INSTRUCTOR BIOS

Brandon Hament - owner/instructor

A South Pas native, Brandon Hament opened up the doors to The Cycle Annex in October of 2007. His intention was to create a central hub where fitness-minded individuals (of all levels) can connect with each other and experience the awesome benefits of indoor cycling. Since 2004 Brandon has competitively raced in multiple triathlons. He fully understands the discipline involved with endurance sports training and maintaining general fitness goals. He thoroughly enjoys the fusion of the open road and indoor cycling - "I challenge any road / mountain cyclist to take a class at The Annex and reap more power and more endurance". He enjoys working with beginners as well as seasoned and competitive athletes - ALL ARE WELCOME.

+ TRX TRAINING IS HERE! PERSONAL TRAINING SESSIONS W/ BRANDON +

+ LISTEN TO BRANDON IN HIS CYCLE ANNEX PODCAST INTERVIEW HERE +

+ BRANDON'S GALLERY +


+ TRX BIO / TRAINER INFORMATION PAGE +

Michele Pusateri - instructor

After 2 kids and turning 40, Michele decided it was time to get back into shape. She purchased her beloved Bianchi Café Racer and began riding it to the local farmers market. After the first time, she realized she needed some cardio help.  She signed up for some spin classes and was hooked! 
7 years later, she has become an avid cyclist, marathon & half marathon runner and cardio fanatic. She has been on the podium in her age group in the Trek Womens Duathlon, and multiple 5k & 10k races.  Michele is currently a proud member of the Pasadena Tri Club, and the PAA Womens Cycling Team.
When she isn't teaching, you can find her riding all over California, from the Tour De Palm Springs to the Gran Fondo LA 2011. Michele leads several rides a week, a Tuesday beginner ride and a Thursday advanced coached ride. A Schwinn certified indoor cycling instructor, Michele’s classes are designed to get your blood pumping and free your mind.  Always pushing students to try new things, be healthy and to go out and play!

Come and run sometime!

xoxoxoxxoo Michele

Shirin Beckett - instructor

My name is Shirin Beckett. I’m a Star3 Maddogg Spinning instructor. I’m a marathoner and I am a cyclist.

As part of my growth, and my need to improve, I constantly look for ideas and ways to improve my rides; ways to reach; ways to help. “Saving the world”… I’m not! But I know I am making a difference.

My style is different. I coach, and I “keep it real”. Cycling indoors is a sport. We use it to train and get stronger. I don’t have much time for, or any interest in fluff. You will not like my class if you want to zone out and spin really fast without resistance, just to feel your breath catch in your throat and your face to turn red! You will not like my class and will not come back if you think contraindicated movements are cool and fun! I am a firm believer that unsafe and ineffective  movements(contraindicated movements) such as popcorn jumps, hovers, upper body training as one rides, pedaling backwards, pedaling without resistance and at 140rpm, freezing/isolating, riding without a saddle, and many other ridiculous moves, don’t belong on a bike. I don’t practice them, and I educate my riders against doing them.

When you join my rides, we don’t exercise, we “train” together. We get stronger together and we get the results that we seek. My goal is to keep you safe and to help you reach your goals. Does it take hard work? You bet. Does it take commitment? You bet. Do we have fun training this way? Ask my guys!

I offer my riders Lactate Threshold workshops to help target their training. I teach special events, using virtual rides videos, so those who have never been on a bike outdoors, can “See” what we are trying to achieve on our rides. I bring in a drummer so my riders can “hear” the beat and find the right exact cadences and the right hill as they climb.

I’m having a blast and I learn something new every day. My riders are having a blast and they learn something new every day. It’s about the team. It’s about our bond, our trust in each other and our faith in each other. It’s about making a difference!

Keeping it Real.

Shirin Beckett

Leslie Field - instructor

I believe that exercise should be a part of everyone’s life; it not only keeps us looking great but keeps us feeling energized, healthy and happy. Although this may sound like a generic statement; it is a belief that I hold dear to my heart and it’s the motivating force that gets me up in the morning to teach group fitness. Just like any stranger, there is more to me than what meets the eye.
I have first hand experience with being overweight (25 pounds more experience) and I know the type of hard work and determination, not to mention sacrifice, that it takes to maintain a healthy weight and healthy lifestyle. The journey to where I am now wasn’t easy; I have had many blessings that have helped me to get here, and there have been many roadblocks too. Nine years ago I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and have anywhere from 15-20% function remaining. I am at the stage right before total renal failure-dialysis-transplantation. I wasn’t supposed to have made it this long without a transplant – I have been more than lucky and I try to remember this point every day. I would say the hardest day-to-day issue living with this disease isfatigue; I have battled many years with this enemy!
For me, exercise is the single most important factor that affects my energy level. For years I was eating the wrong foods and was way too sedentary. One day I flipped the switch, made a promise to myself to start a healthier life, and here I am feeling the happiest and most energized I’ve felt since being diagnosed all those years ago. I am a walking, talking and cycling example that exercise can make you feel good and can give you back your energy. I live my life as a ‘glass half-full’ type of person and I bring that positive energy everywhere I go and share it with everyone I come into contact with. You bring yourself to my class, I'll bring the energy and positivity!

Anna-Lisa Sharar - instructor

A Pasadena native, Anna-Lisa Sharar has been an enthusiastic indoor cyclist since 1998 and became a certified instructor in 2005.  She views indoor cycling as an excellent training tool toward becoming a stronger outdoor cyclist.  In her free time, she can be found climbing the road to Chantry Flats, riding along the San Gabriel River Trail to the beach and back, or exploring new sights on her road bike.  Anna-Lisa's varied athletic pursuits include two-time Wild Miles Adventure (185-mile running) Relay finisher, competing in and completing several 5Ks, 10Ks, and half marathons and canyoneering.  She is completing work on her Master's degree in Landscape Architecture at Cal Poly Pomona.

Cecil Smith - instructor

Claremont resident Cecil Smith was first certified to teach indoor cycling in 2001. He developed his trademark laid-back, yet intense teaching style over years as a response to the "meld mind and body" philosophy on the bike. Cecil's varied athletic pursuits have included speed-hiking the Grand Canyon North Rim to South Rim, summiting Mount Whitney, completing the Los Angeles Marathon, and competing in the teams division of the 24 Hours of Laguna Seca mountain bike race (on two weeks of training!). Cecil currently works for the South Pasadena Unified School District as a Computer Lab Instructor/IT Tech and is a volunteer board member for the Children's Hospital Hollywood - Teen Impact Program.

Jon Dephouse - instructor

A South Pasadena resident, Jon has been a fitness enthusiast for numerous years. Jon is an All-American college sprinter in track and field. He has completed two marathons and numerous triathlons including an iron distance race in 2008. Having taught indoor cycling for four years in L.A., and as a master instructor in the D.C. area, Jon's motivating and high energy classes always bring out the most in his students. Whether one seeks weight loss, general improved fitness, or to enhance training for endurance athletics, Jon is passionate about helping people of all levels experience the holistic life transformative effects of indoor group cycling. When he's not cycling, he works as an Episcopal Priest at a local parish and loves spending time around town with his beautiful wife Sarah Lynn and his son Caleb.

Saturday: "All Levels" Classes - All levels welcome.