a lifetime ago! Well, a lot has changed since then. I have certainly changed a lot since then. I have done a lot of growing up. I have done a lot of learning...about myself, about life, about health and fitness, and about teaching. I hope that I am able to share with you some of the knowledge that I have acquired, some of the lessons that I have learned, some of the most inspiring and motivational methods that I have experienced. At about the same time as I started teaching at Bodysculpting, I began teaching at Crunch Fitness - Sunset. Thanks to Kendell Hogan for believing in me (and still believing in me!) and giving my the chance to start and the continued support as an instructor at one of the best spinning facilities in Los Angeles! I'm still excited to be teaching here at CRUNCH (now exclusively!) It is a fun place to work with a lot of great energy and a philosophy for always offering cutting-edge classes with the best instructors anywhere! So come Ride with me tomorrow morning, Friday, August 1st at 9:30am. It will be a Red Line Ride, a heart-rate monitor based class which is a lot of fun and educational, too! I hope to see you then. For now, here is this morning's track list. I had a great Ride with all of you this morning! Let's do it! In good health, tommy

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Track List - #totalrequestride, Wednesday, July 30, 2014

1. Partition (remix) - Beyonce'
2. Jealous (remix) - Chromeo
3. Telephone (remix) - Lady Gaga featuring Beyonce'
4. Chandelier (remix) - Sia
5. Me And My Girlfriend - Jay-Z featuring Beyonce'
6. Turn Down For What - DJ Snake & Lil Jon
7. Larger Than Life - Backstreet Boys
8. Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) - Beyonce'
9. Brave (DJs Blackow & Figares remix) - Sara Bareilles
10. Ring The Alarm (remix) - Beyonce'
11. Halo - Beyonce'
12. Chasing Cars That Way (mashup) - DJs Dan Mei & Marc Johnce featuring Snow Patrol & The Backstreet Boys
13. At Last - Beyonce'

I get my inspiration for music choices from some very interesting places. Of course, with the #totalrequestride, the initial inspiration comes from your requests. This summer, as the #totalreqeustride consists of 3 video requests that come from CRUNCH members across the country, I try to play those requests as long as they don't sacrifice the authenticity of the Ride with Tommy! In the case of this morning's class, the original wording of some of the requests were "ANYTHING" from Beyonce' and "ANYTHING" from the Backstreet Boys. Well, this was very easy for me as I have always loved the Backstreet Boys and there are so many great Beyonce' songs. So I decided to play a FEW songs from Beyonce' and a FEW songs from the Backstreet Boys. It almost became a theme! The 3rd video request was for Sara Bareilles' "Brave". I love the remix that my good friend DJ Blacklow made so I used that version. One of the favorite songs of both my sons, Aiden and Austin, happens to be DJ Snake & Lil Jon's "Turn Down For What". They heard it while at Sports Camp earlier this summer. I included it so we could listen to my class track list while on the way to drop them off at summer camp. They loved it and were so excited I was going to play one of their favorite songs in my class! I always love a fun song with a hard, driving beat to it and this is just one of those songs! So, I love that I have the opportunity to teach a class that can so often do so much good for those that Ride with me where I get to be somewhat of a DJ by creating a playlist that is made up of a variety of fun, motivating, beat-driven music! I am so lucky! Thanks to all of you that Ride with me and give me the honor of being an instructor and quite possibly changing lives for the better! I hope to see you in class soon! Request it! Ride to it! Let's do it! Ride with Tommy! In good health, tommy

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Track List - Saturday, July 26, 2014

1. The Walker (remix) - Fitz And The Tantrums
2. On Top Of The World - Imagine Dragons
3. Love Runs Out - OneRepublic
4. Summer (remix) - Calvin Harris
5. What A Feeling (remix) - Alex Gaudino featuring Kelly Rowland
6. Not A Bad Thing - Justin Timberlake
7. Mmm Yeah - Austin Mahone featuring Pitbull
8. Party Ain't Over - Pitbull featuring Usher & Afrojack
9. Chandelier (remix) - Sia
10. When Love Takes Over (remix) - David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland
11. Life Of The Party - Shawn Mendes
12. Human - Christina Perri

Beginners. Experienced Riders. People trying to lose weight. People trying to maintain. People trying to improve their overall cardiovascular fitness level. People just trying to get through a spin class. The Ride with Tommy! is for everyone. That doesn't mean that my class is primarily for beginners. It is my goal as an instructor to make everyone of my classes accessible and doable for beginners while making it as challenging as possible for experienced Riders. Dance. Pop. Hip hop. Alternative. R&B. I try to play music that is motivational and inspiring to everyone. I try to play a wide variety of music crossing many genres (while not straying too far from the mainstream) so that at least at one point during class, everyone could quite possible say to themselves, "Yeah! I LOVE this song!" Positive. Upbeat. Motivational. Inspiring. Challenging. Fun. I choose the songs used in my class specifically for the beat or the rhythm so that they can be applied effectively for a specific activity or challenge. I want the beat of the song to make the Rider want to work hard to get and stay on the rhythm, even - no, especially - when there is resistance on the bike. I want the Rider to have fun while undertaking intense challenges that push the heart rate up, burn calories, burn bodyfat, and even more importantly, strengthen muscles. I want the Rider to think back at the end of class and think, "Wow! Time really flew by! And I really gave it my all! I really accomplished something! I made a positive change or difference!" Form. Position. Safety. Movement. Focus. Energy. Dedication. Commitment. I stress the importance of proper form so much in class. I want every Rider to focus on correct form so that the Ride is efficient, focused, with as little risk of injury as possible. As the instructor, I have laid the groundwork. I have created the journey. I have provided the path. I provide verbal instruction and encouragement. I explain movements and form. I want the entire class to have the best Ride that is completely possible for everyone. I want everyone to push their limits. I want each Rider to exceed their expectations. I want each Rider to do more than they thought they could. So it is with all of this in mind that I approach every class. I have a great responsibility to bring a complete, thorough and successful product to the room. Yet, the success of each individual's Ride is still left up to that individual. This is the reason I encourage and motivate during the Ride. I bring as many tools as possible to the Ride so that everyone can have a successful Ride that brings them closer to achieving their own personal goals. But class is the most successful when each Rider commits to the journey, the proper form, the movement, and the intensity. Class is most successful when each Rider participates as a member of the group and not so much as an individual. It is a group fitness class after all. Together, we can accomplish so much. Together, we can make that positive difference. Together, we can reach goals. Together, we can have fun. This is what I wish for each Rider in the Ride with Tommy! In good health, tommy

