What makes a participant do these things??

[aicabsolut]

I used to do back to back classes if I could get them, because I needed 2+ hrs on a bike for my training. Usually, these classes would not be during peak times, so the 3 or 4 of us who did it weren't taking bikes away from anyone else. During peak hours, if I needed more time, I'd use a spin bike in the general rec areas, if there was one at that gym.

Anyway, as for the people who really shouldn't be there...I have no idea. I've seen people bring their own music into classes. I saw one woman bring a book. I see plenty of people only do 30 min (of a much longer class) and then leave. I guess that's ok if you have a tight schedule some days and want to squeeze in a workout, but not when some people were shut out of the class who would've stayed the whole time. Sometimes, these are classes not covered by membership (but cost extra), so I wonder why they wasted their money...

[cyclingmama]

Why would you insist on riding with your hands behind your back, or crossed over your chest, or just hanging by your sides when I caution that you need to keep at leat one hand connected to the bike unless your wiping off sweat or getting a drink?

raindrop, I'm not challenging what you said, I'm sincerely requesting more info. I routinely during cool-down, or if there is a quick reprieve between songs, will sit all the way up on the bike (i.e., no hands) and spin, usually with my hands at my side or on my hips. I'm especially inclined to do this after a more intense track, as I find the position allows me to "open up my chest", breathe better and bring my HR down a bit. Is this really a bad thing? (several people in the class tend to do it, and the instructor has never said otherwise). I wouldn't dream of doing this while standing.

[Smilie]

Instructors here have that as a normal routine. Hands behind your back, bend as low as you can to engage abs. One that I don't do as it hurts my back, is hand behind your back while standing, then switch. Must be how the instructors were taught to give you a varied routine perhaps?

[KSH]

Eh, I can only guess that people put their hands behind their backs so they won't lean on the handlebars and hold their weight up with their arms... thus engaging their abs and core muscles more. I don't get it though. One lady I know who has been going to spin classes for years... I think it's produced a hunched back with her. Or she just has really bad posture.

As for bringing in your own music... I've done that. I won't lie. A couple of years back I had to go to spin classes to get my rides in, as I didn't have a bike trainer at home. The music that motivates me is music that doesn't motivate anyone else... and thus, I always hate the music that is being played in class.

So, I would go to the back of the room, in the corner and take the class from there with my headphones on. I would try to stay away from being in front or anything like that. I just wanted to ENJOY the class without having some horrible music being blared in my ears.

One instructor finally told me that I couldn't wear them because her manager said no more... because it was a liability... if I couldn't hear what she was saying I might get hurt. OH REALLY? Oddly I can run on a treadmill, with headphones and not get hurt... but somehow I'm going injury myself on a stationary bike? I followed up with her manager and found out it was a lie. Which really ticked me off.

Thank goodness I have a bike trainer now and I don't have to go to spin classes anymore.

[Crankin]

Well, I had a participant come to my aerobics classes with her own music. And she sang out loud to the music while I was try to cue the participants.

[Raindrop]

Hi Cyclingmomma. I just now saw your post and wanted to clarify that I should of added during cool down I regularly have the participants sitting up without their hands on the handlebars. But, during cool-down, the pedaling is much slower and even if there is a pedal spindle break, the person has time to catch themselves.

As far as listening to your own music in class...well, I have to admit that I'm coming from a biased point of view. I spend a lot of time planning the focus of the class, the profile and selecting music to fit that profile, so I do sort of look at it as a personal affront to have someone come in and use their own ipod. Additionally, I use an eclectic choice of music so usually, if you hate one song there's a very good chance that you'll like the others. I also [B]always [B] say at the end of my classes, "if you had any issues with the bike, the music or me, please let me know". I know that not everyone will like all of my playlist and that music is very subjective. However, if you hate the music that I choose, there are other instructors that play other types of music and everyone can vote with their feet.

Luckily, my classes stay full.

[teigyr]

Raindrop, I'd ask where your classes were but I'm mostly content right now. Of course it's summer too so I tend not to do indoor classes.

I don't know why people take a class and then talk through the whole thing. I've always felt sorry for instructors when they say "at this stage you shouldn't be able to carry on a conversation" and people are I always thought there might be pressure from the gym to not alienate people just due to the fact it's a fairly competitive business.

I've run a limited gamut of indoor cycling instructors. Some are cyclists and don't know how to instruct, some are 80's aerobic type people who aren't cyclists, and one just tried to talk about how awesome he was. (This was the one who had people in awe because he could cycle 12 whole miles in an hour!!!)

I do think being a good instructor is a talent and the music and class plan is important. It's funny because I am a music purist and give it all up for the right spin class. Tempo, mood, and all of that matters because hill climbing songs are different than sprint songs and I appreciate the work that goes into the planning. I've even climbed hills in reality and a spin song will come into my head and help me pace myself on the hill.

