Jessica Roth, Recwell Instructor, Shares her Spin on Cycling
By Emily R. Condon
October 4, 2021
Image Credit: Josie Jack for The Campus Trainer
The chant, “right, right; right, left, right” echoes through the 0504C Cycling Studio in the Regents Parking Garage every Tuesday and Thursday from 10-10:45 a.m. and Sundays from 5:15-6 p.m. The room, illuminated with red, blue and green studio lights, is a feature of Jessica Roth’s cycling program.
“I feel amazing [after instructing]; very euphoric. I feel like maybe I was just the best part of someone’s day, or maybe I just said something to someone that will resonate with them for the rest of their day, their week, their year or their life,” Roth said after leading her Tuesday class. “Maybe I just made that one positive impact on someone that is the thing that’s going to keep them going.”.
The junior criminology-psychology double major with a sociology minor is a new cycling instructor for the RecWell program. She began cycling eight years ago at SoulCycle in her hometown, Scarsdale, N.Y. Cycling is a hobby that she has used to reform her body and build confidence and self-love. It is a lesson she hopes to radiate to those who take her classes.
“I became an instructor because I want people to feel the way I feel when I’m on the bike - confident, strong and happy,” said Roth. “My message to all of my riders is to listen to their body, while also challenging themselves, and working physically and mentally to be the best possible version of themselves. My class is centered around self-love, strength and pushing past your comfort zone.”
Her lively class includes cycling to upbeat music, such as Rihanna and Beyonce, which Roth calls “girl power”. The participants use the bikes to connect to a screen at the front of the room and select their fitness levels. Roth dances to the music and points out students with encouraging chants. She reiterates “don’t do anything you’re not comfortable with” throughout the class to remind students to embrace what feels right to their bodies.
“[Jess’ energy is] very motivating and inspirational. I look forward to it [the class] every week. Jess makes the class really fun; she makes fitness really fun,” shared Maya Erd, freshman government and politics major.
Fellow freshman Marissa Fish, public policy major with a minor in Italian, agrees that Roth’s teaching methods are beneficial to her students.
“I think [Jess’s coaching style is] very motivating and inclusive. No matter what level of fitness that[sic] you are at, you really feel so into it because she gets you going and gets you hype. [The music] gets you even more into it. The music is so upbeat, and combined with Jess’ coaching, you feel so engaged and even more pumped,” explained Fish after her Tuesday class.
The RecWell faculty also appreciate Roth’s spirit and devotion to the class.
"Jess is a wonderful addition to our team - she teaches her classes with the utmost energy and dedication, just like all of our instructors here at RecWell. No matter what class someone chooses to participate in or their fitness level, our staff and spaces are ready to welcome them with excitement and a supportive environment," said Roth’s supervisor Sarah Grace.
With about ten minutes left in the class, Jess introduces a calm setting, void of lights.
“In the time when everything is dark, I do my inspirational speech and say something that will hit differently. I’ve taken so many classes where instructors do that and it gives you a different outlook on life sometimes,” Roth explained. “Just being hype and energetic and giving the riders the feeling I get when I’m on the bike is what I want to do. Right now, I’m obviously tired and sweaty, but I’m just like ‘wow I just did the damn thing [a cycling workout]’.”
On Sunday, Sept. 12, Roth introduced a different spin on her program, unveiling a TikTok trends themed class.
“My Tiktok Hits ride was absolutely excellent! It was a full class, which is always the best kind of class because everyone can feed off each other’s energy, and enjoy the ride even more,” Roth said. “Additionally, being able to ride to songs that you love, like popular TikTok songs, brings the music into a whole new light for people, and I know for me, it gives me a greater appreciation for the music. The energy overall during the Tiktok ride was on fire, and it was one of the most fun rides I’ve ever taught!”
Students can register for Roth’s RecWell Cycle45 class through the IMLeagues app or through the Group Fitness section on the RecWell website with instructor “Jess R”.
“I feel amazing [after instructing]; very euphoric. I feel like maybe I was just the best part of someone’s day, or maybe I just said something to someone that will resonate with them for the rest of their day, their week, their year or their life,” Roth said after leading her Tuesday class. “Maybe I just made that one positive impact on someone that is the thing that’s going to keep them going.”.
The junior criminology-psychology double major with a sociology minor is a new cycling instructor for the RecWell program. She began cycling eight years ago at SoulCycle in her hometown, Scarsdale, N.Y. Cycling is a hobby that she has used to reform her body and build confidence and self-love. It is a lesson she hopes to radiate to those who take her classes.
“I became an instructor because I want people to feel the way I feel when I’m on the bike - confident, strong and happy,” said Roth. “My message to all of my riders is to listen to their body, while also challenging themselves, and working physically and mentally to be the best possible version of themselves. My class is centered around self-love, strength and pushing past your comfort zone.”
Her lively class includes cycling to upbeat music, such as Rihanna and Beyonce, which Roth calls “girl power”. The participants use the bikes to connect to a screen at the front of the room and select their fitness levels. Roth dances to the music and points out students with encouraging chants. She reiterates “don’t do anything you’re not comfortable with” throughout the class to remind students to embrace what feels right to their bodies.
“[Jess’ energy is] very motivating and inspirational. I look forward to it [the class] every week. Jess makes the class really fun; she makes fitness really fun,” shared Maya Erd, freshman government and politics major.
Fellow freshman Marissa Fish, public policy major with a minor in Italian, agrees that Roth’s teaching methods are beneficial to her students.
“I think [Jess’s coaching style is] very motivating and inclusive. No matter what level of fitness that[sic] you are at, you really feel so into it because she gets you going and gets you hype. [The music] gets you even more into it. The music is so upbeat, and combined with Jess’ coaching, you feel so engaged and even more pumped,” explained Fish after her Tuesday class.
The RecWell faculty also appreciate Roth’s spirit and devotion to the class.
"Jess is a wonderful addition to our team - she teaches her classes with the utmost energy and dedication, just like all of our instructors here at RecWell. No matter what class someone chooses to participate in or their fitness level, our staff and spaces are ready to welcome them with excitement and a supportive environment," said Roth’s supervisor Sarah Grace.
With about ten minutes left in the class, Jess introduces a calm setting, void of lights.
“In the time when everything is dark, I do my inspirational speech and say something that will hit differently. I’ve taken so many classes where instructors do that and it gives you a different outlook on life sometimes,” Roth explained. “Just being hype and energetic and giving the riders the feeling I get when I’m on the bike is what I want to do. Right now, I’m obviously tired and sweaty, but I’m just like ‘wow I just did the damn thing [a cycling workout]’.”
On Sunday, Sept. 12, Roth introduced a different spin on her program, unveiling a TikTok trends themed class.
“My Tiktok Hits ride was absolutely excellent! It was a full class, which is always the best kind of class because everyone can feed off each other’s energy, and enjoy the ride even more,” Roth said. “Additionally, being able to ride to songs that you love, like popular TikTok songs, brings the music into a whole new light for people, and I know for me, it gives me a greater appreciation for the music. The energy overall during the Tiktok ride was on fire, and it was one of the most fun rides I’ve ever taught!”
Students can register for Roth’s RecWell Cycle45 class through the IMLeagues app or through the Group Fitness section on the RecWell website with instructor “Jess R”.
Image Credit: Josie Jack for The Campus Trainer