EMAIL THREAD

spinning classes

What does everyone think to spinning classes???

Mon. Aug 20, 3:40pm

great workout and it is tough to leave so you have to finish. It is almost like having a personal trainer work you out.

Monday, August 20, 2007, 3:45 PM

Lots of sweating!

Bring water, a towel if your gym doesn't provide one, and pace yourself!

It's a great cardio workout, you can burn as much as one does running, if not more and it's less stressful on your joints! I love it!

Monday, August 20, 2007, 3:52 PM

I am a certified instructor, so I'm biased =)

Classes are a lot of fun and hard work. Finding an instructor you like is important in the beginning. They've got to be motivating for you. This is different for everyone. Some people like gentle encouragement, others like guilt and some even like it a bit mean, just realize that they are there to motivate you, so don't take it to offense.

In the beginning, which for most people is about 1 month, take it easy. Start slow w/ a class or two a week and don't take all the add-ons. Push yourself comfortably. As your comfort level on the bike and your fitness improves, start pushing yourself. Try not to overdue it - which is really easy - b/c slow recoveries can be discouraging. If you really want to get into "spinning shape", which is different from running shape or other sports, you will need to attend at least 3 classes a week or start supplementing w/outdoor biking. If you want to use spininng as a once a week thing, that's great, just don't do all the add-ons. Even if you are in great shape it will be killer.

A few keys:
* It's your workout - how hard you work is up to you. Particpants who blame a bad instructor, bad music or boring fellow participants aren't really understanding that though it is group exercise, you are still the best person to motivate yourself

* It's your workout 2 - don't compare your cadence or tension to anyone else. everyone's different and bikes uniquely.

* Form is key - Make sure to have your bike properly fit and pay special attention to correct form initially. Problem w/biking injuries is b/c it's low impact they take awhile to surface. by that time your muscle memory will make it hard to correct, so just start correctly. If your studio has it, use the mirrors and look for keys to good form (ask instructor)

Good luck with it!

Monday, August 20, 2007, 4:11 PM

I LOVE spinning. Its weirc cause whenevr I go to the classes I get a bit nervous and apprehensive cause I know how much im gonna sweat and work. But after I always feel great.

Monday, August 20, 2007, 4:54 PM

4:11 has some great points. Spinning is hard and even if you are in great shape already it will be taxing on your body! Make sure you go at your own pace (push yourself but not too hard!)-the first time I went to a spinning class I ended up getting sick and having to leave during the last part of class, I overdid it!

Bring lots of water.

Show up to class a few minutes early, introduce yourself to the instructor, tell them you are new and ask them to show you how to adjust the bike for your build/comfort level.

Have fun!!!

Monday, August 20, 2007, 9:56 PM

Question for the Certified Instructor:

You mentioned that Spinning shape is different from Running Shape...How?

Do you work only your lower body? Or does your whole body benefit?

Kellz

Tuesday, August 21, 2007, 12:01 AM

Each class of activity develops the body in different ways depending on the type - even though some are similar. Eg cycling and runnning devlop the lower body but in specific ways and therefore produce different results.
Both are great ways of increasing fitness, but not as good at burning fat as the intensity is often higher than the body requires to burn fat exclusively.
Depending on what you are looking for!

Tuesday, August 21, 2007, 1:52 AM

Thanks

Thanks for all the useful posts - I will book my first spinning class. I'm doing lots of other classes but wasn't sure how I'd enjoy this. Appreciate your comments.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007, 7:59 AM

To the Certified Instructor: What are the add-on's you mentioned? Thanks.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007, 10:18 AM

I love spinning too, but haven't done it in awhile. I do have a funny story to share. I encouraged my husband to go spinning with me, believing he was in relatively good shape. He got off the bike after about 10 minutes and couldn't walk normally for a week, he was so sore!!! Luckily he's a teacher and it happened over summer break. You really do have to go your own pace and don't set the tension so hard that you're going to hurt yourself.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007, 10:29 AM

Add-ons traditionally refer to tension increases w/ the knob. It increases the intensity of the workout.

I refer to add-ons as anything that increases the intensity of the workout. The intensity of your workout on the bike is a combination of tension and cadence. If you have a lot of tension but your cadence is too slow then you aren't getting as much benefit as you could if you decreased the tension and maintained a good cadence. As you improve your strength, fitness and spinning legs you will find that you can handle more tension at a given cadence.
Your cadence should be between 45-120 rev per min (RPM). Different instructors have different ranges based on their training and comfort level. To count your RPM take one hand and place it above the corresponding knee and count how many times your knee hits your hand in 15 sec, then multiply times 4.

