Sarah’s Story

I grew up having a love/hate relationship with exercise. I always viewed exercise as a means to an end and often never saw it as a joyful or pleasurable experience; in fact, I often prescribed myself gym workouts as punishment for a bad diet. This tortured relationship with exercise was deeply connected to how I thought about myself and my body. Like many people, I was not confident in my body and was always striving to change it. The gym was an anxiety provoking experience with its mirrors and bright lights; I often felt like I was under a microscope and couldn’t help but to constantly compare myself to others which always left me feeling like I wasn’t enough. Truthfully, I hated the gym.

I took my first spinning class in Maastricht, Netherlands at the Maastricht Athletic Club during a study abroad program in 2005. I didn’t know it at the time, but this experience would ultimately change the trajectory of my life. I fell in love with indoor cycling in a language that I couldn’t even speak or understand. What I could understand, however, was the music. Exercising to the beat of the music in a dark and sweaty room brought me joy beyond belief. I began spinning 6-7 days a week and was hooked. I returned to America with a changed body and mind. I knew then that spinning would be a part of my life. Always.

In 2008, I was on a path to becoming a professor of political science, living in New York City, while attending some of the best indoor cycling classes in the world. Once again, I was addicted to the music, the sweat, the dark room, and the motivating and inspiring instructors. Indoor cycling helped me through life’s toughest moments and provided me with some of my happiest memories. When I returned to Burlington, I struggled to find what I left behind in New York and Holland. When I couldn’t find what I was looking for, I decided I would build it from the ground up.

In 2011 I became a certified spinning instructor and began writing my business plan to open REV Indoor Cycling. I left my career working for the Federal Government and on November 12, 2012, I opened up a 1200 square foot studio with 20 bikes on Pine Street in Burlington. Its defining characteristics were no mirrors, total darkness, loud music, and a lot of love, heart, sweat and community.

I no longer exercise to punish myself; I exercise because I love myself. I find daily inspiration in the heart and hard work of all who REV. I am so thankful for this community and I welcome everyone to begin or continue their own transformational journey with us.