Spinning: What's with the weird hand positions?

[VW Beetle]

I've learned so much browsing this board in the past few weeks, and you have now inspired me to go for some spinning classes(!), which I will be starting in February.

So I took a look at the "official" Spinning website. I was a little baffled by the hand positions described in their handout, particularly #1 and #2.(http://media.godashboard.com/spinnin..._Positions.pdf) I had assumed that the basic hand position would be similar to riding the hoods on a road bike, but not so, apparently. The hand position for seated flats has the hands folded together in something like polite first-grade "hands-folded-on-desk" style. Even position 2, which supposedly opens the lungs for out-of-saddle movements, seems to have the hands only a few inches apart, which seems kind of cramped to me. Do people really stick to these positions?

Can anybody enlighten me?

[Irulan]

that's probably for official Spinning (TM) classes. They do some other brand at my gym and hand positions are never discussed.

~i.

[Raindrop]

Yeah, the hand positions only apply to the Spinning program. Other valid certifications (Heartzones, Reebok, Schwinn. Lemond etc.) do not address them.

[Eden]

They look like they might be emulating time trial and/or triathalon (aerobar) positions?

[SpinSis]

My instructors use the terms for Position 1, 2, and 3 and they look similar to what you read. But frankly, I rarely do the "good student" grip--but instead adjust for seating or standing. I find my main concentration is just keeping my knees and back comfortable and safe with proper seat and handlebar adjustment, and staying loose on the grips so that I'm not leaning on them. It's a good time to focus on your core.

Have fun!
S

[VW Beetle]

Thanks, everyone. Guess I'll find out soon enough!

[Jen]

That's madd dog athletics. They are weird. There are kind of three types of spinning. One emulates a real ride and one is diffent exercises, and LeMond is like a very competitive training exercise. I do RPM which is like a real ride outdoors, all tracks follow the work and recover pricipal of cycling. I love spinning.

[Raindrop]

I also wanted to add, that the hand positions don't really work well on some of the different models of indoor bikes...the lemond bikes particularly. (I'm still trying to get used to them since I teach at a club that has them, but luckily...I'm not married to the Maddog hand positions)

[hellokelli]

To me the 3 hand positions seem natural. When you'r standing it's just easier to hold the end of the handle bars, and when you are starting off doing a warm up, its natural to put your hands in the center. My spinning instructor also says that the hand positions help take the action off your arms. In other words, you don't want to use your arm's muscles to hold yourself up, you should be using your core and your legs only.

[Jen]

I also wanted to add, that the hand positions don't really work well on some of the different models of indoor bikes...the lemond bikes particularly. (I'm still trying to get used to them since I teach at a club that has them, but luckily...I'm not married to the Maddog hand positions)

I have to teach on the LeMond bikes at two clubs. I really hate them. It seems like you are spinning straight up and down. Don't like the feel, the resistance, nothing. In fact, I try not to teach at those clubs. I far prefer the schwinn. On the leMond bikes, the handlebars are weird. You only use the top part for hanging things. Ugh. They did some good marketing. They also fall apart quickly. Many are broken at both gyms I go to.

[Raindrop]

Jen, I feel a lot like you. The set up of the bikes makes you feel very "upright" and not at all like a real bike set up (road or mountain). I do like the belt driven drive, although on this bike it takes way too many turns to adjust your setting. Phew! I'm just trying to get comfortable on the bikes. It's kind of hard to instruct when you're not at ease on the bike you're teaching from.

P.S. I am very aware that many of the participants don't ride outside...but, I also have many that do and replicating a ride is hard when the bike doesn't give them that ability.

[janetsplanet]

The hand positions depend on the type of bike..I always try to keep close to the road positions on my bike so I am building the core musles for road biking.
Some spin bike you can and some you cant..When you stand use the position keeps all of your weight on you legs..My instructor says you should be able to feel the seat when you stand.. To know for sure try no bounce where nothing moves from your waist up. All action and strength comes from lower body. Do that off and on for a whole song and your thighs should be singing the blues and getting tight....