Spin classes

linsen

I know they are not like riding a real bike etc etc but I am driving around Hampshire destroying the environment instead of cycling to work so I went to one at the gym this morning.

Done well, these are great - brilliant work for the legs, heart (nearly as good as actually riding to work)

The one this morning was a shocker - at least 100rpm the whole time, no matter the resistance, or more alarmingly, no matter whether in or out of the saddle - I have booked my knee replacements. Well, actually I haven't because I ignored her and did what I thought was best.

I know I'm not a spin instructor or anything, but I think I have spent long enough on a bike to know that you get out of the saddle to push in a high gear, not sprint in a low one.

Does anyone else have any experience of these classes - good or bad?

always_tyred

I used to like to use the rowing machine right behind the stationary bikes when there was a spin class going on.

Way more interesting than looking out of the window.

SBezza

Standing sprints are fine, if you do have knee problems then obviously take it easy, but the standing sprints will challenge completely different muscles to normal in seat sprinting, or big gears out of the saddle.

I have been doing a spin class every week, for a few months now, fitness has improved, and I have had no injuries from spinning at all, just make sure you warm up before the class, and stretch afterwards. I look forward to my spin classes.

100rpm is probably the minimum I will do on a spin bike, when doing the sprints I would have thought I am over 120rpm in bouts. Spin classes are good for getting used to a high cadence as well.

linsen

Always Tyred wrote:

I used to like to use the rowing machine right behind the stationary bikes when there was a spin class going on.

Way more interesting than looking out of the window.

You say "used to". Did they ban you?

hondafanatic

I have done one of these spinning classes. For me to participate in a second one I would need to have my nasal receptors surgically removed.

Apart from that, they seem way too cliquey and full of 'heros'.

But that could just be in the gym that I go to.

Sorry that doesn't refer to your question but i felt the need to vent that one.

linsen

I know what you mean but at mine, they may act the hero, but I AM the hero - no othe rbikes parked outside the gym when I get there....

gtvlusso

I went to Finland on Business - met up with a few female skiing mates in Helsinki, they wanted to go to a spinning class before we went out to dinner - so, I went along and sat at the back of the class.......My heart rate certainly increased.

Rowing (properly) on an erg (rowing machine with a fan) is very good for the legs....

lost_in_thought

The guy who takes one of the ones I do rides a scary-nice carbon bike with aero everything, has kit to match it and thighs like tree-trunks.

I'm a bit scared of him. :shock:

I also seem to be one of the only women who are actually willing to break a sweat.

linsen

For preference I do a boxing-type class at the gym - I like hitting things :twisted:

Could only fit the spin in today when I was free.

Littigator

I don't want to join a gyn but I fancy trying spin classes. Anyone got any suggestions?

ride_whenever

get a turbo and a shouty person, and fill your rear tyre with olive oil or water, ps use the fixie obviously.

lost_in_thought

I'll bring you a day-pass or two for a virgin active if you like - there's a few near your LBS...

hondafanatic

This is a hero




This is not a hero

wgwarburton

Litts writes:

> I don't want to join a gyn but I fancy trying spin classes. Anyone got any suggestions?

Bring the fixie to Scotland and take trip from Callander over Glenogle, the Rest and Be Thankful and back over Duke's Pass... that'll get you spinning!

You'll want a couple of days, though...

Cheers,
W.

adrianb1066

Littigator wrote:

I don't want to join a gyn but I fancy trying spin classes. Anyone got any suggestions?

Some gyms let you join in classes without signing up as a member (mine does but it's in brighton so not local for you) also a lot of the larger gym companies will issue a free day pass to whet your appetite - just go online and find out when the classes are.

always_tyred

linsen wrote:

Always Tyred wrote:

I used to like to use the rowing machine right behind the stationary bikes when there was a spin class going on.

Way more interesting than looking out of the window.

You say "used to". Did they ban you?

It was okay until people noticed I was sweating BEFORE I started working out.

toshmund

I have been to some, where if you are not giving it the amateur dramatics and acting as though you are in labour...the instructor turned up the resistance. I am not into the dramatics, just gains you too much attention (throwback to Army PT lessons...blend in and hide, was the name of the game!?!?) Anyway, she turned up the resistance with a "You are not working hard enough!" comment. To which, the damned pedals/gears were stuck fast. Got to be the best CV work-out, if the class is run well.

Clever Pun

lost_in_thought wrote:

I also seem to be one of the only women who are actually willing to break a sweat.

That's something that really pisses me off in gyms... why go there and half arse it?

lost_in_thought

Clever Pun wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

I also seem to be one of the only women who are actually willing to break a sweat.

That's something that really pisses me off in gyms... why go there and half ars* it?

I agree completely with you. I'm there to lose weight and improve my fitness, and I tend to look like I'm trying... unlike almost all the other women in there.

I see a fair few women putting make-up ON before going into the gym... :shock:

However, it should be noted that Kensington is plagued with bored, wealthy housewives...

Clever Pun

lost_in_thought wrote:

Clever Pun wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

I also seem to be one of the only women who are actually willing to break a sweat.

That's something that really pisses me off in gyms... why go there and half ars* it?

