First spin class experience

[Crankin]

As a former instructor (aerobics, stretch, back in the olden days), I have found that there's basically 2 kinds of spin instructors: Aerobics instructors who are on a bike and cyclists who teach spin. While there are some of type #1 who do safe and fun classes, those are the ones who I find doing the "push ups on the bar" and running in place at very high cadences. Don't feel compelled to do what they do. I find that no one says anything to me if I do a seated climb while they are standing and running like crazy or I am standing and going at a lower cadence.
I like the group aspect of exercise once in awhile, but not like I used to; I also like working out to music. If you can find the instructor that is right for you, make it more of your own work out. Usually every gym has at least one person who is a roadie or a tri-athlete who teaches spin. Those are the ones to find.

[Andrea]

As a former instructor (aerobics, stretch, back in the olden days), I have found that there's basically 2 kinds of spin instructors: Aerobics instructors who are on a bike and cyclists who teach spin. While there are some of type #1 who do safe and fun classes, those are the ones who I find doing the "push ups on the bar" and running in place at very high cadences. Don't feel compelled to do what they do. I find that no one says anything to me if I do a seated climb while they are standing and running like crazy or I am standing and going at a lower cadence.
I like the group aspect of exercise once in awhile, but not like I used to; I also like working out to music. If you can find the instructor that is right for you, make it more of your own work out. Usually every gym has at least one person who is a roadie or a tri-athlete who teaches spin. Those are the ones to find.

I wholeheartedly agree with you! I used to teach spin before I rode a bike, and, even though I learned about pushups & the other odd stuff while I was in training, I thought that they sounded like ridiculous things to do during a bike workout, so I never did them in my classes! One woman even complained that I didn't... I told her that I would love to show her how to do more effective pushups on the ground immediately following class, but she never took me up on it

[greycoral]

As a former instructor (aerobics, stretch, back in the olden days), I have found that there's basically 2 kinds of spin instructors: Aerobics instructors who are on a bike and cyclists who teach spin. Usually every gym has at least one person who is a roadie or a tri-athlete who teaches spin. Those are the ones to find.

Exactly!! My mellow teacher is just an instructor, I doubt that she actually rides a bike outside of the gym. My awesome teacher probably spends more time on a bike than anything else. She's a mountain biker primarily, and always has a ton of stories for us.

[indysteel]

I would suggest trying out a few different instructors. Each of the instructors at my gym is different. Some I like better than others. I can usually tell the ones that are spin/aerobics instructors and the ones that ride outside. I generally prefer the latter but being a roadie doesn't necessarily make someone a good instructor. As others have mentioned, you don't have to do something just because an instructor is telling you to. If it hurts or just isn't your thing, skip it.

I actually like spinning because I can get into a really intense zone. It's a fabulolous workout. If, however, you don't like loud music or the group dynamic, then it may not be your thing, no matter the instructor.

[Smilie]

The spin class I am currently taking, is not for me. So I do my own workout on the bike. She wants us to sprint, which is fine, but not when you crank the tension up. WTH? That makes my knees hurt. If you want a sprint you take the tension down, not up, that puts a lot of strain on your knees. She also feels that you are warming your muscles up when you start out at 60-70%, uhm...nooooo. For me I have to work up to that, but hey, what do I know. Maybe you are supposed to do that. It doesn't work for my body, so I don't do it.

Of course this is the same instructor that has you do one arm pushups. You lean to the right or left-uhm noooo, lower back injury just waiting to happen. One time she even said it 'simulates a turn'. I'd wreck if I did that.

She had me wondering at her 'knowledge' when we were stretching. She wanted us to do neck circles. ALL the way around. Uhm-nooooo, you never lean your head to the back, you stay to the front. Carry on. Just my ranting.

[Irulan]

I will ditto - don't do anything you don't want to.

In the Spinning sub forum, there are some excellent discussions about the good the bag and the ugly for what is appropriate technique, and what is dangerous.

I love the classes, music and feel but I hate the stupid things some instructors make you do. I've actually left classes 1/2 way through because the the instructor was so bad.

I finally bought a trainer for home. Getting to spin classes was getting really frustrating as they have a limited number of bikes and you'd have to get there 45 minutes early to reserve a bike. I'd end up spending three hours out for my work out and I just didn't have time for that.

If you have the saddle, you can buy a converter to bring your own, and you can also change pedals if they will let you.

[squirrell]

First, I didn't realize there was a Spinning sub-forum--my bad!

Second, I had my 2nd spin class this morning. I only took it because I saw a different instructor going in to teach it, so I thought I'd give it a try with a different leader.

Big mistake--on one hand, she was better. Less time spent standing pedaling, no silly "hands in the air" or grabbing the adjustment knob, or push-ups on the bars. BUT, she almost never stopped talking! And she had on a head mic, so I couldn't tune her out either. She talked about her kids, her students at school, her chickens, etc. etc. etc. ARGGHHHH!!!

The group work-out experience is just not me I think.