Intensity is also increased w/bursts of either speed or tension. These bursts are usually called intervals or sprints. Spinning classes tend to use a lot of them, not so much for their fitness value but b/c it keeps people interested and involved in the class.

Skipping add-ons or intervals is fine. In the beginning or if you're having a blah day, I recommend to try maybe taking every second, third or even fourth add- on. Also, this is where a heart rate monitor comes in handy. If it's only 10 min into class or if you want to workout tomorrow, you shouldn't be redlining, above about 85% MHR, if you are or are close to it, skip the interval and keep your pace going to let your body settle down.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007, 11:30 AM

Do you all use the spin class shoes? I hear they work different muscle groups.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007, 8:56 AM

I love cycling outside, but have always found spinning to be dull, dull, dull - and I've tried with a variety of intructors in a variety of gyms. My problem is exactly that "it's my workout." If, like me, you need someone to force you into working hard as you can have a tendency to cop out too easily, then spinning might not be for you.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007, 9:54 AM

with the cycling shoes you are forced to be more active on the pull-up at the end of your pedal stroke. most people just push and get lazy on the pull. I found pulling works my inner thighs really well. when i don't wear the shoes, i don't feel like that area works out as well.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007, 7:47 PM

when i start using

So I took my first spinning class this weekend. A spinning class is a group workout on exercise bikes. My brother is a member at a health club, and got me a pass to come join him. He usually goes to this spinning class three times per week and has talked at some length about how great it is and that I really should give it a whirl sometime.testking 70-649 Regular readers of this space know that I ride year-round as a commuter, plus do longer group and bike trail rides for fun when the weather is nice. Coming from that mindset, I have to admit that I wondered at the appeal of "riding" indoors, when being outside is usually at least an occasional option. But being a good sport, I gave it a try. And it was . . . okay. testking 312-50 I'm not sure I could do it three times a week. And I know that I definitely prefer riding outdoors. But it was a workout, that's for sure.testking 70-299 I was sweating so much by the end, one of the workers had to come around my bike with a squeegee.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009, 5:37 AM

Spinning is ok - but it my my thigh really big and muscly

Wednesday, August 26, 2009, 5:56 AM

Love Spinning went to my first class and now I am addictied. I have also lost close to 30 lbs going 3 times a week and watching what I eat. I have not cycled outdoors yet and I heard that it is a totally different experience. A group of cyclists from the spin classes are going to do a 30 mile ride to the beach and back so it will be 60 miles. I want to try it but don't if I can ride 60 miles, but there is only one way to find out. Any tips to from outdoor cyclist?

Wednesday, August 26, 2009, 11:12 AM

60 miles on a road bike on paved roads/paths is not so bad. Do you have clipless pedals/shoes (the kind that "click" together) or toe baskets? Do you have cycling shorts? Gloves? Those all make the ride a lot more enjoyable. And of course, a helmet.
It is worth buying the shorts and gloves if you don't already have them (shorts are nice for spin class too) and if you like cycling outside invest in clipless pedals/shoes in the future.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009, 11:08 PM

After reading this thread, I took the spin class at my gym that I have been interested in for months, but was a little bit intimidated... It was AWESOME! I had such a great workout, I was drenched in sweat by the end of the class. Thank you, everyone, for such great advice... I will be in that class at least once a week now, on a regular basis! I can't wait for the next one! (although I am a little sore today, so actually am glad that there is a couple day reprieve... lol)

Thursday, August 27, 2009, 3:10 PM

I am glad that you tried the spin class and overcame the intimidation good for you!!!! I know that when I started I felt the same way but once I did it I am now addicted. Keep it up it is a great work and yes give your muscles some time to rest.

Saturday, August 29, 2009, 11:27 PM

I did my first ever spinning class earlier today and was absolutely wet through end exhausted by the end of it.. but completely exhilarated!!! It was great!!

One thing I am curious about though is that the instructor didn't sweat a drop! Not one.. in a 45 minute class.. I mean, come on.. was she faking it?? Surey no one is that fit!?!?!

Saturday, July 3, 2010, 9:42 AM

they are intense but if you wanna get in shape i suggest it it requires someone with will and self control i now own a spinning bike and they have built in workouts that are good too. i highly recommend spinning classes!

Sunday, July 4, 2010, 12:48 PM

Wow, fiber crafter that I am, I automatically assumed spinning had to do with turning wool or linen or cotton into yarn. Who knew it was an actual, real, physical, aerobic exercise?! LOL

Tuesday, July 6, 2010, 6:05 PM

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