How Cycling Changed Me – Denise Chakoian [Beuzz]

Name: Denise Chakoian
Age: 50
Hometown: Providence, Rhode Island
Occupation: Owner and Founder of HEART (a fitness studio), personal trainer, cancer exercise specialist and fitness consultant
Reason for cycling: To stay healthy and strong, cycling has also helped me throughout my cancer journey.

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I started cycling when I was about 23 and took an indoor cycling class at the gym where I worked. I quickly fell in love and flew to Miami to get certified.

Indoor cycling gave me a feeling like I had never had in any group fitness class. I continued to take lessons and also took up road cycling. Although I didn’t do many races on my own, I fell in love with the Tour de France and Lance Armstrong during his cancer journey.

In 2004 I did a 100 mile road race for the Livestrong Cancer Foundation in Austin, Texas, and raised funds for the foundation.

My love for cycling and fitness continued, and I opened my own studio and gym, HEART in 2006. Since then, I give fitness and cycling lessons.

In 2018, at the age of 46, I was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. I had a bad cough that wasn’t getting better. It was so bad that I broke two ribs from coughing, so I did a chest X-ray. I had chemotherapy for six months and I am in remission today.

Throughout my cancer journey, I continued to teach my Saturday advanced cycling class and somehow I cycled more than ever during my cancer treatments. . It’s the only thing that really kept my cardiovascular system and my body strong.

I also made sure to eat well. I never skipped meals and always ate a balanced diet of protein, carbs, and healthy fats. I also used the Calm meditation app every night before bed and maintained a positive attitude.

After going through my cancer journey, I realized how much I know my body because I’ve been in the fitness industry since I was 19! I knew how to handle a cancer diagnosis when it was getting difficult. I also knew that keeping my body strong through cardiovascular exercise, as well as strength training, would not only help my body process chemotherapy, but also make me feel mentally strong.

I started fundraising in 2017 for the Lifespan Cancer InstituteAnd Gloria Gemma Foundation.

During the pandemic, I studied to become cancer exercise specialist through the American Council of Exercise, with the goal of being able to work in hospitals with cancer patients.

Currently, I meet with cancer patients to discuss their type of cancer, their symptoms, and how they can start or resume their exercise and wellness programs. Sometimes it is difficult for patients to maintain activity due to side effects or symptoms they experience during cancer treatment or after surgery. Overall, I have found that many patients find hope and strength simply by being able to speak, and my goal is to provide them with the assurance that they can regain their well-being.

I prepare therapy and rehabilitation exercises based on the patient’s type of cancer and their level of mobility and movement. Every patient is different, so we create a unique plan. Some patients need mobility exercises to regain movement, while others may need help getting up off the ground if they fall.

Currently I ride at least three times a week and still teach cycling in my studio. I also train instructors and new cycling teachers who come on board.

For me, cycling is a workout for well-being! It’s about moving your body, not whether you can do the fast choreography, but being with others and feeling the music and the motivation.

Honestly, cycling is my first fitness love besides full-body strength training. Cycling made me strong mentally and physically, and also got me through tough times. The people I trained were in my classes throughout Cancer, and I showed up for them to lift me up. Cycling will always have a special place for me.

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These three tips made my cycling trip a success:

1. Get the equipment

The first tip is to make sure you have a solid bike setup and proper cycling shoes to make your experience the best it can be.

2. Check your form

Learn the proper position when getting in and out of the saddle, including handlebar height and where to place your hands.

3. Take it easy

Be patient and build yourself in cycling without pressure! Be patient and you will get where you want to go!

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Denise’s essential equipment

→ TIEM shoes: I love TIEM shoes because they look like dress shoes! They are comfortable, they have a double velcro system, and you can wear them outside.

→ Lululemon Sense Knit One-Piece: It’s soft and very comfortable.

→ Lululemon Wunder Train High Rise Shorts: These are also extremely soft and very comfortable.

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