In the Saddle/Out of Saddle Ratio

[Raindrop]

It's sad...but all too true that many of the Indoor cycle classes are taught more as a choreographed aerobic class instead of a cycle class. I have my classes spending the majority of their time in the saddle, mostly only coming out for a posture break or because the climb has gotten steep enough to require them to leave the saddle.

Remember, you don't have to leave the saddle if you don't want to.

[ny biker]

I took a spinning class once a few years ago. It was in October, after a summer of long bike rides including a difficult hilly century. I was in great cycling shape at the time. The spinning class had us standing much of the time. For a week after the class I had severe muscle aches. So whatever muscles the instructor had us working in class, they had nothing to do with actual bike riding.

[kmehrzad]

Remember, you don't have to leave the saddle if you don't want to.

Very true, it's your ride and do what you feel comfortable with. What I don't do are the lifts, jumps, speedbumps - whatever certain instructors call them to the count of two or four, that's way too much strain on my knees, so I tend to either stay up or down and hold that position throughout the exercise. This works for me.

[Dogmama]

I try to give my students an "out of saddle" break because the spin cycle saddles can be very uncomfortable for some people. So, if I have one song, approximately 4 minutes, in the saddle, I'll have them out of the saddle for part of the next song. And it isn't just climbing - I'll have people standing as well. I'm aware that the position for climbing can be difficult for some students' backs.

It's hard to accommodate everybody. That is why I emphasize that "this is YOUR ride - if you don't like what I'm doing - don't do it!"