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Track List - Sexy Spin, Thursday, July 24, 2014

1. First Love (remix) - Jennifer Lopez
2. Am I Wrong - Nico & Vinz
3. Brooklyn Girls - Catey Shaw
4. On The Floor - Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull
5. I Love It - Icona Pop
6. Really Don't Care - Demi Lovato featuring Cher Lloyd
7. Radioactive - Imagine Dragons
8. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood - Santa Esmeralda
9. Wiggle - Jason Derulo featuring Snoop Dogg
10. Can't Remember To Forget You (remix) - Shakira featuring Rihanna
11. Why Don't You Love Me (remix) - Beyonce'
12. Not Like The Movies - Katy Perry
13. I Can't Make You Love Me - Bonnie Raitt

Thanks to the many of you that were in Sexy Spin this morning working out, working up a sweat and working toward reaching a goal. Some of you may not realize that everyone in class is working toward a goal. It is probably different for everyone. But no matter what the goal is, no matter how big or how small, everyone's goal is so very important. It is so important that I also feel it is a very important responsibility of mine, the instructor, to provide the best opportunity and environment for each of you to accomplish your goal. Your goal could be a big and visual goal such as losing 25 pounds. It could be a simple and mostly internal goal such as pushing yourself a little harder, or focusing a little more on proper form. Regardless of the individual goal, it is also so very important to remember that we are all part of a group. And the best way for as many of us as possible to reach our goals is to work together. No, we do not have to do the exact same thing at the exact same level at the exact same time. In fact, the amount of commitment to the Ride is dependent on many things, but especially one's own experience and fitness levels. You often hear me say that how much or how little you commit to the resistance level, the speed of the pace or the particular movement at the time is up to you. And indeed it is. But it shouldn't be up to you to decide whether you want to do the workout provided by the instructor or not. As the instructor, I have chosen each song for it's beat or its rhythm, I have planned out what movement goes best with that rhythm. I have chosen the particular challenges throughout the class so that the class offers a variety of obstacles for you to overcome. A variety so that you won't be bored. A variety that allows you to spike your heart rate and then do some active recovery before spiking your heart rate again. I believe it is this type of class that provides the best way for you to achieve your goals. And that is what I want for as many of you as possible to get from one of my classes. An intense Ride to a fun variety of movement and music that passes by quickly and allows you to feel accomplished at the end of class. A Ride that creates an energy that pushes and challenges you but also supports and encourages the riders around you. It is only then, that we can all accomplish so much. It is not when someone is sporadically doing their own movements and workouts which instead is a complete distraction to the people around you and creates a different kind of energy altogether...a negative energy. So I am often asking for your commitment in class. I'd also like to ask for your trust. Your trust in my ability to provide a class with many opportunities and the correct environment to allow you to accomplish your goals. Your trust in my leadership and experience from being an instructor for almost 16 years that will provide an intense, challenging and safe Ride that will indeed move you closer to obtaining your goals. It is an honor to have the opportunity to be an instructor and provide you with the chance to make a change. A difference. A positive difference. In your workout. In your outlook. In your life. Yeah, it is kinda that big. I am honored. I am committed. I am dedicated. I am grateful for this opportunity. Thank you. In good health, tommy

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Track List - #totalrequestride, Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Track List - Saturday, July 19, 2014

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Track List - Sexy Spin, Thursday, July 17, 2014

1. Love Never Felt So Good - Michael Jackson & Justin Timberlake
2. Fancy - Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX
3. Problem - Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea, Nelly, Christina Aguilera, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Missy Elliott, 'Nsync, TLC, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
4. All Of Me (remix) - John Legend
5. #kiki vs. #Selfie - DJ Al Silverstein featuring The Chainsmokers & Scissor Sisters
6. Talk Dirty - DJ MixmstrStel featuring Jason Derulo, 2 Chainz, Missy Elliott, 50 Cent, Lorde & Busta Rhymes
7. Summer - Calvin Harris
8. Dare You (remix) - Hardwell featuring Matthew Koma
9. Running Happy (mashup) - DJ Chocomang featuring Pharrell Williams & Airbourne
10. The Only Living Boy In New York - Simon & Garfunkel (from the HBO movie "The Normal Heart")
11. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor (from the HBO movie "The Normal Heart")
12. Already Home - A Great Big World
13. Human - Christina Perri

"Running Happy". That was the name of the mashup that I played for the final run in class this morning. DJ Chocomang created this fun, fast tempo mix that provides a great way to finish a ride. It has the energy that can elevate your mood and motivate you to really give it your all...and then some! I try to create a mood in all of my classes. A very positive, supportive, high-energy mood. Almost everyone has some negative stress in their life at one time or another. I'd like everyone to leave that at the door! I'd like everyone to remember that in a spin class, inside that group fitness room, that there are a lot of people there. The class doesn't revolve or center around one person. It is a class made up of a group of people that have so much more power than most realize. Everyone in class contributes to the energy of that class. That is why I spend so much time trying to "accentuate the positive". If everyone focuses on the work, the form, the pace, the resistance level, and on what you are trying to accomplish, then that positive energy can help everyone get closer to realizing their goals...to making a positive change. If we each were to go into class and focus on only ourselves, what has been or is currently bothering us, on the fact that we didn't get our favorite bike or that we weren't able to sit next to our best friend or our current gym crush, or that we didn't get to hear our favorite song, then that really doesn't do anyone any good and a negative energy is created that dosen't help and support the class. So, please, use your ability to focus and direct your energy that you have so abundantly in a very positive direction so that not only you benefit, but so does everyone in class. You have the power. You have the ability. You can make a change. You can make a positive difference. So let's do it! Thanks to everyone in class this morning. It was so full of all of you and your amazing energy. Thanks for that. I hope you all have an amazing day! You started it off in a great way. Keep it going! Keep that positive energy all day! Keep paying it forward! See you next time! In good health, tommy

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Track List - #totalrequestride, Wednesday, July 16, 2014

