Why I Love Dailey Method Cycling Class And Insist You Get Proper Shoes

I’ve been loving my Dailey Cycling Classes at The Dailey Method and have gotten even more out of each session since I invested in proper indoor cycling shoes. Sure you can still get your workout on with regular runners, but it’s so much better when you have the correct footwear, everything from your alignment to your pedal stroke will improve.

First a word about how much I love Dailey Method Cycling Classes. Unlike most classes these ones provide 40 minutes on the bike (or try the 75 minute class if you want a challenge), followed by 20 minutes floor exercises, providing the opportunity to strengthen your core, work your arm muscles, and other body parts not necessarily activated just on the bike. The instructors are all awesome, supportive and encouraging, most remember your name in no time at all. And you get a post workout stretch, so you leave way more relaxed.

Back to the shoes because they deserve a rave too! I went with the Shimano SH-RP3W Women’s Road Cycling Shoes and they’ve worked at all gyms throughout my travels and look almost brand new after many classes where I pushed the pedal to the medal, as they say.

When you buy the shoes they come without the cleats (the part that clip into the pedals), so you will need to have those put on. Most indoor cycling bikes use the SPD clips and they place your foot in the perfect position for maximum comfort and performance. I went to the Bike Repair Shop at 47 West Broadway (yes it’s just called that) and they were super quick and I think it was about $25 or so.

Advantages of proper shoes (not pictured above!)

Stiffer soles – Better power transfer you get when pedalling. This means that less power is lost as the shoe flexes or bends around the pedal so more power goes from your leg to the pedal and the faster you go. The stiffer sole also means you will feel more comfortable and have better balance when you are standing out of the saddle.

Your feet will stay in position  – Look cool and be stable! Your foot will not move forward or backward on the pedal so you will have one less thing to worry about as you try to follow the instructor’s directions.

Comfortable feet – If you wear soft athletic shoes your feet may actually hut. The stiff soles of the cycling shoes dissipate the pressure of the pedal over a larger area so avoiding the pain.

You get a smoother pedal stroke – Your pedals on the up stroke when pedaling, smoothing out the pedal stroke.

No laces to worry about – won’t get caught in pedals and fasten tighter.

Your shoes are light weight – more comfort here

I guarantee your workout will totally improve and you just look cooler!

-I added an affiliate link to the shoes for Amazon, so if you need a pair, help us both out. I’ve never done this before so we’ll see what happens.