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
I absolutely love to spin!!!!!I have been spinning for 6 months 3-4 times a week. I really think the music and whos teaching the class is a huge factor. No doubt about it, its a very hard workout
Being an avid road cyclist and spinning instructor, I can attest to the benefits of both means of exercise.
I hammered out close to 5,000 miles on my road bike last year, and I teach 3-5 spinning classes a week.
I love it! Being an ex-distance runner, the cycling allows me to go beyond the norms of cardio related exercise, but it spares my knees the associated pain.
The biggest kick I get out of stationary spinning is sharing my adventures with my students. The music is loud, hard driving, and the sweat is flying.
I am always honest with my students, and I have told them many times, “When you are tired, I am tired. I just get tired with a smile on my face.”
Count me in as someone else that loves spinning! give me a good teacher and some good music and I’m a happy girl. okay, maybe not that happy DURING the hour i’m working out, but very happy as soon as I’m done! The more I sweat, the more I feel like I accomplished something good for myself!
I just have started spinning classes a month ago with my daughter. I really enjoy them and gives the energy for my everyday activities. The music and the lights keep me going and going and pedaling. It’s a great work out.
Ive been spinning for almost a year (10-11 months) to be exact!!
, I’ve shed 7 kilos to this day, do up to 2-3 times a week (but a max 4 times, since i heard doing it everyday isn’t good for you). My next goal is to get cycle shoes 
I typically spin when I can’t be on the road riding. I do spinning out of the saddle for an hour as a climb (about 800 cals). This augments the “head down/ in the saddle” riding I do on the roads. Nice to be able to hear some tunes and not have to avoid traffic. I have my favorite tunes that match my cadence.
The colossal reason to joining the gym is the diversity of classes available. The spinning class eggs me on to test my endurance and increase my dexterity. I look forward to aerobics as well… but for the past 3 yrs, i have found the spinning to fit into my vibe, induced by the booming high volumes. Originally, technological visualizations are projected, so sights engage you into the groove. Yet, without this installation, i think there are other relevant considerations that prevail – the commitment vehemently shown by the trainer, the variety of music to live throughout the weeks etc… thus, motivation can be affected positively in this program, ignoring any discomfiture.
I think spinning is a great exercise. I prefer to ride outside of course, but living in UT, riding in the winter can be uncomfortable and dangerous. “Group” fitness has a lot of advantages in my mind, namely an instructor and others in the class to help motivate you. Sitting in your own house on a trainer can be somewhat boring. Spinning also allows me to push harder aerobically than I would if I were riding because I don’t have to worry about going too hard and suffering on the ride home.
I spin at least 2-3 times a week and love it!
It is a fun and lively way to keep fit and meet people as a lot are regulars!
You won’t leave a spin class without having owrked up a good sweat – And if you do then you havn’t cranked up the resistance enough =oP
if sceptical, you should definitely give it ago…I didn”t think I’d be able to keep up but I’m now a regular spinner and find the routine of classes after work addictive now!
I have been doing spinning for a week now. I love the cranked up music and the visualizations the instructor gives. I am a beginner brand new to spinning so I have my gear much lower than the instructor gives but as many others have said I still leave drenched with sweat.
spin class is one of the most challenging fitness classes i’ve ever participated in. i work out 5 times a week doing everything from cardio kickboxing to pilates, but i can barely make it through a spin class. that’s not really a bad thing, though. i know spinning will boost my cardio and endurance to an even higher level, and that keeps me motivated.
I disagree with Tim. Although it is always great to get outdoors a spin class is a great 1 hour workout. The bikes at other clubs must be cheap, because at my gym they fit really well and feel very similar to a real bike.
I started attending spin classes a few months ago after having my 2nd child. I find it to be the best work out for me. I’ve never worked out so hard in my life. I highly recommend it to anyone who needs a change in their work out and motivation to keep going.
I’ve found the spin class to be a very intense workout. I just started taking them at my local gym a week ago, and bowed out gracefully after participating in my first class for 30 min. of the 45 min. workout. Our instructor warned the newcomers to be prepared to feel it later on in our glutes. However maybe because I’m a jogger I didn’t feel anything there. The discomfort was in my upper thighs during and after the class. But guess what, I was back again for the next one a couple of days later and hung in there the whole time. I’ve been intimidated by this classes for quite some time, but now that I’ve gotten involved I’m committing myself to being there twice a week.
I’m newly joined spinning class.I exercise three times a week and really enjoy it. It’s wonderful. I become so fresh and full of energy after class. I propose everyone to do it. If I had enough time i would do it every day.Thanks to my friend who made me aware of this class.
I have been doing this crazy,sweaty,loud,hard,easy,fun,cardio,endurance,persistence,never-give-up,push it to the limit,add more resistance,add,add,add,add…Crazy thing called SPINNING for 7 years and would NEVER go back to boring stairmasters and treadmills. This is for the 5:45 am class at LA Fitness, COME ON!!!!
After reading everyone’s comments I think Im going to give it a try!!. I am not athletic, im not even in good shape! But I joined the gym 2 weeks ago and I love a good challenge. The trainers at the gym have been hounding me to try the spin classes and I have been terrified of making a fool of myself!! Cant wait now, thanks!
I’ve just started a spin class two days ago and I got to say like every one else it is the best. I’m a runner and have enjoyed running but this spin class has pushed me to a different level.
Spinning really is a great alternative to doing nothing in the winter. It hurts but when you’re done it feels good!