Quote Originally Posted by Raindrop View Post
This is the time of new year resolutions and when outdoor riders (and non-riders) come into the indoor realm of cycling classes. I've been an instructor in this format since 1997 as well as being a personal trainer and an outoor cyclist.

I just wish anyone that takes indoor cycling classes would realize a few things. First, it's really your workout. You don't have to move in and out of the saddle every time the instructor says to, and if it doesn't feel good to you...don't do it!

Cycle classes should be fun and instructive. If an instructor asks you to do push-ups on the bike, or quick jumps in and out of the saddle, or "hovers" ask them (after class) what they believe the benefit is. Chances are that they won't have a reasonable answer because believe me (and studies that support this) that any half-a$$ push-up done on the bike won't improve your cycling and it won't improve your upper body. What it will do is take away from your training on the bike. Likewise the old "hands behind the back" supposed core movement. If you want to improve your core strength, work on it off the bike...dont dilute your bike training for the sake of "fluff moves" on the spinning bike.

OK...stepping off my soapbox.

Raindrop, I am so glad that there are people which think the same as me about this topic.
All this spin trainer certification company's are not interested in good quality spin instructors, it is MONEY... (how can you understand in 8 hours course what to do, especially if you are not a cyclist)... they take anybody. We had a instructor which biked like a Granny and got all ab set because I did my own thing, she didn't get my blood boiling. ..never seen her again...
I am a cyclist outdoor and come indoor for the winter, but know I have enough, I will train at home on my trainer, I don't wont to waist my time.
It is to bad, then when I started spinning I enjoyed the group dinamic...somehow this is all gone...