So I guess I'm saying for those instructors who do a good job and actually DO speak out if someone is disrupting the class, there are those of us who appreciate it. As rude as it is to be talking during a class, it is just as frustrating to those who want to be there and keep hearing about what somebody bought at the mall.

Now, how's about those people who get on the list (there are gyms that require a sign-up list if the classes fill up) so there are people turned away. The sign-up list people only stay 20 minutes or so before they decide they have something better to do and then there is a vacant bike the rest of the class. What the heck is up with that?!

[eclectic]

Well, I had a participant come to my aerobics classes with her own music. And she sang out loud to the music while I was try to cue the participants.

Now that is WIERD!
did she have headphones on? Didn't she realize just about everyone sings monotone w/ headphones on?

[eclectic]

I have been lurking on the spinning thread for awhile and really thinking about a lot of it. So here are my thoughts FWIW

re: a lot of contraindicated moves like pushups, one arm behind the back etc. I have decided it boils down to teaching philosophy and reasons for spinning.
I am assuming everyone on this site are outside, regular bike riders first, spin class instructors/participants 2nd.

I did some informal research to find out how many participants in the spin class I attend ride regular bikes outside - in a group of 12 there were 3. All others simply go to spin class year round and don't own bikes. They are strictly there for what the workout can do for them and feel good if they think they are getting a "full body" workout. They don't give a rip about proper cycling form or whether any movements are contraindicative to "real" cycling and the classes are geared to them - they are the majority.

One of the more popular instructors is a road rider whom I ride regularly w/. I kind of feel she sold out. She went to some workshops and is now doing all the crazy arm stuff. I don't care if she gets mad at me but I don't do them. I just say "I swam over a mile this morning, I got plenty of upper body workout."
When she does something else I don't agree w/ I just don't do it.

Re people leaving - if it is the same people over and over again I agree that is a problem. However, I have seen a lot of beginners leave after 1/2 hour because of the intensity of the workout, they try to keep up w/ the big dogs and burn out. I try to tell my beginning friends to gear down, sit down, spin slower and do what it takes but try to get through the hour at an easier pace - but we all know what group mentality is like

Re talking during class How loud are they talking? Is it interrupting the instructor? people beside them? If not I say let it go - they are not in school, they are not training for some elite event where they are being paid millions of dollars so if they want to talk they can. If they aren't pedaling hard enough to not talk who really cares.
If they are bothering others then that is an issue and can be asked to talk more quietly or move to the back where others can't hear them.
I am guilty, I have talked in class sometimes and I don't care. Others can still hear and I am not interrupting the instructor. It is not Boot camp, the instructor is not a drill sargent. I am not getting paid to be there, I am paying to be there. I get out of it what I put into it, if my friend and I don't want to work as hard that day that is our problem.

I have taught general adult education art classes for years, I have taught teacher workshops and I teach HS students daily. I have learned that general population adults are not good students and teachers believe it or not are the rudest of all. BUT they are paying for the class, if they don't want to do something I am not going to make them. I introduce it, I help them if needed but I have learned it is not a reflection on me or my class if they don't succeed.

I do think it is up to the instructor to point out and assist w/ good form to help prevent injury. I get upset w/ instructors who just sit on their spin bikes yelling out instructions and never get off to assist the participants w/ seat height, body alignment, foot position etc. I believe they are getting paid to teach, not just to get their own workout in. I have stopped my workout (for which I am paying BTW) more than once to help the person beside me adjust their bike while the instructor stayed on her bike. I realize that stopping, getting off your bike, helping someone can throw off the flow, but I have seen the good instructors be able to multi task and keep everyone else going while they help someone.

Which brings me to MY RANT. I wanted to talk to the programming director to find out what I would need to do to get certified to teach a beginning spin class. I was intercepted by the spin instructor mentioned earlier. She said "I will talk to her but they won't let you do it because I am already on staff and I don't cost them any more money" I am sure she never mentioned it to the director. Me thinks she doesn't want competition.
My feeling (because I have been there) is even our classes touted as "beginner" are much too difficult for a beginner - I see them come, last 20 minutes, leave and never come back. I wanted to start one where there was longer recovery, slower cadences, teach proper form etc. I had a group of followers (OK they were my friends who were really pumped about it. Well nothing has happened and the classes are still puking hard if you do what the instructor tells you to do and beginners don't come back.

I just realized I have quit going to classes taught by that specific instructor and just go to the one taught by another friend from our summer riding group. He teaches much more traditionally and straight forward, fixes the bikes if something is wrong and helps people. He gets an A+ in my book.