1. Don´t You Worry Child (You Won't Fade Into Darkness)(mashup remix) - Swedish House Mafia
2. Rainbow - Jessie J
3. Partition (remix) - Beyoncé
4. Find You (remix) - Zedd featuring Matthew Koma & Miriam Bryant
5. Do Your Thing - Basement Jaxx
6. Here Comes The Hotstepper - Ini Kamoze
7. Animals - Martin Garrix
8. All The Things She Said - t.A.T.u.
9. Love Runs Out - OneRepublic
10. Proud Mary - Tina Turner
11. Same Love - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert
12. The Way Of Love - Cher

This week's #totalrequestride was a little different. Part way through class, I asked for live requests. Of course, I had to have the music with me, but I thought that would be a nice, new and different "spin" (see what I did there?) on the usual #totalrequestride at Crunch Fitness - Sunset. Thanks as always to everyone who was in class and who committed so much to working hard, focusing their energy and trying to make a positive difference. Class is supposed to be difficult, challenging, hard. But it can also be fun. And we never sacrifice safety. So with all this going on, I hope everyone left class feeling better...better about themselves...about their workout, their bodies, their minds, their outlook...everything. Yes, that is a very big statement, but it can happen. If you try. If you commit. Try to make a difference. Make a positive change. You can do it. Make it happen. Ride with Tommy!

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Track List - Saturday, July 12, 2014

1. Ain't It Fun - Paramore
2. Me And My Broken Heart - Rixton
3. Best Day Of My Life - American Authors
4. Story Of My Life (remix) - One Direction
5. I Dare You (remix) - Hardwell featuring Matthew Koma
6. 2 For Tom's Diner (mashup) - DJ MixmstrStel featuring Suzanne Vega & Tinashe
7. The Walker - Fitz And The Tantrums
8. Cruel Summertime Love (mashup) - DJ Dan Mei featuring Icona Pop, Lana Del Rey, Linkin Park, Ace Of Base, etc.
9. Where Love Lives (Frankie Knuckles remix) - Alison Limerick
10. Love Never Felt So Good (remix) - Michael Jackson
11. Wake Me Up (Avicii cover) - Glee Cast (Lea Michelle)
12. Latch - Disclosure featuring Sam Smith

Positive change. A difference. Commitment. These are just some of the things that I ask everyone in my one of my classes to make. Commitment to the three basics: form, pace and resistance. Commitment to the workout. Commitment to making a difference. Commitment to making a change (no matter how big or how small!). Commitment to making that change a positive. Whether it is the smallest of changes in your mind or a big change in your body, any kind of positive change in your mental and physical well-being is the reward for making that commitment. And it can happen. You can do it. And I hope to be able to help you make that change by providing an intense class full of challenges. A class focused on proper form so that you can learn something as well as make that difference. Learn something that you can take away from class and apply outside of class. A class that provides a variety of popular and motivating music chosen with specific beats and rhythms in mind so that time passes by quickly because you are having fun! So that when you leave class you can say to yourself, "Wow! That was hard. That was challenging. But I had a lot of fun doing it! And it went by so fast that I hardly worried about the time at all! Yeah! I did it! And I feel like a gave it my all. I didn't cheat myself. I am proud of what I accomplished this morning!" This is what I wish for each rider in my class. Thank you for entrusting me with the opportunity to do this. I hope to see you in class again soon! In good health, tommy

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Track List - Sexy Spin, Thursday, July 10, 2014

1. Dare You (remix) - Hardwell
2. Birthday - Katy Perry
3. First Love - Jennifer Lopez
4. Suit & Tie - Justin Timberlake featuring Jay-Z
5. She Looks So Perfect - 5 Seconds Of Summer
6. Rude - Magic
7. Am I Wrong - Nico & Vinz
8. Deja Vu - Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z
9. Small Town Boy - Bronski Beat
10. Chandelier (remix) - Sia
11. Small Town Boy (reprise) - Jimmy Somerville
12. Not A Bad Thing - Justin Timberlake
13. On Top Of The World - Imagine Dragons

Like I said, "I'll be back." "I'm baaaaack!" "I'm back, back in the (LA) groove!" I had a great time on my vacation in Texas, but it also felt great to be back with all of you this morning! Thanks to all of you that were there in my first class back in over a week! I hope you all had a great time and great workouts with the amazing instructors that covered my classes while I was away. Thanks again to the incredible Guy Baruch, Amy Rollman, and Kyler Madeira! And speaking of backs, I had someone tell me that she had a problem with her back bothering her while in the Ride recently. And this brings up a very good point and the reason I talk so much about perfect form before, during and after class! Working out can be hard on your body. Any exercise program should always be done with the and after a consultation with your doctor. But that is not where your responsibility ends. And yes, I said "responsibility". It is your responsibility to not only get a medical clearance before starting a new or different workout routine, it is also your responsibility to do it right, to stay committed to doing your workouts in the proper way with the best form to have the safest experience and to get the most results. I don't talk so much about perfect form in class just to hear myself talk (contrary to what many believe or might say! lol!) I stress the importance of perfect form so that everyone - no matter your experience level or current physical condition - can obtain the best workout possible while obtaining as much of your own personal goals as possible. Now wouldn't that be awesome? To be able to have an intense workout that gets you the most results while being as safe as possible...and of course while having the most fun as well?!?! That is what I wish for everyone that takes my class. And that is why I feel so lucky to be able to provide an opportunity for each of you to do just that. So come Ride with me. Let's do this together. Let's make a difference. Let's make a positive change! I hope to see you soon in the Ride with Tommy! In good health, tommy

Tuesday, July 01, 2014

Subs for the Ride with Tommy! July 2-9, 2014

I will be out of town on a family vacation in Texas for the next week, and I am so lucky to have such amazing instructors filling in for me while I am away. Thanks so much to them and to all of you for your support year 'round! I am so lucky!

Wednesday, July 2, 9:30am #totalrequestride - Amy Rollman
Thursday, July 3, 7:00am Sexy Spin - Kyler Madeira
Friday, July 4, 10:00am - Guy B. (regular Ride, not a Red Line Ride)(special July 4th Schedule!)
Saturday, July 5, 9:45am - Guy B.
Monday, July 7, 9:30am - Guy B. (regular Ride, not a Red Line Ride)
Tueaday, July 8, 7:00am - Kyler Madeira
Wednesday, July 9, 9:30am #totalrequestride - Amy Rollman

I will be back in the saddle teaching again next Thursday morning, July 10th at 7:00am for Sexy Spin. I hope to see you there!

