Quote Originally Posted by squirrell View Post
This time, I did "my own thing" pretty much--stood up when they did but also sat when I wanted--didn't do the push-ups on the bars, etc.

I was semi impressed that the instructor seemed to get through the routine without breaking a sweat--then, I went back in after the class had left to do some spinning on my own (my "Y" will allow you to use the bikes yourself if the room isn't in use) and she had left her bike out, so I jumped on that to use since it was already out. The tension on her bike was set at the lowest level you could get! Now, I'm not saying that she couldn't have reset the tension AFTER the class but hey, you bet I'm thinking it!
I don't know about other cycling instruction, but Johnny G spinning specifically prohibits pushing up on the bars, waving hands around, etc. The risk of injury is too great - and - if you want to do upper body work, there are much better ways to accomplish it.

As far as the instructor not breaking a sweat because her bike tension was low - that's OK. The instructor is there to lead her class in THEIR workout - not HER workout. The caveat is that she needs to keep her cadence to a reasonable level so that the class can participate safely. But, her main focus should be her class. Hopefully she is practicing her spinning profiles separately to insure that the workout flows - that is when she gets her exercise.

HAVING SAID ALL THAT ---

Why not set up your own personal spinning routine? Get your MP3 player, put some music on that you like & grab a bike when you can be alone. Be sure you put warm up & cool down music on & try to vary your workout between sitting, standing, fast & slow cadence, etc. My own spinning profiles are my favorite