Looking for a good workout with an even better playlist? Then you might want to head over to REV Cycle Studio for one of Sean Sanders’ classes. This high energy instructor will make you work hard while trying to restrain your body from all out dancing in his fun 45 minute class offered at both the Brewers Hill and Locust point locations. We caught up with Sanders to discuss his time at REV, how he creates his dynamite playlists, and what he would be doing if he wasn’t a spin instructor.

When do you start teaching spin and how did you get involved with REV?
I’m originally from Knoxville, TN, and I moved here about four years ago, and decided to do an internship with FX Studios, which is how I met the Rick who is a co-owner of REV and it just kind of went from there. I started working at the front desk of the studio in Locust Point, but I have always been very passionate about fitness. I had been working there close to a year and I only took maybe three classes, just because I didn’t feel like spin was for me. But I saw how it impacted a lot of different people and our customers daily and that made me want to be part of it. After that, I decided to become an instructor. 

How has spin has impacted your life?  
Physically, I feel that I have gotten a lot stronger, faster, and my endurance has definitely gone up. I’ve always been a people person, but ever since I started spin the way I talk to others has changed and I feel like I am more engaging. It’s also impacted me by being very rewarding. I love that I’m helping people. I had a lady come up to me the other day and tell me about all the weight she lost taking the class and it made me feel good. The classes can also benefit your mental health by taking 45 minutes to really focus on yourself. 

How many classes do you teach a week?
I teach 8-10 classes a week and I teach at both studios. I was actually the first full-time instructor at REV.

What do you think makes REV stand out from other gyms?
Oh man, a lot! It’s the way we impact the community. There is always an outreach program and charity rides for people in need. It’s also very personal. If it’s your birthday, we acknowledge that and might put something on your bike.

How do you go about picking music for your classes?
I have to admit, it’s a lot of work. I work with Soundcloud and Spotify to put it into a 45-minute mix. There are some instructors that play strictly hip-hip or some that just play pop. I feel like I’m in between. Sometime I’ll go from an EDM song to a hip-hop song to rock and roll. 

What’s your favorite song to spin to?
It’s probably ‘Take It All Back’ by Judah and the Lion. It’s a mix between country and alternative and then it picks up at the end. It’s just one of those songs I had on my very first playlist I ever made and I still play and see everyone go nuts.

What would you say is your favorite fitness trend?
I’m currently training for an Ironman triathlon on May 20. So I’d have to say racing.

If you were not a fitness instructor what would you be?
Honestly, it probably would be something to do with fitness, like personal training. I am also a year away from my degree in information systems, so maybe even doing something with cyber security.

What would you tell people that haven’t been to REV before, that might be a little intimidated to take a class? 
I would tell them not to be scared. It can be intimidating to try something new. I have clients that never want to sit in the front row because they feel like people are looking at them or judging them if they aren’t doing the right thing. I always tell my clients the same thing and that is to do what you can. The minute you step through the door, it’s a judgement-free zone. 

Stepping into Huck’s American Craft (3728 Hudson St., 443-438-3380) is like taking an epic, cross-country road trip. With license-plate art on the wall, Southern rock on the stereo, and a robust menu of regional favorites, we can travel to all 50 states without leaving Brewers Hill. Opened by husband and wife Lori and Charlie Gjerde along with Carrie Podles (who co-own Alexander’s Tavern and Papi’s Tacos in Fells Point), the warm and inviting corner bar has been slinging drinks since June 2015 and just launched its food menu in January.

We started things off with a selection from Huck’s well-curated cocktail menu, which is broken down into Maryland-style crushes, infused bourbons, and classic mixed drinks. Fittingly, we went with the Huckleberry Fizz—a tart blend of Buffalo Trace Bourbon, huckleberries, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda. Huck’s craft beer list is downright impressive, with hard-to-find varieties like Uinta Brewing out of Utah or New Hampshire’s Smuttynose. But hometown pride had us sticking with Raven Beer’s Annabel Lee White ale.

While perusing the food menu, we enjoyed the regional cuisine theme with options like New England clam chowder, a Philly cheese steak, and a Minnesota Juicy Lucy burger. Ultimately, we decided our drinks would best be soaked up by the Texas Frito pie—corn chips, chili con carne, New York aged cheddar, and pickled peppers—baked in a cast-iron pan. The hearty appetizer packed some serious heat and was a nice counterbalance to the brighter notes of our drinks.

Just before we paid our tab, our knowledgeable bartender convinced us to indulge in Huck’s “adult” root beer float consisting of house-made vanilla ice cream and Not Your Father’s Root Beer, a 6-percent ABV creation out of Illinois. As we took the final sips of our snappy dessert, we couldn’t wait to take another interstate trip at Huck’s.