If you start attending Cycle classes....

[Zeek]

When you say "pulled back over the saddle," how far back are you? You should ride a spinning bike the same as you would a real bike. Imagine you're on your own bike, climbing a heavy hill. The saddle would just be touching your inner thigh. If you were pulled waaaaay back over the saddle, I think something bad might happen--you could potentially pull the front of the bike up off of the ground, and, well, you get the picture. Try not to exaggerate your form on the spinning bike. And remember, if it doesn't feel right to you, don't do it. Keep it simple and just ride your bike.

[kmehrzad]

When you say "pulled back over the saddle," how far back are you? You should ride a spinning bike the same as you would a real bike. Imagine you're on your own bike, climbing a heavy hill. The saddle would just be touching your inner thigh. If you were pulled waaaaay back over the saddle, I think something bad might happen--you could potentially pull the front of the bike up off of the ground, and, well, you get the picture. Try not to exaggerate your form on the spinning bike. And remember, if it doesn't feel right to you, don't do it. Keep it simple and just ride your bike.

I notice that when I 'pull back over the saddle,' I can feel an ache on the inner side of my knee after class. I do much better if I climb as I would on my bike, raised but not overaccentuating anything. I've gotta remember to 'ride my own ride' and not feel like I need to follow the instructor's directions word for word.

[tctrek]

All spinning instructors are not created equal, that's for sure. At my gym, they have two cycling classes. One is called Performance Cycling and you are guaranteed that the instructor is a cyclist -- most of them are triathletes. So, I make sure to go to those classes. The other is Studio Cycling and it's not geared towards training to ride a bike -- it's just an aerobic workout. But my DH goes to whatever class, puts his headset on and does his own thing.. go figure.

[Zeek]

I do much better if I climb as I would on my bike, raised but not overaccentuating anything. I've gotta remember to 'ride my own ride' and not feel like I need to follow the instructor's directions word for word.

You got it now! It's the instructor's class, but baby, it's YOUR RIDE!

[arielmoon]

I went to spin last night and the instructor was stuck in traffic on the interstate. One thing led to another and I was teaching the class. Only 2 people and one was a total newbie. Luckily the bike shop guy had an MP3 player and I just let it play from a song list. It worked out fine and everyone seemed happy that they got to spin. The shop guys were grateful and I may get some free classes out of it! I laughed when they said I sounded like I knew what I was doing!

[Dogmama]

I went to spin last night and the instructor was stuck in traffic on the interstate. One thing led to another and I was teaching the class. Only 2 people and one was a total newbie. Luckily the bike shop guy had an MP3 player and I just let it play from a song list. It worked out fine and everyone seemed happy that they got to spin. The shop guys were grateful and I may get some free classes out of it! I laughed when they said I sounded like I knew what I was doing!

I had an experience like that except the class had about 30 people and the instructor called in sick at the last minute. My MP3 player died & I ended up borrowing one - wrong move. FULL of hip hop/rap with all of the bad words, unending beat & unintelligible beginnings & endings of songs (do I sound old?) Everybody appreciated having the class & were totally understanding that I was caught quite off guard.

[Raindrop]

Only once...the power went out and I gave the class the choice of continuing with no music or quitting...they opted for no music and it turned out to be very powerful. Sometimes, getting inside your own head is the best workout ever!!!