In good health,

tommy

Track List - Extra Sexy Spin, Tuesday, July 1, 2014

1. Let It Go Frozen (mashup) - DJ Axcess featuring Idina Menzel & Madonna
2. Love Never Felt So Good - Michael Jackson & Justin Timberlake
3. Problem - Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea, Nelly, Christina Aguilera, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Missy Elliott, 'Nsync, TLC, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
4. All Of Me (remix) - John Legend
5. Summer - Calvin Harris
6. #kiki vs. #Selfie - DJ Al Silverstein featuring The Chainsmokers & Scissor Sisters
7. Talk Dirty - DJ MixmstrStel featuring Jason Derulo, 2 Chainz, Missy Elliott, 50 Cent, Lorde & Busta Rhymes
8. Dare You (remix) - Hardwell featuring Matthew Koma
9. Running Happy (mashup) - DJ Chocomang featuring Pharrell Williams & Airbourne
10. The Only Living Boy In New York - Simon & Garfunkel (from the HBO movie "The Normal Heart")
11. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor (from the HBO movie "The Normal Heart")

Thank you so much to everyone for being a part of this week's Extra Sexy Spin! I will be out of town for a week to celebrate the 4th with family in Texas, so I wanted to do my favorite class of the week before I left. But don't worry, the extra sexy Kyler will be teaching the Sexy Spin this Thursday so you won't miss out at all. In fact, with Kyler, it's always an extra sexy class! Wow, all of this talk about Sexy Spin makes me think that I need to reiterate what my intention is with Sexy Spin. It is indeed to have fun, of course. While getting a intense workout. While sweating. A lot. While burning a lot of calories as well. By getting stronger. Making your muscles stronger. Your most important muscle. Your heart. By increasing your overall cardiovascular fitness level. By increasing your lung capacity. While listening to a very fun variety of the most popular and motivating music that also inspires, encourages and drives you. Pushes you. To work harder. To reach higher. To exceed your expectations. To create a change. A positive change. To leave class thinking, "Wow! That went by really fast!" To leave class knowing you did your best. Sexy Spin is just over 8 years old! I can't believe it! Thank you for your support! Especially those that were here with me 8 years ago! Wow. I just wanted to state again my main intention for Sexy Spin. And then all this just gushed out over my post. I guess what I'm really trying to say is what I've been saying all along for the past 8 years. Sexy Spin. Same intense ride. Only sexier. Sweatier. Sometimes sillier. And definitely more shirtless! Thanks again for being a part of the Ride with Tommy!'s Sexy Spin!

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Track List - Saturday, June 28, 2014

1. Live For The Night (remix) - Krewella
2. Little Secrets - Passion Pit
3. Harlem - New Politics
4. Africa (DJ Ryan Kenney remix) - Toto
5. I'm A Freak (remix) - Enrique Iglesias featuring Pitbull
6. Houdini - Foster The People
7. Pompeii (remix) - Bastille
8. You Oughta Give (mashup) - DJ MixmstrStel featuring Alanis Morissette & Robin Thicke
9. Wrecking Ball (DJ Ryan Kenney remix) - Miley Cyrus
10. Long Train Runnin' (mashup) - DJ Tuck featuring Doobie Brothers & Martin Garrix
11. Wide Awake - Glee Cast
12. Not Like A Queen (mashup) - DJ Sergio featuring Katy Perry & 30 Seconds To Mars
13. City Of Angels - 30 Seconds To Mars

Thanks as always to everyone who took part in our journey together this morning at 9:45am at Crunch Fitness - Sunset! You all were awesome! Thanks for your energy, commitment and focus that with no doubt provided results that helped move you closer to realizing your goals - whatever they may be. We are all different. We all may have different goals. Some may be the same. But there is no denying that together, the energy created can help everyone achieve levels that we can not reach on our own. It is that common and positive energy about which I speak in class. It is that energy that you can't help but feel when we are all working together and pushing ourselves individually but yet also as a group. So if you haven't, please come and join us! Thanks for visiting my blog/website. Check it out for any and all information about my classes. In addition, please like and share the Ride with Tommy! Facebook page. I'd really appreciate it! In fact, feel free to share our class with your friends. Bring a friend to ride with you next time. It is a lot of fun and so different than meeting that friend for coffee or lunch. Free passes can be obtained on the CRUNCH website or at the front desk. Hope to see you in class soon! In good health, tommy

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Track List - Sexy Spin, Thursday, June 26, 2014

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Track List - #totalrequestride, Wednesday, June 25, 2014

1. Capitol - Trust
2. Birthday - Katy Perry
3. The Writing's On The Wall - OK Go
4. Sissy That Walk (remix) - RuPaul
5. What I Like About You - The Romantics
6. Love Runs Out - OneRepublic
7. Why Don't You Love Me (remix) - Beyoncé
8. Wild Wild Love - Pitbull featuring G.R.L.
9. Cuba - Gibson Brothers
10. Save Somebody's Sunshine World (mashup) - DJs Mashup-Germany featuring Richard Marx, Counting Crows, Kings Of Leon, Swedish House Mafia & John Martin
11. She Looks So Perfect - 5 Seconds Of Summer
12. How Will I Know - Sam Smith (acoustic cover of Whitney Houston)
13. Stay With Me (live) - Sam Smith featuring Mary J. Blige

