1st spinning class + 1 week of agony!?

[Miranda]

It took me 4-5 months of being a spinner before I realized how to master the standing position. One day in my regular teacher's class, she cued it different. "Pelvic tilt" were the words that came out of her mouth. I thought "Ahhh!". Once you find the right pelvic position, you're golden.

Trying to think how to describe it. I guess it's the reverse concept of doing standing squats with weights. If you do a squat, you tuck your pelvis inward, or forward slightly to protect your lower back. On the bike standing, you slightly shift your pelvis weight back towards the saddle. It's a very sublte rotation of the pelvis girdle in a different center of gravity over the bike, vs thrusting your whole posture backwards. This takes some of the work weight off your quads, and engages the hip flexors and glutes more I feel. It's a matter of learning a different feel for balance. Just like the first time you rode you bike outside as a kid without the training wheels. At first, it had some crashes, and felt very awkward. Then, after a while, your body knew exactly what to do .

I love spinning so much. It is such a great activitiy. I was frustrated with learning the tehcniques for a while, but knew I enjoyed it on the whole right off the bat. And, btw, I did feel like I might die after my first class. Glad you are going back for another try!

[Miranda]

Well, RealRyder, don't know if you will come back to read this or not, but all I can say is... OH MY! That is quite a story about the steam room! You're lucky the ladies didn't have their handbags in there with them, or they might have beat you to death in fear. I'm sorry, I know it's not funny. I have accidently gotten myself in a men's room before, and well, it's funny now, but not at the time. You are so lucky they couldn't ID you to save some dignity. On the being here as a man, you would have to just ask some of the other ladies. Or, ask the TE Forum Adminstrator about it. Don't know what the rules say off hand. There are a couple guys on here that I know of. Or where at some point. Good luck with your efforts in spinning.

[Ninabike]

I recently started spinning class when it got too dark to ride outside in the evenings. The first class was really tough - I could hardly do the standing at all even though I do stand on my bike. After a few times, I felt a lot stronger and standing was not a problem. I never experienced any muscle soreness at all. I am lucky that we have two really good spin instructors. They are really encouraging and very "up" type individuals. They never interfere with our bikes or "our" rides. With the new people, they just make sure the bikes are set up correctly. Although I haven't had a chance to get out on my bike much lately, when I have, I have really noticed a difference in my strength. I just love spinning and I really look forward to the classes.