Swampscott woman combines spinning and Madonna to win international contest

SWAMPSCOTT – Bike shorts and a workout top are a more typical outfit for a 55-minute spin class at Paradise Gym.But the Madonna-inspired cone bra and spacesuit Terri Miller wore to lead her Halloween class won the local fitness instructor an international contest.”I never do anything in moderation – I take it to the next level,” admitted Miller, who’s a spin instructor at Paradise Gym in Swampscott. “I just try to be creative and take monotony out of a class.”Miller described spinning as “a cardiovascular exercise done on specially designed stationary bikes formatted to work different muscles.”Basically, Miller leads participants on a simulated ride up and down hills and along race courses on the gym’s 21 stationary bikes that can be adjusted for resistance.But pretending to climb hills for the 15 years she has been teaching the class can get a little tedious, Miller admits.So she mixed a hurricane-themed soundtrack to welcome Hurricane Irene. Her Homecoming Class last year had participants donning athletic and cheerleader uniforms.But the eight costume changes and the dance routines for the Halloween spin earned Miller the top prize in the 2011 Mad Dogg Athletics Gift Guide Contest.The contest, held by the company that Miller said originated spinning as an exercise trend, seeks a person who can “best illustrate their passion for spinning.”Miller’s video of her 2010 Halloween Spin was selected from among more than a thousand entries to make it to the final five videos posted to YouTube. Her tribute to Madonna’s “Vogue,” “Thriller” by Michael Jackson and David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” garnered the most “likes” and she won the grand-prize Spinning Bike.”It’s comical, but it’s standing room only,” she said of the attendance for her classes.Plus it keeps her entertained – and busy.Miller said that this year’s class includes songs and choreography by Queen, Katy Perry, Milli Vanilli, David Bowie and more.She and her son – who has been her onstage partner for the event while her husband helps with the costume changes – memorized the rap from Nicki Minaj and Trey Songz’ “Bottoms Up.””It’s fun. She’s fun,” said fellow employee Allison DiLisio. “She makes her own professionally blended music, blends songs all up custom-made. She’s amazing.”Miller is also dedicated.She remembers to throw in special songs at birthdays, changes the music for each class and provides a welcome distraction from the soreness of their muscles, class participant Lisa Spinale said.Spinale said her youngest daughter even had a spinning bachelorette party, where Miller led the class through wedding-themed music while wearing a veil.”It’s a group of people that’s been following her, it’s like a cult,” Spinale said, noting she had been participating in the class for 15 years. “It’s a friendly atmosphere, very supportive, we all clap for each other.”As for the Halloween class – “it’s the highlight of the year,” Spinale said. “It’s a great show to watch – it makes exercising fun, you’re not even aware of your tired legs, or your lack of breath.”Miller said she loves it. She said she never thought of herself as an athlete, but got into spinning after seeing the result of having children on her body. She works out twice a day now – stepping aside from her full-time job as a salesperson. She turns 49 in two weeks.But she seemed a little bit apprehensive about next year’s class. She noted she has to “up the ante.” But she also is thinking about a retirement – her son’s:”He wants to retire,” she said. “He’s a freshman in college.”Paradise Gym is located at 21 Elm Place in Swampscott.Cyrus Moulton can be reached at [email protected].