first spin class

[Zeek]

i always have my padded shorts on. (well not always as i'm not sitting here in my office wearing them, but you get the idea). some folks scoff at me (mostly men it seems) but i don't care, no point hurting my tush, right? and i think more folks than not in the classes i've gone to have them on, though not usually the instructors now that i think about it, which is odd and now i want to hear from any of the instructors on the board. anyway, i wear the same shoes i ride my road bike in and i wouldn't spin without the shoes or the shorts. so no, you won't look like a greenhorn if you wear both of them to a class.

i don't tend to wear my cycling jerseys though, but that may just be me. i did chuckle at a guy who came to class once, and it was clear he was new since he didn't know how to set up the bike. he had on the full regalia (all but the helmet and i almost imagine he had it in his car just in case). he had on the gloves and the jersey (the two things i don't wear). then the spin instructor kicked his butt. he was literally draped over the handlebars (made my back ache just looking at him). i hate to say it was kinda funny, is that evil of me?

I wear my cycling shorts, and a spinning jersey and my gloves when I instruct. My palms sweat and the gloves help absorb the sweat so I don't slip all over the handlebars. Some spinning bikes now have more of a padded bar where you don't necessarily need gloves. It depends on the bikes in your studio. I also wear cycling shoes with SPD clips (note: not all spinning bikes have the SPD pedals--some only have the toe cages--you should check with the facility where you are going to spin).

As far as an spinning instructor "kicking" someone's butt, again, I reiterate, it's up to YOU what intensity level you take it to. You need to listen to your body, learn to relax, and let your legs carry you through. If you feel your form starting to suffer, that's your body telling you it's time to take a break. Sit back, relax, release some resistance and gain control of your breath and your pedal strokes. Join back in when you're ready to. It's all about YOU, the rider.

There's nothing wrong with riding in your full cycling gear. If that's what makes you feel like you're really riding outdoors, than go for it. No one should feel they are being judged in the cycling room. It's a non-competitive class. The competition is within yourself and not with anyone else (and especially not with the instructor).

[Possegal]

yay, i said she kicked someone else's butt, not mine. i don't let them do that to me, i ride to my own level and the level my surgical knee lets me. just saying, since it seems you are telling me to not let them do that and i've said i don't, and that's why i like spin, cause you tailor it to your own level.

the handlebars are padded at my gym, i didn't realize some aren't. that's why i don't feel the need to wear gloves. and i had no idea some bike's pedals don't have anything but the cage, that is good to know for anytime i travel and try to find a spin class in the area to take, now i will be sure to be prepared for that, thanks for the info!

[mimitabby]

today's the first class I missed, work got in the way; that happens sometimes. Knot, it's not much like bicycling, the tension is all wrong; on a stationary bike you can build up momentum and the thing spins easier, it's not really like that on a bike. I find it's easier to stand up and pedal than sit down; even though it does raise the heart rate some.
However, from where i am tired and sore; i would say it's going to help my bicycling in the long run! especially since when it gets crummy out i don't want to ride.

[redrhodie]

I went to spinning today! Didn't feel too much like a greenhorn, thanks to all your advice. It was really fun, but not AS fun as riding a real bike. I think I'm hooked. It's a great workout for bad weather days.

[Zeek]

I went to spinning today! Didn't feel too much like a greenhorn, thanks to all your advice. It was really fun, but not AS fun as riding a real bike. I think I'm hooked. It's a great workout for bad weather days.

Congrats! I'm really glad you enjoyed it! It's not the same as riding outdoors, but heck, you can pretend like you're outside "in your mind." It's a lot about the mind/body connection. I hope you continue to go back and enjoy the class. Be sure to educate yourself--there are a lot of instructors out there who like to deviate from the true principles behind spinning. Since you are an outdoor cyclist, you will have an aptitude for this. Enjoy it as the weather gets worse, and might I suggest using mental imagery to put yourself where you want to be. Don't be afraid to close your eyes and leave the room in your head. Visualize your hill, or your flat. What do you see? What do you smell? What do you hear? Go that route and pretty soon summer will be here and you can get back on the road!

[Zen]

I like to wear gloves because I can't help but think of all the germs.

I used to wear padded shorts but don't bother with it anymore.

As far as the one legged pedaling, I think it goes against proper instructional methods to have the class unclip on one side but I have had instructors tell us to emphasize one leg and let the other go along for the ride.

I liked my class tonight, we were on (imaginary) cross bikes!

[Zeek]

I
As far as the one legged pedaling, I think it goes against proper instructional methods to have the class unclip on one side but I have had instructors tell us to emphasize one leg and let the other go along for the ride.
!

Yup Zen you are correct. Removing one foot from the pedal in a spinning class and asking the class to pedal with only the other leg clipped is considered a contraindicated movement in the spinning program. If you've got an instructor doing this, RUN. This person is not up to date on their instructor skills and clearly has not educated him or herself in safe spinning practices. (Now if you're on a trainer working on this technique, well, then, that's a different story but we're talking about spinning bikes here--fixed gear bikes with a weighted flywheel).

It's OK however, to do pedal stroke drills where we keep BOTH shoes clipped in and FOCUS on one leg doing the work while the other leg goes for a "ride." Left foot works while the right foot rests, and alternate right foot works while the left foot rests (where "rests" means just goes along for the ride, while still clipped in).

[mimitabby]

oh brother. both of our instructors have us do this ( pedal one leg at a time). But they did say i didn't have to clip out if i didn't want to. next time that's what i'll do.
You say i should imagine i'm outside. believe me the instructors are so entertaining I don't need to pretend. both of them are very fit and bubbly and both talk constantly. It's really a lot better than trying to do it in my basement.