I agree completely with you. I'm there to lose weight and improve my fitness, and I tend to look like I'm trying... unlike almost all the other women in there.

I see a fair few women putting make-up ON before going into the gym... :shock:

However, it should be noted that Kensington is plagued with bored, wealthy housewives...

so umm.. which one is that?

lost_in_thought

Clever Pun wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

Clever Pun wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

I also seem to be one of the only women who are actually willing to break a sweat.

That's something that really pisses me off in gyms... why go there and half ars* it?

I agree completely with you. I'm there to lose weight and improve my fitness, and I tend to look like I'm trying... unlike almost all the other women in there.

I see a fair few women putting make-up ON before going into the gym... :shock:

However, it should be noted that Kensington is plagued with bored, wealthy housewives...

so umm.. which one is that?

Virgin Active Classic - Kensington.

Jonathan M

linsen wrote:

I know they are not like riding a real bike etc etc but I am driving around Hampshire destroying the environment instead of cycling to work so I went to one at the gym this morning.

Done well, these are great - brilliant work for the legs, heart (nearly as good as actually riding to work)

The one this morning was a shocker - at least 100rpm the whole time, no matter the resistance, or more alarmingly, no matter whether in or out of the saddle - I have booked my knee replacements. Well, actually I haven't because I ignored her and did what I thought was best.

I know I'm not a spin instructor or anything, but I think I have spent long enough on a bike to know that you get out of the saddle to push in a high gear, not sprint in a low one.

Does anyone else have any experience of these classes - good or bad?

Interesting how the instructor in these things can make or break the activity.

I've been attending spinning classes (the instructor now tends to call them indoor cycling) since may. The emphasis from this particular instructor is to use HRM's, work to HR zones, and individuals adjust resistance to suit, using low, medium, high description. There is no "spinning" as such in these classes, in fact the instructor is dead set against the idea of really fast leg speeds, maybe 100rpm is the absolute max. Tends to encourage lots of longish out of saddle, high resistance sets, the result is lots of leg strength, and better hill climbing on the road.

they did get a substitute instructor in for one week, she was a " faster, faster" sort of person, wanting resistance to be ratcheted up all the time, and she sat, I kid you not, bouncing on the saddle to get the mega fast leg speed that "SPINNING IS ALL ABOUT". I went for a drink in the middle, took 10 minutes, came back and finsihed the hour the way it would usually, with a "hill".

Attending these classes regularly I've lost over a stone and endurance in building week by week. Choose a class carefully and see how it works for you.

cougie

I've taught spin classes and also been in many other classes as a pupil and the teacher does make all the difference. Some clearly have no idea what its about - some are into pushups on the bars etc, and some are hard core bikers like me.

In every class I would get a few people trying it out for the first time, and from 5 mins in you know if you'll see them again. Some sweat buckets and others just want an easy life. You never see them again. You may need to try a few gyms/instructors before you find what you need. Enjoy ! And take a big water bottle with you !

Biscuiteer

I've been to a few spin classes now and must say that although I don't quite understand them yet they do seem like good exercise. After some initial single leg exercises sitting down nearly all of the class seems to be done standing up regardless of the instructed resistance or cadence - which is mostly very high as the only english the instructor appears to know is "AND TURN IT UP NOW!!!". Sitting is limited drink breaks. I think that Jonathan M has a much better instructor than I do...

And why do they have carbon bottle cages on such heavy machines?

Jonathan M

Got to admit my instructor isn't a hardcore biker, she teaches most gym type classes, but has a passion for spin. There is nothing like the push ups or "muscle isolation" of some classes, although she will encourage leading with first one leg, then the other, for maybe a couple of minutes each side, which I take to be similar to the turbo technique of one legged pedalling. If I could show you a download of my HRM you'd see quite consistently a good long warm up period, then always a stepped pattern, with periods of resistance resulting in peaks in HR, then periods of rest. A lesson spent totally out of the saddle sounds bloody hard work, and even on a hard spin session we'll alternate between standing climb, seated climb, over maybe 10 minutes, then a couple of minutes rest,before more "climbing".

I'll stress that this seems to work for me, don't know about anyone else.



Any exercise like this will get people not really working hard, my only problem wit that is with a limited number of bikes, first come first served, there is always the chance of missing out on a session.

mcrine

I have just started doing these as the football team get a spin and circuit class for free. I cycle over to it then do both classes, I'm absolutely gubbed for the cycle home. However the spin class has introduced me to a much higher cadence than I used normally on the road bike.This has decreased my return journey time and increased my average speed. Previous to this I looked for the biggest gear and just grinded away. I would never had attended at a spin class off my own back as I thought it was just for snobs and posers.So for me it has had benefits and has improved the cycling so thumbs up.

NGale

I don't tend to do the spinning or RPM classes at my gym, like to be able to cycle at my own pace, but I may well give them a go.

I do like the Body Pump and Body Attack classes mind, they help me get fit for cycling without having to get onto a bike, so maybe a progression there.

TRADESIZE

when everyone is doing all that spinning its such a waste of energy. They should all be hooked up to dynamo's and the power stored to power the leisure centre electrics

linsen

I LOVE that idea...