From novice cyclist to Njinga world champion.
33 watt increase in first 5 months and 49 watt increase across 1st year at Njinga.
Since starting her journey at Njinga Phoebe has lost over 10kg and is also feeling so much lighter in spirit.
Completed in our 2018 Njinga World Champs and came 1st in her age group and 3rd overall.
30 second average power of 506 watts - highest female score seen in the Njinga Lab.
Before Njinga
Before joining Njinga, I never did cardio workouts. Only weight training. I knew about Njinga through my mum and dad who were regulars and had been nagging me to try out a training session to no avail: Njinga just didn’t appeal to me. It seemed way too expert and intense: everyone looked really fit and I knew some members were already outdoor cyclists. I’d almost definitely be rubbish at it, so what was the point?
At some stage, my parents’ nagging turned into bribery: they’d pay for my first few indoor training sessions. A ‘try-before-you-buy’ approach, if you will, and one that gave me nothing to lose.
So off to Njinga I was. My first training session and, surprise surprise (or perhaps not so much of a surprise, since you’re reading my Njinga success story), I loved it. The instructors were fantastic, the music was great, and the workout itself was broken down into intervals with breaks for recovery. By the end of the session, I was a sweaty mess and full of endorphins, the kind I’ve never experienced from weight training. I understood immediately how Njinga sessions can get you hooked.
Phoebe taking part in an Njinga Group Indoor Training Session at the Njinga Lab.
Before and after pictures showing weight loss as a result of joining Njinga.
Phoebe receiving her winning Njinga World Championship jersey in 2019.
“It never gets easier. You just get faster,” is a quote you’ll find plastered on the wall at the Njinga Lab. And it’s true: it’s been incredible to see how I’ve progressed and how my numbers have just kept on climbing, month-on-month.
From 2018 to 2019 goals
As I write this, it’s the end of 2018 and I’ve already got my 2019 goals mapped out: I’m going to take on some Mountain Goat training sessions (which I have, so far, avoided); I want to get on two of the boards in the Lab, the Peak Power and the FTP scoreboard – which means I might knock off my mum; and I’m going to join the Firestarter Programme in January to kickstart my year. By the summer, I’m hoping to get out on the road in cleats and join the Njinga Collective.
Phoebe getting onto our FTP Improver leaderboard with an impressive 33 watt improvement.
Phoebe being crowned our Njinga World Champion age group winner in 2018.
Phoebe taking part in an Njinga Group Indoor Training Session at the Njinga Lab.
Conclusion
I can’t say enough about how Njinga has improved my mental health and wellbeing. Since starting Njinga, I have consistently set personal goals for myself which have given me the focus outside of the work that I needed to reduce my day-to-day stress. And I’m so much happier and content in myself.
To anyone considering joining Njinga, do it.
Whether you want to improve your fitness or cycling, Njinga’s workouts are based on your own personal levels which means you’re never expected to take on more than you are capable of.
The instructors are awesome and the community is phenomenal. Everyone is always so encouraging, supportive and welcoming to new riders.
Though it’s no secret that I was sceptical about coming at first, I’m so glad I took the bribe. (Okay, okay, mum and dad, you can say ‘I told you so’.)
Phoebe being awarded our Giro d' Njinga winning sprinters jersey.
Phoebe enjoying the battle with fellow Njinga riders during the Njinga World Championships.