Three people on their phone in class this morning. Two people carrying on a conversation during what is supposed to be an intense hill. And the mic wasn't working so I was having to yell over the music. I'm not complaining. I'm just stating the facts. As an instructor, it is so challenging to motivate and challenge riders to begin with. Then having to overcome the added obstacles created by people who either don't really want to be there in the first place and are not concerned with reaching toward or obtaining individual goals or are just so oblivious to the people around them who are really trying to make a difference in their lives...a positive change in their mental and physical well-being, is an obvious challenge that really shouldn't be present. I am not that upset about these occurrences, but some riders did complain to me after class. It is my job as an instructor to provide a ride that is challenging and fun. It is my job to create an atmosphere that is supportive, encouraging and motivating. It is also my job to create an environment that contains the least amount of distractions to all of the riders as possible. I am limited to what I can do and say in a class. I try to limit my comments in such situations to very general statements that will make the "offenders" realize that they are not being conducive to creating a positive energy in class that is beneficial to each individual rider and to the collective group as well. And I know that those of you reading this are probably not the ones who really need to read this and take something away from this post. However, I just want to put it out there (and feel free to share this), that in a group fitness class, you are just that, part of a group. Yes, you are there to get the most out of your own individual workout that you can. But, and many probably do not realize this, as part of a group fitness class, you are also responsible for NOT creating a disruptive or distractive environment. Lately, I have begun to talk some about this responsibility of individual riders in class. And I am not talking in class (or even writing this post) to punish or embarrass anyone. I just want to emphasize that everyone has the power to make a difference in a group fitness class. Everyone. Every single rider. So I want to take this moment to strongly encourage every single rider in a group fitness indoor cycling class to fully commit to accessing that power, There are many ways to do it. I mention the commitment to the three basics: 1) form, 2) pace, and 3) resistance. Then I also mention the inclusion of a fourth element primarily for experienced and fully healthy riders, 4) movement. When you focus and fully commit to the three basics and possibly the fourth part of a successful ride, you automatically create that positive energy that fills the room. It creates a place where individuals feel free and even encouraged to push themselves more than they thought possible without having to deal with negative energy, distractions or disruptions by riders that are not focused, don't care or are choosing not to participate in the class as directed by the instructor. I love being an instructor. The good and the help that I can achieve in others makes being an instructor so very rewarding. And even with the situations in class this morning, I know that there were still so many very focused and inspired riders that really did achieve a lot from a very fun and challenging class. So to those riders, as well as the many that I see everyday, six days a week, I say thank you! Thank you so very much for providing me with the opportunity to make an improvement in your health and well-being, both mental and physical. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

In good health,

tommy

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Track List - Saturday, June 21, 2014

1. Dare You (remix) - Hardwell
2. Birthday - Katy Perry
3. First Love - Jennifer Lopez
4. Suit & Tie - Justin Timberlake featuring Jay-Z
5. She Looks So Perfect - 5 Seconds Of Summer
6. Rude - Magic
7. Am I Wrong - Nico & Vinz
8. Deja Vu - Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z
9. Small Town Boy - Bronski Beat
10. Chandelier (remix) - Sia
11. Small Town Boy (reprise) - Jimmy Somerville
12. Not A Bad Thing - Justin Timberlake
13. On Top Of The World - Imagine Dragons

Happy first day of summer! I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful day of great weather, great fun and great new memories! And to those that were in the Ride with Tommy! this morning, I know you are all having a much better day due to the work that you put into your workout during class. You all were amazing! Thanks for wanting to reach new heights, create new challenges, and overcome new obstacles! Remember what you did in class. Think about it often and throughout the day. Let that rewarding feeling of doing something so positive for you be the catalyst to continue to make it a positive day. A day full of positive changes, whether they are big or small. Share that feeling that makes you feel so proud of and happy about your accomplishments with others that may not be having as great of a day as you. Remember, not everyone is able to enjoy and take advantage of the freedom to workout where, when and how you want..how you decide is best for you and your body. It is vitally important to work on improving your well-being...both physical and mental. They both go hand-in-hand. So to those of you that chose to exercise that freedom by taking part in the Ride with Tommy!, that are having a better day as a result of all that you accomplished, and that are sharing all that is so good with others, I commend and thank you. And I want to encourage you again to celebrate today, the first day of summer, and have a great time! In good health, tommy

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Track List - Sexy Spin, Thursday, June 19, 2014

1. Dare You (remix) - Hardwell
2. Birthday - Katy Perry
3. First Love - Jennifer Lopez
4. Suit & Tie - Justin Timberlake featuring Jay-Z
5. She Looks So Perfect - 5 Seconds Of Summer
6. Rude - Magic
7. Am I Wrong - Nico & Vinz
8. Deja Vu - Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z
9. Small Town Boy - Bronski Beat
10. Chandelier (remix) - Sia
11. Small Town Boy (reprise) - Jimmy Somerville
12. Not A Bad Thing - Justin Timberlake
13. On Top Of The World - Imagine Dragons

Create a positive change! Create the change you want. Create the energy necessary to push yourself closer to realizing your goals. That's what happens when you commit to your workout. When you commit to working together as a group in a group fitness class. Don't go into a group fitness class to do your own thing and not follow the class at all. That is distracting to the others around you. It is distracting to the instructor. It is not the best way to accomplish what you set out to do in a group fitness environment. Do all that you can and want to in any way that you want to when you are in the cardio area and your workout is yours alone. But when you are in a group fitness class, it is better for you and for everyone else in class to commit to the workout provided to you by the instructor. Create that opportunity to make that positive change by being a part of the movement, the journey, the experience, the Ride. Don't defeat yourself. Commit. Focus. Work hard. Do it. Make it happen. Make that change. Make that positive change. Everyone in Sexy Spin this morning sure did. Thanks to everyone of you that did such an amazing job this morning! And happy birthday to Stefanie! Thanks for your requests! Thanks for your ongoing support! You are awesome! Have an awesome day! And to all, have a great day in good health! tommy

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Track List - #totalrequestride, Wednesday, June 18, 2014

1. Red Lights - Tiesto
2. Fancy - Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX
3. Mo Money Mo Problems - Notorious B.I.G. featuring Diana Ross
4. Problem - DJ MixmstrStel featuring Ariana Grande, Iggy Azalea, Nelly, Christina Aguilera, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Missy Elliott, 'Nsync, TLC, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
5. Mmm Yeah - Austin Mahone featuring Pitbull
6. Relight My Fire - Dan Hartman
7. Wiggle - Jason Derulo featuring Snoop Dogg
8. I Cry - Flo Rida
9. Summer (remix) - Calvin Harris
10. First Love (remix) - Jennifer Lopez
11. Holding On For Life - Broken Bells
12. Chandelier - Sia
13. Do Or Die - 30 Seconds To Mars

This morning's #totalrequestride was so much fun! Thanks to the so many of you that attended class this morning and pushed yourselves out of your comfort zone...beyond your expectations! Your hard work showed! Your energy and enthusiasm was obvious! You all were amazing! As the #totalrequestrides of the summer are getting underway, the classes are moving toward more of a video presence in class. Currently, CRUNCH (Crunch Fitness - Sunset), is not set up to show videos in class. There is currently no TV screen present. So, please keep tweeting your requests to @crunchgym followed by the hashtag #totalrequestride, especially if it is a music video. I'll try my best to play the song (without the video) in class. Hey, you can still Ride to your favorite songs (or music from your favorite videos), and you can still win iTunes gift cards just for tweeting your requests! So do it! Just do it! Request it. Ride to it! And thanks to those that have given me requests even though they are not on twitter or any kind of social media at all. I have had several requests given to me either written or verbally. I love it! Keep 'em coming! Til next time! In good health, tommy

