Spin classes

[Kernyl]

Spinning is good for conditioning when the weather is bad and you can work on power without distractions, but other than that I don't like it much. I don't like the way some spin classes are taught. I don't like jumps (pointless), 3rd position (which just encourages people to put weight on their wrists, a bad habit) and the above mentioned too fast warm up. If I can stand the weather I would rather ride outside.
Also, when you are riding outside you are working on balance and bike handling, which are important skills.

[Dogmama]

Spinning is good for conditioning when the weather is bad and you can work on power without distractions, but other than that I don't like it much. I don't like the way some spin classes are taught. I don't like jumps (pointless), 3rd position (which just encourages people to put weight on their wrists, a bad habit) and the above mentioned too fast warm up. If I can stand the weather I would rather ride outside.
Also, when you are riding outside you are working on balance and bike handling, which are important skills.

Actually, jumps help you get out of the saddle for small bumps in the road and for coming into a climb from a seated position. The do strengthen those leg/glute muscles.

As for climbing with weight on your hands - your instructor should be reminding people to keep their weight over their saddle and be very light on their wrists. I always tell people, "spinning is NOT an upper body exercise!"

And frankly, I do agree that most spin classes can be boring - except mine. I spend a lot of time planning, downloading and practicing sets before I teach them. So we have a variety of moves, types of music and intensity levels. If you can't find a good teacher and you really want to spin in the winter, I'd urge you to look around at some other gyms and ask people who they like. You can usually get a free pass.

[Dogmama]

Spinning is good for conditioning when the weather is bad and you can work on power without distractions, but other than that I don't like it much. I don't like the way some spin classes are taught. I don't like jumps (pointless), 3rd position (which just encourages people to put weight on their wrists, a bad habit) and the above mentioned too fast warm up. If I can stand the weather I would rather ride outside.
Also, when you are riding outside you are working on balance and bike handling, which are important skills.

Actually, jumps help you get out of the saddle for small bumps in the road and for coming into a climb from a seated position. The do strengthen those leg/glute muscles.

As for climbing with weight on your hands - your instructor should be reminding people to keep their weight over their saddle and be very light on their wrists. I always tell people, "spinning is NOT an upper body exercise!"

And frankly, I do agree that most spin classes can be boring - except mine. I spend a lot of time planning, downloading and practicing sets before I teach them. So we have a variety of moves, types of music and intensity levels. If you can't find a good teacher and you really want to spin in the winter, I'd urge you to look around at some other gyms and ask people who they like. You can usually get a free pass.

[indysteel]

As for climbing with weight on your hands - your instructor should be reminding people to keep their weight over their saddle and be very light on their wrists. I always tell people, "spinning is NOT an upper body exercise!"

This. I have a home spin bike and, when I'm out of the saddle, most of my weight is in my lower body because my butt is pretty far back.

I always thought spin classes were fun. We don't have a gym that offers them near me, which is why I bought a home spin bike. When I lived in downtown Indy, I went to at least two classes at the Y each week. I had a blast, and really miss it.

[spokewench]

It kind of depends on how you do a spin class. I have found if it is a spin class taught by a spin only instructor, it crosses over a little. If you do longer spin classes taught by a cyclist who is working on a periodic plan with class with more of a bent toward regular training for outside cycling, it can really help a lot. Several years ago, I trained almost specifically indoors for the start of the mountain bike race series in January. We had a very snowy year and it was just not conducive to training outside. I live in northern Arizona at 7,000 feet

Long story short, I won my first race against desert rats from southern Arizona who had been training hard outside. It certainly can get you there if you find a good cycling instructor.

[Catrin]

At my last gym my spin instructor was a mountain biker and we jokingly referred to his class as "mountain bike class" rather than spinning. All joking aside, it was a great class and REALLY helped with riding outside. I need to get my butt to a spinning class or two a week since riding outside just doesn't seem to be in the books for now. I don't want to lose ALL of my bike-endurance - that is a very different thing from my metabolic/lifting work. My only concern is the older bikes don't really fit me and my whiplash still isn't quite healed - but I need to give it a shot. If my neck isn't up to it then I will need to spend more time on the trainer at home.