I just came away from a gym that has spinning classes (I am shopping for a gym). I know NOTHING about spinning class, but I am dying to try. I don't know the etiquette, I am totally green. The first thing I was surprised at was that you could not reserve a space, you have to show up probably one half hour before to get a 'card'. So the first thing I find out is that it is not like booking my pilates class where I can call up and reserve a space. Is this normal procedure? Seems like a waste of time if I race home from work to find out that it is full already (to make their 6:00pm class). I told the sales rep that this was not a great selling point for me, but they say it is the norm with their gyms (which is a national chain).

Anything else to expect in a spinning class that an ordinary person might not know?