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Track List - Saturday, June 14, 2014

1. United State Of Pop 2013 (Living The Fantasy) - DJ Earworm + 25 artists
2. Pompeii (remix) - Bastille
3. Ghosts N Stuff - Deadmau5
4. Blow (remix) - Beyoncé
5. Do What U Want - Lady Gaga featuring Christina Aguilera
6. Can't Hold Us (mashup) - DJ MixmstrStel featuring Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Queen, Paramore, Devo, Beyoncé, etc.
7. Rude Boy (remix) - Rihanna featuring Cassidy & Jag
8. Million Dollar Bill (remix) - Whitney Houston
9. Timber - Pitbull featuring Ke$ha
10. All Of Me - John Legend
11. Uprising Of Love - Melissa Etheridge
12. Do You Want To Build A Snowman - Kristen Bell, Agatha Lee Monn & Katie Lopez (Disney's Frozen Soundtrack)

It's a good thing I have a big mouth. And that I talk a lot. 'Cuz this is the 3rd class out of 4 that I have had to yell over the music since the mic has been broken. Ugh! And I'm dealing with some kind of a cold as well, so it has not been easy. However, what has been easy is the ability to have fun and create a positive energy in a room full of focused and dedicated individuals that are ready to work hard to make a change - a positive difference - and to have fun while doing it! Wow! I had such a great time this morning. I hope you all did, too! Newcomer, Sarah, tweeted this immediately after class: "There's always a reason to celebrate" especially if you @ridewithtommy #goodtimes #crunch #nolimits #smile". How cool is that?!?! Thanks Sarah! And thanks as always to everyone in class for being there and bringing such a positive energy that fills up the room and that makes everyone have a better ride! And as I mentioned after class, it was great seeing the father-mother-daughter team of Mike, Iris and Raquel riding together again this morning! And again, how cool is that?!?! And then there was Jason and Tony who are back riding in class after completing the California AIDS LifeCycle Ride just last week! And I'll say it one more time, how cool is that?!?! Thanks everybody! Have a great Saturday and a great weekend! And Happy Fathers' Day to all the amazing fathers out there! In good health! tommy

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Track List - Sexy Spin, Thursday, June 12, 2014

1. Happy (remix) - Pharrell Williams
2. Remember The Name - Fort Minor featuring Styles Of Beyond
3. Neon Lights (remix) - Demi Lovato
4. Come Get It Bae - Pharrell Williams
5. I'll Be Around - Cee Lo Green featuring Timbaland
6. Pony - Ginuwine
7. Never Say Goodbye - Hardwell & Dyro featuring Bright Lights
8. Countdown - Beyoncé
9. Applause (remix) - Lady Gaga
10. Everything Is Awesome - Tegan And Sara featuring The Lonely Island
11. Who You Are - Jessie J
12. Back To California - Steve Grand
13. Somewhere - Barbra Streisand

And this morning's Sexy Spin was so much fun! Thanks to everyone who made it to class and contributed to the energy that fills up the room and helps push, motivate, encourage and inspire everyone to do their best. There were 2 brand new riders in class this morning. And as so many of you know that ride with me on a consistent basis, I welcome newcomers! I feel it is my job...my duty...my obligation...my responsibilty to make class accessible to those new to spinning. At the same time, I also feel like it is my job, duty, obligation and responsibility to make class as challenging as possible to experienced riders. So this may sound conflicting, it really isn't. That is why I take so much time at the beginning and throughout class to go over proper form. Sure, for experienced riders, it can be a little monotonous or boring. But if I can reach 1 person that may have been too embarrassed to raise their hand at the beginning of class when I ask if it is anyone's first time or that has never had an instructor really show them how to set up and ride properly, safely, effectively and efficiently on a bike, then I am proud of the job I have done. I hope by reaching that 1 person that they may be started on a path of happy, successful and result-filled riding for many years to come! Besides, even experienced riders can benefit from an occasional reminder regarding proper form so that old habits are not fallen back into! But in no way do I forget about my experienced riders. I have some people that have been riding with me since I began teaching almost 16 years ago! Yes, some people that started spinning with me at Todd Tramp's Bodysculpting LA back in August 1998, are riding with me here at Crunch Fitness - Sunset in 2014! That is something that I think is so cool and a responsibility that I do not take lightly. As I often say in class, I am so often inspired by, motivated by, humbled by and in awe of people that ride with me. I am grateful that you have placed your trust in me to lead a workout that challenges you. I feel responsible to be creative, to be aware and to be open to the possibility to connect to each rider so that a positive change can be achieved. And I want each rider in my class to achieve so much...to achieve that positive change...to obtain results...to move closer to obtaining their personal goals. I have been blessed with the position to be an instructor. I am grateful for it and humbled by it. I am motivated to improve. I want to make that first-timer feel welcome and confidant. I want to make that experienced rider feel like they accomplished more than they have before. I hope this comes through in my classes and that this is why you ride with me. So, thank you! And I look forward to riding with you soon! In good health!

Track List - #totalrequestride, Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Saturday, June 07, 2014

Track List - Pride Spin, Saturday, June 7, 2014

1. Freedom '90 - George Michael
2. Firework (remix) - Katy Perry
3. Don't You Worry Pride (mashup) - DJ Brian Cua featuring Swedish House Mafia & U2
4. Born This Way (remix) - Lady Gaga
5. Relax - Frankie Goes To Hollywood
6. I'm Coming Out - Diana Ross
7. Didn't Know My Own Strength (remix) - Whitney Houston
8. Proud - Heather Small
9. The Wings (Brokeback Mountain Soundtrack) - DJs Manny Lehman, Tony Moran & Warren Rigg
10. I Got My Pride - Barry Harris featuring Pepper Mashay
11. Beautiful - Christina Aguilera
12. True Colors - Cyndi Lauper

