My first ever spin class

[Andrew_Culture]

Well it was a spinning 'session' put on to raise money for Clic Sargent by a mate and facilitated by CycleMania. When the event was organised several people prompted me to take part because I'm 'into' cycling, and perhaps foolishly I figured a little bit of time on an exercise bike wouldn't be too challenging.

An hour of pumping dance tunes, indecipherable distorted instructions from a loud PA, flashing lights and billowing smoke (might have been steam coming off me, I'm not sure) and my knowledge of spin classes was altered and my opinion of exercise bikes confirmed.

The bikes were fixies with big heavy wheels that acted like counter-weights! I was impressed that I could clip into them using my spd shoes, but there's a good reason I ride single-speed instead of fixed, mainly that I don't enjoy the feeling that my knees and hips are going to explode!

If you like spinning then great, I can see how it could benefit some people, but I found it needlessly difficult and it's not like the scenery improves throughout your 'ride'! There were a lot of 'moves' that I would never dream of doing on a real bicycle because they'd be a total waste of energy and would most likely result in injury.

I'm still hurting two days later.

Mind you I did bag a KOM on the ride home afterwards...

I reckon I'll probably do it again next year.....

 

[rb58]

I love spin classes. But they're not bike rides and shouldn't be thought of as indoor bike rides. Cardio intensity is significantly higher in a class and the range of muscle groups is greater, especially core. I find it helps with cadence too.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

They're hot and sweaty and so are some of the men/women* who take part. What's not to like? My local one takes music requests from the class so they get to listen to a lot of Cure tracks.

*delete to taste.

 

[Doseone]

My wife dragged me to a spin class tonight. I quite enjoyed it and can't deny it was a really good workout. I'd go again.

 

[wealthysoup]

Sorry if this comes across as a hijack, but what's the difference between spin class and pyramids on a turbo trainer? Apart from the obvious bike difference? (one or 2 replies is plenty as I don't want to knock this off topic)

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Sorry if this comes across as a hijack, but what's the difference between spin class and pyramids on a turbo trainer? Apart from the obvious bike difference? (one or 2 replies is plenty as I don't want to knock this off topic)

The bikes are very different, the seat was far too broad for one!

I'm guessing the answer might be something to do with momentum, you don't stop spinning for the entire session! Now that I'm feeling the benefits of having done this session I'm kinda wishing I could do it once a week.

That @4F spins a fair bit, I'd be interested in his input.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Sorry if this comes across as a hijack, but what's the difference between spin class and pyramids on a turbo trainer? Apart from the obvious bike difference? (one or 2 replies is plenty as I don't want to knock this off topic)

Three main differences

It's a group 'ride' rather than a solo session so beloved of 'serious cyclists, we do upper body stuff in ours, pressups, arm pumps, etc., and core engagement exercises. The gym is air conditioned and despite the HUGE fan I have for turbo sessions, the spare room isn't.

As Andrew says the saddles are awful, the frame geometry is all wrong, but then it isn't your bike and you don't spend that much time sitting on them!

 

[smokeysmoo]

Love spin sessions, hate turbo trainers, go figure

 

[4F]

Spin is more social, lots of interval training. Seated sprints, standing sprints and much more fun than on your own with a turbo. We don't do any press up nonsense at ours at the same time. Last week we removed the saddle for the whole class which I have to day was an epic burn. Then a nice cycle into work afterwards. Tidy.

 

[avsd]

Agreed spin sessions are more sociable and there are other people suffering along side you. The only time I get upset is when an instructor tries to increase the resistance on my bike. It is my heart and I will have my heart attack on my terms please

 

[jdtate101]

I've only done one spin class, and really enjoyed it, mostly because of the tasty young lady on the bike in front with "very" tight shorts on....

 

[jonny jeez]

Love (loved) spin.

However, they are not a replacement of riding and are essentially just a means to a workout, in so much as bodycombat isn't Karate or Boxing.

But you ached afterwards, so it did something that cycling doesn't usually achieve.