Some of us have already given up on our New Year’s goals. What do you know? The sky is still up there. Every year at the start of January, people want to cut back, work out like crazy, and do a juice cleanse. But there are other, more valuable ways to get things going.
Cody Rigsby, Peloton’s best teacher, says, “Start small,” says Cody Rigsby, Peloton’s star instructor. Rigsby is known for serotonin-boosting classes filled with hilarious hot takes and an inclusive approach to working up a sweat.
“My approach to wellness is the same as how I look at life – I’m always trying to laugh at life or myself – so I try to laugh at the parts of it that we take too seriously,” he continues.
Rigsby’s sense of humor is often the highlight of his classes. In November, Peloton launched “LOL Cody,” a series of spinning classes in which he talked to celebrities like Carly Rae Jepsen, Trixie Mattel from RuPaul’s Drag Race, and JC Chasez from *NSYNC. They’re a great place to start for people who want to get in shape or prioritize happiness.
Last month, we went to Peloton’s headquarters in New York City to discuss health and wellness with Rigsby. Here, he talks about what goes on behind the scenes in his rise classes and advises on how to be healthy from the inside out.
How Did “Lol Cody” Get Started?
I’ve been working on it for over a year because I wanted something to do besides “XOXO Cody.” We did a great job with that, and the members liked it, but I didn’t know what to do next.
We wanted to do something different with the bike, and I’m always trying to improve my skills as an entertainer and host. This was a great way to do that and bring other people into the mix, like the celebrity guests we’ve had.
Could You Ever See Yourself Being A Tv Host?
Yes, definitely! I can’t always ride this bike. I need to figure out what I’ll do when my body stops working, but I love being here and that I get to help people in the Peloton community live with purpose.
I think you could always ride the bike… People in their 70s are always on the leaderboard.
I don’t know if that will be me, but I’ve done well. I can’t believe it’s been nine years since I joined Peloton in April. It’s changed my life and my story in so many ways.
Do You Pick The Guests For Lol Cody?
I’m not a big name in the world of celebrities, so we made a list of wild cards and people who fit into the stories we can tell. Someone like JC Chasez is happy with his life and doesn’t want to perform, but I talk about him a lot on my rides, so bringing him in would be like adding to an inside joke that other Peloton members and I have. And it was great to see him stand out.
Who Would Be Your ideal Guest?
Shangela is an excellent choice. Lance Bass, who I work for, told my agent that he was a little envious of JC, so why not have him next season?
Do You Style Yourself For “LOL Cody?”
We have a stylist, but I have a lot of say in how I want to look. Especially for the JC episode, I wanted to live out my TRL fantasy and wear something I could copy from an *NSYNC video from the late 1990s or early 2000s, like the Diesel half-zip and wide-leg pants. I had a lot of fun doing that.
I love how easy it is to follow your approach to health. How would you explain it to someone scared of going to the gym?
My approach to wellness is the same as how I look at life: I’m always trying to laugh at life or myself, so I try to laugh at the things we take too seriously. And that always makes starting a new routine or working out in a different way less scary or hard. “I can’t do it, I’ll look stupid” is always the biggest problem.
So I try to figure out what scares me, then laugh at myself. Why should anyone be scared of a cycling class on a stationary bike while listening to Britney Spears? Just relax.
I also tell myself that anything I do for my physical or mental health is good for me, but it should also make me happy. If you don’t enjoy it, you should find something else to do to take care of yourself. You don’t want to do something you’ll hate for a long time.
How Do You Start A New Wellness Routine Or Get Back Into An Old One?
Start small. If it seems too hard to do, you won’t do it. Allow yourself to fail and be kind to yourself when you do. Find things you like and that make you happy. Get ready to be upset because things won’t always go as you want them to. You’re going to get left behind. It is a habit. You have to sit there and feel bad, but it will improve.
Here’s a big one that no one wants to hear: you’ll have to give more alcohol than you want. Drinking won’t help you do better at work or look the way you want to. It’s fun, but not good for you at all.
What Do You Do To Keep Yourself Healthy?
Usually, I try to get up, drink water first thing in the morning, wait 30 minutes, and then have my coffee. I meditate for 10–15 minutes while waiting for my coffee or after it.
This is to get away from my thoughts. And then, I like to write in a journal, which lets me spew out words and is helpful because I tend to overthink.
That’s the daily part, but my goal is to find something every day, every week, every month, and every year that feeds my soul. Working out and meditating every day are the daily tasks.
The weekly could be a social life, like dinner with friends. Every month could be a long weekend in Miami. These goals make me feel good in ways other than my physical health. Those are the little breadcrumbs you can follow to get by.
This information is officially published on ellecanada.com.