Happy Pride to everyone in Los Angeles! This weekend is a celebration of the pride and spirit that the LGBTQ community should celebrate. So much has been accomplished. So much has been fought for. So much has been won, achieved, changed in the recent past. But we stand on the shoulders of so many that have fought for us before. It would not be possible to celebrate as we can today without the hard-fought battles having been won or at least attempted. Leaders, iconoclasts, life-changers such as Harvey Milk, Cleve Jones, Larry Kramer, Dan Savage, Dustin Lance Black, Cyndi Lauper, Jeff Zarrillo, Paul Katami just to name a few...a very important few. Just last weekend we honored all those that served in the Armed Forces of the United States for fighting for the freedoms that we enjoy today. This weekend we celebrate those that have fought battles as well. Every year I try to create a playlist that includes songs that reflect pride. A sense of importance. A fight for equality. A desire to be treated with respect by everyone no matter who you are, what you are, where you come from, or who you love or want to marry. We have so much to celebrate. We have so many to be grateful for. We have so much left to do. The arts, music, culture can do so much to help. My track lists are such a small part or reflection of the much bigger picture. In the last two weeks, I have watched The Normal Heart (now showing on HBO), The Case Against 8 (in limited theatres this weekend but on HBO June 23rd), and even "8" the Play (available on youtube). These are amazing works of art and history that can change the hearts and minds of many. So please watch and share these. Thanks for listening. Thanks for being a part of the Ride with Tommy! We have so much to be proud of. Even the very ability to get up and ride in a class such as we did this morning. It does so much to improve your health and well-being (both physical and mental!) And having that improved health and well-being can help us be stronger when we are faced with the opportunity to stand up and fight for what's right. Equality. Love. Freedom. Isn't that what we all want? Isn't that what we all deserve?

Thursday, June 05, 2014

Track List - Sexy Spin, Thursday, June 5, 2014

1. Live For The Night (remix) - Krewella
2. Little Secrets - Passion Pit
3. Harlem - New Politics
4. Africa (DJ Ryan Kenney remix) - Toto
5. I'm A Freak (remix) - Enrique Iglesias featuring Pitbull
6. Houdini - Foster The People
7. Pompeii (remix) - Bastille
8. You Oughta Give (mashup) - DJ MixmstrStel featuring Alanis Morissette & Robin Thicke
9. Wrecking Ball (DJ Ryan Kenney remix) - Miley Cyrus
10. Long Train Runnin' (mashup) - DJ Tuck featuring Doobie Brothers & Martin Garrix
11. Wide Awake - Glee Cast
12. Not Like A Queen (mashup) - DJ Sergio featuring Katy Perry & 30 Seconds To Mars
13. City Of Angels - 30 Seconds To Mars

This morning's Sexy Spin was just that. Sexy. So many of you focused so much on getting the best ride possible and the most results possible while creating as much energy as possible and having as much fun as possible! The possibilities are endless! As is the potential of what you can accomplish if you set your mind and body to it. I am continually impressed by the riders in the Ride with Tommy! Thank you for confirming my beliefs in the human spirit and the process to which we commit, the results we expect, and the community that we create by working together. Thank you all again and be proud of what you accomplish by setting your goals, committing to reaching them, and ultimately realizing them. You are all awesome and so very sexy!

Track List - #totalrequestride, Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Track List - Saturday, May 31, 2014

1. Let It Go Frozen (mashup) - DJ Axcess featuring Idina Menzel & Madonna
2. Love Never Felt So Good - Michael Jackson & Justin Timberlake
3. Problem - Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea, Nelly, Christina Aguilera, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Missy Elliott, 'Nsync, TLC, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
4. All Of Me (remix) - John Legend
5. Summer - Calvin Harris
6. #kiki vs. #Selfie - DJ Al Silverstein featuring The Chainsmokers & Scissor Sisters
7. Talk Dirty - DJ MixmstrStel featuring Jason Derulo, 2 Chainz, Missy Elliott, 50 Cent, Lorde & Busta Rhymes
8. Dare You (remix) - Hardwell featuring Matthew Koma
9. Running Happy (mashup) - DJ Chocomang featuring Pharrell Williams & Airbourne
10. The Only Living Boy In New York - Simon & Garfunkel (from the HBO movie "The Normal Heart")
11. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor (from the HBO movie "The Normal Heart")

It is so easy to sleep in on a Saturday. I saw several people coming to the gym after class was over this morning. "Oh, I just didn't make it up in time to make it to your class!," is a response that I heard quite often. I agree. It is so difficult to get up and out of your nice warm bed, snuggled up for comfort under the nice soft comforter, maybe next to a nice warm body...I'm referring to those of you with pets! Well, and if that warm body belongs to your significant other, well, then that makes it even more difficult to get up and out to the gym. So I want to say an extra big, "THANK YOU!" to all of you who did get up and out of bed and to Crunch Fitness - Sunset and to this morning's Ride with Tommy! As I mentioned in class this morning, I LOVE to see it when you are on your bike and TRYING! Trying to make a difference. Trying to make a positive change. Trying to reach your goals. That is inspiring to me. That motivates me. That makes me want to be a better instructor for you! And when I see a class that is working together, following the path that I have laid out before you, pushing yourselves and trying to make that difference as a group, well, I can hardly explain that feeling. It is truly a gift. It is truly an honor to be a part of such an experience. So thank you all again. Thank you for just getting up and being there. Thank you for being there and trying. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of an experience that can make such positive changes in so many lives. Thank you for motivating me. I hope to see you in class again soon! In good health, tommy

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Track List - Sexy Spin, Thursday, May 29, 2014

1. Ain't It Fun - Paramore
2. Me And My Broken Heart - Rixton
3. Best Day Of My Life - American Authors
4. Story Of My Life (remix) - One Direction
5. I Dare You (remix) - Hardwell featuring Matthew Koma
6. 2 For Tom's Diner (mashup) - DJ MixmstrStel featuring Suzanne Vega & Tinashe
7. The Walker - Fitz And The Tantrums
8. Cruel Summertime Love (mashup) - DJ Dan Mei featuring Icona Pop, Lana Del Rey, Linkin Park, Ace Of Base, etc.
9. Where Love Lives (Frankie Knuckles remix) - Alison Limerick
10. Love Never Felt So Good (remix) - Michael Jackson
11. Wake Me Up (Avicii cover) - Glee Cast (Lea Michelle)
12. You've Got The Love - The Source featuring Candi Stanton
13. Latch - Disclosure featuring Sam Smith

