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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
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    Tampa, Florida Area
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    44

    In the Saddle/Out of Saddle Ratio

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    Just curious -- in a typical 1 hour cycling class, how much time is typical to be in the saddle, and how much out?

    I went to a class with a different instructor last night, and she spent easily 45 out of the 60 minutes out of the saddle. That seemed like a lot to me (and, I couldn't do it).

    Particularly you instructors out there --is that typical? Is there a set guideline ya'll are taught? Am I just a wimp?

    I figured in real riding conditions I would never be standing for 20 minutes straight, and that's what I told myself when I sat my butt down. But I am curious what others think of this.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Washington State
    Posts
    236
    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.
    Vertically challenged, but expanding my horizons.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    northern Virginia
    Posts
    5,897
    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.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Charleston, SC
    Posts
    650
    Quote Originally Posted by Raindrop View Post
    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.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    On my bike
    Posts
    2,505
    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!"
    To train a dog, you must be more interesting than dirt.

    Trek Project One
    Trek FX 7.4 Hybrid

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    The Woodlands/Houston Texas
    Posts
    169
    dinabean,

    the most of the spin class instructor are not cyclists, they are aerobic teachers. Generally in the real biking world, we don't spend a lot of time standing, only for short bursts and maybe uphill for getting off your butt from the saddle for a very short time.
    I see 99 % of the members spinning on a very high cadence and bounce like a ball on the saddle, bad postures and so on...there is so much more incorrect stuff they teach, just for entertainment, well I can get this somewhere else and way better... that's the reason I cut down on classes from 5 time a week to 1 class. I just don't want to waist my time anymore in classes like this, I bike outside and if the weather is bad I spin at home on my trainer. If you get an instructor which bikes outside, you will see a difference in class quality.
    So in other words, you decide what you want to do in the spin class, this is your time and most important it is your health!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    On my bike
    Posts
    2,505
    While I agree that cyclists make the best spin instructors, I think it is important to remember that we're teaching to the masses. Not every student is a cyclist, in fact, most are in class for an aerobic workout. I absolutely agree that bouncing off the saddle, poor form, etc., are contraindicated no matter what the students' goals are. However, I do teach more jumps and out of saddle work than a normal cyclist will experience on the road.

    That being said, I also emphasize that jumps are accomplished by using leg muscles, not pulling forward on the handlebars. Standing is done using core muscles, not leaning on the bars. Hills require butt back in the saddle. We do pedal drills where we practice pedaling in a circle. My classes are not just fluff substitutions for step aerobic classes - they learn cycling skills. AND, I have to be conscious that I have many people who are there to burn calories, period. So, I try to keep them comfortable by getting them out of the saddle while being aware that back issues can come into play, etc.

    It's a balancing act.
    To train a dog, you must be more interesting than dirt.

    Trek Project One
    Trek FX 7.4 Hybrid

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Central Indiana
    Posts
    6,034
    I've had some instructors that spend more time out of the saddle than others. I like being out of the saddle, so it doesn't bother me one way or another. I will sit down or stand up as needed, regardless of what the instructor is suggesting we do. Assuming proper form, getting out of the saddle works muscles that I want to work, regardless of whether it mimics what I actually do on the bike on a regular basis.

    I think Dogmamma touches on some good points. While many of us turn to spinning, especially in the colder months, to get a "cycling" workout, spinning is first and foremost an aerobic workout. Not all of it does, or necessarily should, mimic cycling in real life. It's similar but not identical.

    IMO, if something doesn't feel good, then don't do it, but I wouldn't assume that something in a spin class was contraindicated just because I couldn't do it for the length of time suggested by the instructor. Even when I've in great "cycling shape," at the end of the season, a good spin class will usually kick my butt.
    Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Continue to learn. Appreciate your friends. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.

    --Mary Anne Radmacher

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    The Woodlands/Houston Texas
    Posts
    169
    I agree with some of the things that have been said. But...unsafe spin class are very common.

    Maybe a must read from Jennifer Sage's book "KeepitReal"

    I have trained professional athletes and have never ever put them in a situation where they could hurt/injure them self. Can you imagine people which don't know they're body???
    As a trainer I have a responsibility no matter pro or not pro.

    Resi

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Washington State
    Posts
    236
    I'm on the same page as Resi. I'm not just a indoor cycling instructor (14yrs) that is an outdoor cyclist as well, I'm also a personal trainer (9yrs) and I place the most emphasis on a safe ride that provides the workout they want, the training they can use and try to let them know the "whys" of each workout.

    It's not aerobics on the bike, but it is using a bike for an aerobic workout. The best result of well run classes are clients that achieve their fitness goals...and if it also inspires them to ride outdoors...all the better!
    Vertically challenged, but expanding my horizons.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    On my bike
    Posts
    2,505
    Quote Originally Posted by Raindrop View Post
    I'm on the same page as Resi. I'm not just a indoor cycling instructor (14yrs) that is an outdoor cyclist as well, I'm also a personal trainer (9yrs) and I place the most emphasis on a safe ride that provides the workout they want, the training they can use and try to let them know the "whys" of each workout.

    It's not aerobics on the bike, but it is using a bike for an aerobic workout. The best result of well run classes are clients that achieve their fitness goals...and if it also inspires them to ride outdoors...all the better!
    Agreed 100%. I also am a certified personal trainer and I let people know the how's & why's of what we're doing without lecturing. Yet, some people will still hang over the handlebars on climbs - no matter how many times I admonish (to the crowd) "keep your weight back."

    With bathing suit season coming up and my clientele becoming younger college kids (spring break is around the corner) I've been trying to encourage them with things like, "Hills are your friends. They'll make that rear view look really nice!"
    To train a dog, you must be more interesting than dirt.

    Trek Project One
    Trek FX 7.4 Hybrid

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Central Indiana
    Posts
    6,034
    As I read this thread, no one is advocating unsafe spinning. I think we're all on the same page in that regard. But there is a difference between activity that may potentially make you sore and activity that will or could lead to injury.
    Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Continue to learn. Appreciate your friends. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.

    --Mary Anne Radmacher

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    The Woodlands/Houston Texas
    Posts
    169
    Of course no instructor wants to do unsafe moves, hey they don't know better, don't know what kind of education they took.
    The most of them I came across do they're training in the same time they teach, well if you are so good, then maybe I can accept this (had one hardcore biker in Austin, he was fantastic) But generally they know only what they learn from the 8 hour course + manual and that's it, after that nobody checks up on they're teaching, and the recertification, please this is a choke.
    I miss the passion from them for teaching and cycling?

    I guess that's what it is, have to accept them how they are. I am sure there are some great spin instructor out there...
    Everybody should do what is good for them, just ignore the bad stuff, be safe for your body. When you are young your body can take a lot, but one day it is payback time.

    If you get sore muscles, well then, didn't exercise enough LOL, or started a new training regime. Don't we all get this, because some reason keeps us away from training? The best athletes get soreness.

    Happy spinning and listen to your body
    Resi

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Posts
    1,708
    To OP... agreed w/others: teachers, styles, and profiles vary so if it's not working for you atm, you do what you need to modify. Seated, standing, etc. It's all good... just be working it regardless.
    Last edited by Miranda; 04-01-2010 at 11:54 PM.

 

 

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