What's up with the hats?

[rachael24]

HAHA Sunglasses and a hat...Thats what Im wearing to spin class tomorrow!!

[Resi]

I sometimes wear a cycling cap, because the sweat runs into my eyes and this is not pleasant. Ok, you can also wear this sweatgutr deals...

Resi

[Miranda]

Because they're so hip and happnin'
They also pretend they're riding a fixie

Zen... I kinda thought, but didn't want to be a smart you know what. Now I am humbled that they do catch sweat for some folks. That's why I close my eyes. Besides Jonny G.'s intention of mind body connection, it keeps the sweat salt from stinging your eyes if they are closed. Outside my Pneumo is just... well, peeuu.

Same reason people wear sunglasses in the gym.

That just cracks me up... our weight room doesn't even have a window in it!

HAHA Sunglasses and a hat...Thats what Im wearing to spin class tomorrow!!

That might work for the ones that like the pitch black room when they attend the teacher's class that likes the lights on. Perhaps they can hand em out at the door. There's a beautiful compromise.

[SadieKate]

Hat to keep the sweat out of your eyes? But it's a fact that most heat escapes out of your head so why stifle it? What about trying a headband such as a halo?

My husband converts multiple people every year to its benefits.

[jesvetmed]

I usually wear a hat to the gym -- then I don't have to do anything with my hair when I get up! AND... the sweatband effect is excellent.

[julesey]

I agree it's a great sweatband...my hair usually looks like a rat's nest in the morning and is way too short for a ponytail, so the hat serves multiple purposes.

[Zen]

[GraysonKelly]

I can't speak for anyone else but on my trainer, at the gym, pretty much anywhere I wear a ball cap. I just really like wearing them. My hair is short in back but kind of full around my face and ears. it keeps my hair back and acts as a sweatband. LOL...my hats get washed a lot. On my trainer at home it's usually backwards at the gym it gets switched depending on what I'm doing. Just a thing I guess. If I didn't have to wear a helmet I'd wear my hat when I ride. As it is, when I finish riding I use a towel to dry my hair and put my hat back on. Just like my hat. I'm rarely without one. I've 30 of the buggers and I've worn them all several times.
Gray

[redrhodie]

If I didn't have to wear a helmet I'd wear my hat when I ride.
Gray

You can wear a cycling hat like this under your helmet: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodCI_H8081.html


TE also sells one specifically for spinning.

[squirrell]

That might work for the ones that like the pitch black room when they attend the teacher's class that likes the lights on. Perhaps they can hand em out at the door. There's a beautiful compromise.

What's with the dark rooms for spinning classes anyway? The 2 I took, they kept the lights out and it was pretty dark--so dark I couldn't see my HRM without having to hit the backlight on it every time. The whole no-lights "undead" feel to it was one of the reasons I'll not be going back to another spin class.

[Crankin]

Yea, for some reason, people think the darkness helps them "get in the zone." I stopped using my HRM because I was sick of trying to press the light button, pressing something else, and then screwing up all of the functions.
I like to be able to see. Last week I heard someone say that they like the dark because no one can see what they are doing .
I despise hats. They make me sweaty and hotter. When did wearing a hat inside become a "thing?" I wipe the sweat away with my hand once in awhile and don't think about it.

[squirrell]

I take a hand towel with me and use that for sweat.

I tried another spin class today--I'm really trying to like these spin classes, honest I am! But {sigh}

Same music this lady used last time--and I mean the EXACT SAME! I guess she has the work-out routine down and likes it. But, gessh come on! This time, she got most of the class to sing along with the chorus on the rap song (which contained a mild expletive) while waving "their hands in the air" and shouting. She sets the volume so high that I can't hear what she's saying and have to watch to see what she's doing.

One lady was spinning so fast in way too low a gear and her butt was literally--and I mean literally--bouncing about 6" off the seat!

This time, I did "my own thing" pretty much--stood up when they did but also sat when I wanted--didn't do the push-ups on the bars, etc.

I was semi impressed that the instructor seemed to get through the routine without breaking a sweat--then, I went back in after the class had left to do some spinning on my own (my "Y" will allow you to use the bikes yourself if the room isn't in use) and she had left her bike out, so I jumped on that to use since it was already out. The tension on her bike was set at the lowest level you could get! Now, I'm not saying that she couldn't have reset the tension AFTER the class but hey, you bet I'm thinking it!

anyway--question for those of you who take a lot of these classes or teach them--is it considered "polite" to ask to turn down the volume or not to use certain songs or something? Or should I just chuck the class and say it's not worth the potential heartache to take it? I don't mind working out on my own really and prefer it but thought the class might be a way to meet some other people and stay motivated while working out during winter time.

[Dogmama]

anyway--question for those of you who take a lot of these classes or teach them--is it considered "polite" to ask to turn down the volume or not to use certain songs or something? Or should I just chuck the class and say it's not worth the potential heartache to take it? I don't mind working out on my own really and prefer it but thought the class might be a way to meet some other people and stay motivated while working out during winter time.

I would talk to the instructor after the class & tell her that you cannot hear her cues because the music is too loud. If it bothers you, it is bothering other people too.

As far as mild expletives, many songs seem to have them. I won't use any songs with blatantly insulting words or songs that repeat an expletive over & over. My type of music doesn't lend itself to those sorts of lyrics.

[Dogmama]

This time, I did "my own thing" pretty much--stood up when they did but also sat when I wanted--didn't do the push-ups on the bars, etc.

I was semi impressed that the instructor seemed to get through the routine without breaking a sweat--then, I went back in after the class had left to do some spinning on my own (my "Y" will allow you to use the bikes yourself if the room isn't in use) and she had left her bike out, so I jumped on that to use since it was already out. The tension on her bike was set at the lowest level you could get! Now, I'm not saying that she couldn't have reset the tension AFTER the class but hey, you bet I'm thinking it!

I don't know about other cycling instruction, but Johnny G spinning specifically prohibits pushing up on the bars, waving hands around, etc. The risk of injury is too great - and - if you want to do upper body work, there are much better ways to accomplish it.

As far as the instructor not breaking a sweat because her bike tension was low - that's OK. The instructor is there to lead her class in THEIR workout - not HER workout. The caveat is that she needs to keep her cadence to a reasonable level so that the class can participate safely. But, her main focus should be her class. Hopefully she is practicing her spinning profiles separately to insure that the workout flows - that is when she gets her exercise.

HAVING SAID ALL THAT ---

Why not set up your own personal spinning routine? Get your MP3 player, put some music on that you like & grab a bike when you can be alone. Be sure you put warm up & cool down music on & try to vary your workout between sitting, standing, fast & slow cadence, etc. My own spinning profiles are my favorite

[Miranda]

Wow, I can't believe this thread of mine is still going. Partly on things other than hats, but good discussion for spinning. Going to post seperately about that. On the hats...

I *think* I'm officially a Buff convert at this point. I still hate any type of headwear. But, at the Terry 1/2 sale I bought my first Buff. It's way more fabric than I wanted, and I feel like I look stupid in it. However, it really works well.

My spin teacher commented on my head gear. The Terry logo was showing. It's the princess crown print. She likes the Terry brand. Great spin shorts too. So, maybe it doesn't look too bad. I decided to get the princess print just to be a cynical tiara wearing b*tch lol. If you're gonna do it, might as well be in style darhling lol.