This past Tuesday was the Extra Special Sexy Spin, but today's regular Sexy Spin was kinda special as well. We had two riders leaving in the next day or two for the California AIDS LifeCycle ride, Tony and Jonathan. We also had two birthday boys in class, Gregory Davis and Jeffrey Dreesman. Happy birthday to you two! And of course, everyone in attendance continued to amaze me with their energy, commitment, focus, determination and desire to make a positive change! It was a blast! I am grateful! I am inspired! I am so lucky to be able to do something I love that actually helps others...if even in the smallest of ways. So if you haven't been to a Ride with Tommy! class lately, I hope to see you soon. Things are always changing. Things are always getting better...when you commit...when you focus...when you really try to make a positive change. It can happen! I appreciate the opportunity to help in any way I can! Hope to see you soon! In good health, tommy

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Track List - Extra Special Sexy Spin, Thursday, May 27, 2014

1. Let It Go Frozen (mashup) - DJ Axcess featuring Idina Menzel & Madonna
2. Love Never Felt So Good - Michael Jackson & Justin Timberlake
3. Problem - Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea, Nelly, Christina Aguilera, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Missy Elliott, 'Nsync, TLC, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
4. All Of Me (remix) - John Legend
5. Summer - Calvin Harris
6. #kiki vs. #Selfie - DJ Al Silverstein featuring The Chainsmokers & Scissor Sisters
7. Talk Dirty - DJ MixmstrStel featuring Jason Derulo, 2 Chainz, Missy Elliott, 50 Cent, Lorde & Busta Rhymes
8. Dare You (remix) - Hardwell featuring Matthew Koma
9. Running Happy (mashup) - DJ Chocomang featuring Pharrell Williams & Airbourne
10. The Only Living Boy In New York - Simon & Garfunkel (from the HBO movie "The Normal Heart")
11. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor (from the HBO movie "The Normal Heart")
12. Already Home - A Great Big World
13. Human - Christina Perri

This morning's Extra Special Sexy Spin honoring and supporting our friends and fellow members who will be taking part in the California AIDS/LifeCycle ride next week (a 7-day ride totaling 545 miles, riding about 80-100 miles per day!) was so much fun! As I always describe these extra special classes, there was special music, special guests, and special prizes! Special shout outs to the LifeCycle riders there in class this morning: Jason Walker, Tony Maietta, Steve Hasley, Jacob Ittycheria, and Leslie. Congrats to prize winners Maureen Grosberg, Jacob Ittycheria, Shelby, and Mark! And special thanks to special guest and party promoter extraordinaire, Luke Nero, who experienced his first spin class! Also a special shout out to Maureen Grosberg, Maria Casale, and Mary Vossberg for their tremendous help before class. I couldn't have done it without you! So thanks to everyone for taking the time and making the effort to be there this morning for this annual event. Please click on the LifeCycle riders names to help support them and donate any amount you can to help them raise much needed funds for AIDS research and to help those living with HIV and AIDS. And remember to support the merchants/businesses that donated special prizes for this morning's class: Veggie Grill, N101 - West Hollywood, Yogurt Stop, Crunch Fitness - Sunset, CRUNCH trainers/instructors Joey Rubino (for the Sexy...and Fit... bag, water bottle and pedometer!) and Saharah Ali (for the beautiful handmade necklace and bracelet!) It really takes a village to pull of a special class like this: the merchants, the riders, and Ride with Tommy! regulars! I appreciate/support all of you! Thanks for the commitment by all of you to make a positive change...in yourselves and in the world around you!

Monday, May 26, 2014

Extra Special Sexy Spin in support of California AIDS LifeCycle riders tomorrow morning, Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at 7:00am!

I hope as many of you as possible can make it to the Extra Special Sexy Spin tomorrow morning, Tuesday, May 27th at 7:00am at Crunch Fitness on Sunset in LA! It is the annual special class to support, encourage, and honor our friends and fellow members who have dedicated so much time and effort to train and raise funds for the past year. To quote the website as I really can't say it much better, "AIDS/LifeCycle is a fully supported, 7-day bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles to raise money and awareness in the fight against HIV/AIDS. AIDS/LifeCycle 2014 will take place June 1st through June 7th, 2014. Every year, this landmark ride through beautiful California delivers a life-changing experience for thousands of participants from all backgrounds and fitness levels united by a common desire to do something heroic." These riders are heroes. Their lives are changed. They help change the lives of others. This is one of my favorite classes because in some small way, I and we are paying tribute to not only the riders this year but all riders in the years past and future as well as the many, many lives that have been changed for the better by this amazing event. And you all know how much I stress the importance of change for the better! So let's do it together tomorrow morning! For yourself. For others. For all. Make a difference. Make a change. Make it better.

In good health,

tommy

Track List - Memorial Day, Red Line Ride, May 26, 2014

1. Happy (remix) - Pharrell Williams
2. Cruise - Florida Georgia Line featuring Nelly
3. Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Michael McDonald
4. Get Lucky (remix) - Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams
5. I'm A Freak (remix) - Enrique Iglesias featuring Pitbull
6. In My City - Elliott LaRue
7. Thrift Shop - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz
8. Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke featuring T.I. & Pharrell Williams
9. Brave (DJ Blacklow & Figares Remix) - Sara Bareilles
10. Roar (remix) - Katy Perry
11. One - Mary J. Blige & U2
12. Proud Mary - Tina Turner
13. Crazy - Beyonce' featuring Jay-Z
14. Same Love - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert
15. The Way Of Love - Cher

Thanks to everyone who showed up on this special holiday, Memorial Day 2014, and showed their commitment to their own personal health and well-being! The energy was amazing! And we stayed for an extended class which continued to raise the roof off the commitment and energy levels! And on top of all of that, it was a ton of fun! Thanks again to all who took part on this special day. And thanks again to all of those who have served in our Armed Forces and have provided us with the freedoms that we enjoy today. The freedom to do mostly what we want to do in this great country of ours. Even the freedom to choose to Ride with Tommy! this Memorial Day and to learn a little (or a lot) more about heart rate based training in this morning's Red Line Ride (as we do every Monday and Friday at 9:30am at Crunch Fitness - Sunset LA!) Now go out and have an amazing holiday! Don't forget about tomorrow morning's Extra Special Sexy Spin dedicated to and in support of our friends that are doing the Californa AIDS LifeCycle Ride starting next week! Special guests! Special music! Special prizes! A very special class for very special people who do so much for (unfortunately) a much-needed cause, AIDS research. Come be a part of this special class and help start off this short work week right! In good health!