spin question

[surgtech1956]

I'm thinking about this for a fall/winter exercise routine. I don't know anything about spinning/spin classes. There aren't any spin classes in my town, there is at the YMCA in the city where I work. Is this something that's not too popular? Do most of you have your own spin bike at home or go to a spin class? Anyone teach spin classes?

[Veronica]

Spinning is very popular at the gyms around here. I've done both classes and videos at home. For burning calories, the classes are great. I also really enjoyed the camaraderie. I like the convenience factor of videos and I think the workouts tend to have a more specific focus - climbing, strength, technique, etc. Of course that will vary from instructor to instructor.

V.

[KnottedYet]

I've never taken a spin class, and I don't own a spin bike. But the classes sound like fun, and I know a lot of people get a kick out of them.

Why not give it a try? Could be great!

[Zen]

Wow.
I can't believe there are no spin classes local to you.
I have two spin bikes (anybody wanna buy one cheap?) but I mostly take classes.
Just like road riding in a group, I put in more effort in group spin.
You can probably take the classes without joining the Y.
Spinning has improved both my aerobic endurance and climbing skills.
DO IT!

[KnottedYet]

surgtech, where ARE you?

Jackson, Lansing, all have spin I'm sure. Hayes Green Beach in Charlotte probably doesn't, but if you dash down to Battle Creek you could spin to your heart's content. You can't be more than 20 minutes from a town with a spin class! Even if you're in Wacousta, fer chrissakes! (there is NOTHING in Wacousta, y'all!)

Get ahold of the Tri-County bicycle assoc, they will be able to tell you what spin classes are in your area.

Are you still looking for GF 2.0? You might find her in a spin class.

[Starfish]

What everyone said!

I haven't done a lot of spinning, but I intend to do a bunch this winter (in the gym in a class). Just the little I did this spring (thanks Veronica!!) DID help both my leg strength and my higher end HR fitness. Really helped for out of the saddle climbing, too.

And, fun!

I also have a trainer at home for the road bike, but I need to invest in some videos. I have a hard time making myself just ride and ride the trainer without outside motivation. Although, just spinning on the trainer for a 1/2 hour in the morning is easy to get in. I'm planning on that this winter to up my a.m. metabolism.

[surgtech1956]

There's a spin class at the YMCA in the town I work - this is 30 mins from my home. Lansing is 1 1/2 hrs south-west of me.

[han-grrl]

I teach spin classes, and they are pretty popular around this area. The bikes are expensive to buy and maintain so some gyms may not really feel like investing in them.

For my own training, i use the trainer at home, mostly because of timing, i don't work out while i teach, and i can't always make it for certain class times.

[Trek420]

There's a spin class at the YMCA in the town I work - this is 30 mins from my home.

Hey, you could ride there!

I spin and have a Cycleops. I don't have the videos so don't do structured workouts at home, just something to do while watching TV or a way to ride on a rainy day.

[DrBadger]

Did you search spefically for spin classes called that? Because "spinning" is actually a trademarked name for a specific company. The classes I take at my Y are called "indoor cycling". It is the same thing as true "spinning", it's just the the instuctors and programs aren't necessaraly trained by or from the company that trademarked "spinning".

If there is a class at the Y in the town where you work would you be able to fit that class in either before or after work? I currently spin at least twice a week before going into school and I love it. I can't believe how much stronger it has made me on the bike, and now I can actually do standing climbs which I couldn't do before.

Good luck finding a class!

[Bike Goddess]

Ditto for what PA Badger says about spinning and strength training. I've said this before and I'll say it again: I've been in spin classes for the past 7 months since I was off the bike for 8 (months)due to a broken humerus.

I was cleared to cycle outdoors again two weeks ago and have ridden over 200 miles. If I hadn't been doing spin, I never could have rebounded as quickly. I now need to work on endurance as I get tired after about 40 miles.

My suggestion is that you do spin at least twice a week if not more. If you are unable to ride outside do more work inside. I was up to 4x a week at the gym. I've even done back to back classes to increase my endurance.

It's up to you to push yourself in these classes. There aren't any numbers on the knobs, just increased tension as you move them up. Start easy and gradually increase the tension as you become stronger.

[BikerDar]

Hey there! I credit Indoor Cycling with really improving my overall cycling ability and keeping me fairly bike fit year round. I've been a road cyclist for years (and years and years) and started 'spinning' regularly about seven years ago. My bike fitness and ability SOARED. Now I teach INDOOR CYCLING at my local Y. Be careful what you refer to as Spinning or the JohnnyG/MadDogg police will come after you.
Only gyms that pay a fee to MadDogg are allowed to call their programs SPINNING. Some Y's pay the fee and are licensed to call their programs SPIN, but many are not, so it's called Indoor Cycling.

I don't know if I'd spend the money on a bike for home use. If I'm gonna train at home, it's going to be on my bike with my trainer and the bke, that fits me perfectly. No spin bike is gonna fit as well as your own, the adjustments just aren't that fine.

Any time on a bike is a good time though!

[surgtech1956]

Thanks for the input. The Y in the city I work offers a 40 minute 'spinning class' - thats what they're calling it. This is my 'first' year back cycling and want to continue a fitness program from Oct - Jan - till some cross country skiing and back to cycling in March/April. I was also thinking of pilates.

[Zen]

Spinning is like Xerox or Kleenex. It's a generic term at this point.

[aicabsolut]

Spinning is like Xerox or Kleenex. It's a generic term at this point.

hah!... neither of which are technically generic.