Good Indoor Shorts For Spinning?

[teigyr]

Ok, granted I am new to spinning in the scheme of things. I'm from Calif and when I was there, I rode outside exclusively. The class I normally go to in WA has windows but when I went to another gym, the class was dark! My instructor (who teaches at multiple gyms) said that most classes are in the dark or with black lights.

Serious?

[Zeek]

Ok, granted I am new to spinning in the scheme of things. I'm from Calif and when I was there, I rode outside exclusively. The class I normally go to in WA has windows but when I went to another gym, the class was dark! My instructor (who teaches at multiple gyms) said that most classes are in the dark or with black lights.

Serious?

Well, the rooms really shouldn't be completely dark as a rider could not readily see his/her HR monitor. Some lighting is necessary for certain, perhaps somewhat dim but enough that a rider can see his/her HR monitor for sure. For some history, when Johnny G initially began the spinning program, he came up with the "dimming the lights" concept as a way to simulate what he himself experienced when riding his road bike outdoors as the sun set. Dimming the lights also aids in assisting riders in making the mind-body connection and losing oneself in the ride.

[Miranda]

I like the black light bulb effect. Enough light to see some stuff, but not overbearing. Some of our teachers leave the lights all on. I find it to be distracting. One teach did have something bad happen with a student getting sick/hurt in class, and was too freaked to ride in the dark after that. I agree with good ole Jonny G. about less light and the mind body connection . We have no windows, and glow in the dark stars on the walls with the black light bulb effect. It's kinda cool . My HRM has a light that comes on when you bring the unit to the chest strap. So, non issues to check, nice feature. Plus, our new bike computers have lights. So nice. I personally can't remember to get my computer light turned on at the start of the ride. So, I just turn it on as needed. Others turn in on at the start, and it will stay on thru out the class. It's just a pain if you are tardy, and the lights are out already in the room . Sometimes the teacher will offer to get off the bike and turn the lights on. I carry a small book light clip key chain flash light on my gym sack... so I can see my seat slider #s seatings in the dark. The rest of the bike, I can set up by Helen Keller style brail. A cell phone backlight also is enough light to see some settings if you carry it to class anyways. Hmm, tips for bad tardy people like me . Ah, schedule wise, sometimes it just doesn't work out to make it on time. Dang life stuff, must it interupt our good spin ride lol!

[Zeek]

One last point on this topic (sorry for the hijack). As an instructor, it's important you are able to see the faces of your participants. You need to know if someone is looking distressed and may need assistance or attention.

[Miranda]

Zeek.... hijack away . Good point on the safety factor. Sometimes people most certainly get in distress. I think particularly for any overheating issues, or too high of heart rates. For some people, particularly if they don't wear a HRM, they don't realize how high their pulse is, until a bit too late . Yep, those super red flushed faces definately need to be seen... before they keel over off the bike. Gheeez... hopefully never on my watch... the last thing ya wanna do is put your cpr skills to a test. Gives me stress chest pains just thinking about it lol... sorry, NOT funny for real, just being a goof ball.

[Miranda]

Well, I can't comment on the longevity or how they wash, but I think besides that, I have found a good short...

Terry Club Short (in this link below)...

http://www.terrybicycles.com/detail....1851&c=Apparel

I tried them out today in spin class, and thus far, they fit the bill! The chamois is a polar fleece, just like my old PI shorts I used to love, perfect for indoors, IMHO.

I'm not much of a pockets gal for road shorts, but the pocket that these have is ok. Not too obtrusive.

I can't say that I am a fan of the other road shorts that Terry makes, but for inside, these will be a repeat purchase for me as long as they hold up.

Just wanted to come back and post in this thread for anyone else that does a search looking for good indoor shorts to try.

Miranda

[aicabsolut]

I usually wear shorts that are too worn out for the road bike, such as my Cannondale shorts that had the foam split inside the chamois or some Nike knickers that have a horrible horrible chamois. I do really prefer my bibs, though. I'll just do the Fred thing of wearing an athletic top/base layer on the outside of the straps, since I don't have a jersey and don't need a pee break in the middle of a spin class. When in doubt, I just wear normal athletic capri tights, but yeah, that calls for more underwear laundry to do.