describe stand and grind....hmmm.

OK, if it were real life biking it would be the biggest gear combo. pushing really hard, at a slow almost unrhytmic cadence. Maybe <40 strokes per minute? Anyway... it's like those guys you see trrying to climb a hill, grunting as they push their way up the hills. You'd probaly say, "there's a knee waitng to blow" when you see it.

In the class, it translates to lots of resistance on the wheel, very slow, standing cadence. The first time I ever took a spin class I just followed the instructor's pace, and had knee pain that I hadn't had in 4 years. That was the last time I did that! I know much better know to listen to my body.

Now some of the spin class leaders are really good, but there are some I almost ignore. I love the standing climbs but I refuse to go there when they want tons of resistance and a slllooooww cadence. What feels good to me is to set it for how it would feel on a long steady ( endurance) climb that I have in my head from "real" rides I do.

So- other than just what I experience in the class, how can I tell who is a good instructor? Are there different certifications? I'm at a 24 hour fitness if that makes any difference. What does one look for in a spin class? Should my gym be providing a clock with a second hand for HR monitoring?

Sorry for all the questions but there are some days I just wonder. But we have some really great class leaders too.

FWIW for real riding I am a mountain biker only.

Irulan