Instructor Insights: Karen
Karen
Karen is our dutch import with the most wonderful accent. Her nurturing nature and vivacious energy makes it hard not to love her. Karen moved from the Netherlands to Dusseldorf with her family in 2013 and we are thankful she did! Each time you click into your bike, Karen will not only make you sweat, she will make you sparkle! If she is not in the ride room to push you to your best results of the day, she is there to train new ride instructors. With her experience of over 10 years in the cycling industry and her fun and motivating teaching style, she is successfully turning eager ride students into Rockstars on the podium. Her motto: “You are only one bike ride away from a good mood!”
Fit-focused Q’s:
What is your go-to breakfast on a busy morning? Oatmeal with oat milk, banana and berries and a big latte macchiato.
What's your best strategy to stay motivated? I think when you truly love something it isn’t hard to stay motivated and therefore no strategy is needed. So go for something you really enjoy.
The best thing we can do for ourselves after a workout is... Fuel my body, hydrate hydrate hydrate and eat peanut butter sandwiches.
Is there a special dietary regime you follow? What changes have you seen or felt since you have started it? I don’t have a specific regime, I do try to eat healthy and well balanced.
What is the best thing about a cycling class and why should everybody add cycling to their workout routine? Apart from it being insanely fun, it is a wonderful way to improve cardiovascular health without putting too much stress on the joints. It boosts your muscle endurance. Plus at the end of a cycling class you will have those endorphins flying around.
Which workout would you recommend to add to your cycling routine to get the most out of every ride? I would have to say Yoga for sure! If you spend lots of time on the bike, it is important to stretch and work on your flexibility.
What are your tips to have energy all day? Enjoying fresh air & keep on cycling, it will not only leave you energised but will also put a smile on your face all day.
Quick-fire Q’s
Best Restaurant and Bar in Düsseldorf? I would have to say The Paris Club. This restaurant has such an amazing view over Dusseldorf and the food is yummy. Before the yummy food I will have a cocktail in the bar one floor down.
Destination you are looking most forward to traveling to: Skiing in Austria! After two years with restrictions I cannot wait to hit the slopes. Also, Tanzania has also been on my wish list for a long time!
Least favourite exercise? BURPEES!
One lesson learned from the pandemic period: Very cliche maybe, but appreciate the little things in life. Take it as it comes and don’t plan too much ahead.
Silly Q’s:
Dogs, cats, neither? Definitely my Dog Scooby
You're stranded on an island. What's the one thing you'd wish you had and why? Well, I would have said my family of course but since I need to choose a thing, I will go for a fish net then.
All Images: © BECYCLE