Spinning Classes - Are They Right For You?
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.
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.
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. I was sweating so much by the end, one of the workers had to come around my bike with a squeegee.
Could a spinning class be right for you? Read my complete review and find out what a spinning class is all about.
Do you take spinning classes? What do you like about them? Comment below.
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Comments
Although they can make you sweat yourself silly, spin classes at health clubs have serious drawbacks. The “bikes” are disasters, extremely difficult to fit correctly. The resistance mechanisms feel completely unrealistic, the pedals do not allow real spinning, the seats are terrible. You are much better off setting up your bike on a good trainer at home and using the CTS DVD’s. The training is bike specific, not boot camp aerobics meets health club. And, if you get members of your local bike club to join you a few nights a week in winter, you’ll have more fun and work harder too.
I have been taking spinning classes for about 5 years now. They are great in the winter and spring to get you prepped for your seasonal bike rides and it is a great way to exercise. All of the classes were syncronized to music and some had aerobics in between sets. Gotta find a new place here in the west.
Spinning keeps my heart and lungs in good condition for a lengthy outdoor ride. I like to ride 30+ miles on Saturday mornings (when it is warm enough)and spin class keeps my cycling skills strong enough to do that. The stationary bikes are getting a little run down these days and the routine can seem monotonous especially when I haven’t been on a real ride in a couple of months. The spin class goers in my 5:30 a.m. class know each other by name, introduce themselves to newbies and make the sweat filled room a fun place to be. Would I rather be outside? You bet! But without the spin class, I’d have to start from scratch in the Spring.
I have been doing RPM a side exercise of spinning and love it! I love the motivation of the music and really feel I’ve had a proper workout. I’m even cranking up the resistance now. I used to cheat a bit before which is great if you are new to fitness and can’t keep up. But watch out for hawk eyed teachers: They may catch you!!!
As a Spinning Instructor, I appreciate your bringing some attention to Spin/Cycle classes. Half of my class are outdoor riders who want to keep pedaling during our very long Michigan winters and half are there for calorie burning. Although I have a specific goal for each class (intervals, hills, endurance, race) each rider is encouraged to follow his/her own performance goals if it differs from mine. Many of the outdoor cyclists have their own goal in mind and they know what they are doing. What I would love to get across to people is that the classes are for all fitness levels and there is no reason to be intimated. Sure we would all love to be outdoors all year long whether we’re cyclists or runners, but in Michigan we have to settle for the spin classes and treadmills until the ice melts and we return to the place we once knew, and euphoric that another winter has passed!
Spinning classes are what got my wife and I into biking. We love spinning in the winter and biking trail in the summer. I road bike with the bike club and commute to work in the summer. Thanks to the spinning classes.
I started spinning about a month ago & I love it. I started classes because I always bring up the rear on Saturday morning friends rides. I thought spinning would help to improve my strength & endurance. It has!!! I’m also using spinning to adjust to the clipless system. I know that when I get back on the road with the clipless shoes I’ll probably fall, but hopefully not too much.
Peace & Harmony
Barb