1st spinning class + 1 week of agony!?

[kabewyou]

I had quite a bit of pain from spinning classes in the past and realized several things. I can adjust my road bike down to the smallest increment and the spin bikes that I have ridden do not allow for that. Also, when in the standing position when riding outside my posture is very different than when I am on the spin bike. I took a tape measure in to spin class and attempted to make the measurements as similar as possible as my road bike and that helped some. The best thing though has been to stand when I want to stand and to raise and lower the tension based upon how it feels for me. I took a class as a visitor at another gym with a friend where the instructor attempted to change the tension on the bike I was on and I told him it was my ride, not his. Your body knows what is best for it. Spinning classes have made me stronger on the mountain and road bike and running; but I am in charge of the ride and the best instructors I have had make that very clear. I hope you get an opportunity to try another instructor.

[teigyr]

My instructor will change my resistance sometimes but she knows me pretty well. She's very outspoken about not doing anything that'll cause injury but she also likes to push us. When she changes it, it is never by much and it's just enough to push me over the edge.

That all being said, I know she'd respect someone who didn't want her to do that. Also (like I said), she knows me. If I'm sick, recovering from a hard workout, or otherwise compromised, she leaves me alone. She is the most inspirational and interactive of all the spin instructors at this gym and her classes always have a waiting list.

My disclaimer would be each time you do something new, hold back a bit. You never know how your body's going to react to it

[bmccasland]

Spin instructors should NOT touch your tension control, especially if they don't know you that well. If I've been in a class for a while, this probably wouldn't be an issue, but if I'm new, back off Jack!

On the otherhand, waving my albuterol inhalor at them usually backs them off anyway. Instructors generally don't like it when you push yourself to an asthma attack. Just because I was able to ride hard last time doesn't mean I can today - the "good day / bad day" breathing thing.

Where I'm going is that an instructor generally isn't privy to reasons why you may be backing off. Considering the fact that most members of industrialized nations don't get enough exercise, and that you're going to a class, they should want you to come back. Giving you verbal encouragement, cheering, to increase tension, push yourself harder, should be enough. If it was me, I'd probably swat the hand of the instructor if they tried that on me.