I'm looking for something new so I'm thinking about joining Spin class. It happens once a week but there's another drop in class option so I'd go twice a week, max.

I'm fairly fit but I never use the stationary bike when I work out.

Does anyone have any stories/rants/raves about Spin class they'd like to share.

The only complaint I have is that I sweat....A LOT. It definitely is one of the best calorie-burners I've come across.

Getting put through the meat grinder has never felt so good :)!

I'm a sweater too! I'll just have to make sure to take the class after work, instead of the lunchtime one :)

After my first couple of weeks it was GREAT!  I did buy a gel seat to put over the spin cycle's seat (very uncomfortable).  Now, the first couple of times I did it, I was pretty sure I was going to suffer a stroke -- I didn't, but I slept very well those nights.

My first class...  I had to argue with myself to stay on the bike and not bolt out the door crying.  Of course, it was also the first time I ever experienced a 'runner's high.'  Quite an incentive to return, despite the sore muscles and bottom.  A gel seat helped the bottom, a committment to classes took care of the sore muscles.

Good luck and have fun! 

-wg

I credit my weight loss to spinning.  It's a great workout.  Be prepared to have Jell-O legs when you leave after your first class.  :)

I love spinning!  Great workout that you can do at your own pace - so don't feel pressured to do everything the first couple of times.  The first time I ever tried spinning my friend and I asked how was the class, one comment that stuck out was "The worst 60 minutes of your life but you'll love it"  At that moment I thought - I gotta get out of here but we stuck through it and afterwards when I was putting on my jeans they fit better.  I hated the workout but loved the results.  I have to say when I tried the class later I became obsessed - I loved the high I felt afterward and the way my legs were looking!  Give it a try --- drink plenty of water and definitely bring a water bottle to class.  Arrive a little early to get help in setting up your bike.  Also - try to keep your feet flat and keep the pedal at the ball of your feet, if you place your feet too far into the pedal they might go numb.  Have fun!!! 

I felt the same way about Pilates... I hated the workout because it was hard but I loved the results!

I'm a spinning fanatic.  Love it!  I'm actually to the point that I have to stop following the instructor's instructions and make things harder, though.  But that's the beauty of spin -- it's such an individual experience.  I love to crank up the resistance, hit the aero bars and do a long sprint until my lungs burn.  Definitely show up early so the instructor can get your bike set up properly because bad form will just make you hate the whole thing (and you can hurt yourself).  A gel seat is excellent when you are starting out, but you'll probably find that cycling shorts are better if you really get into it (likewise, cycling shoes so you can click in get more out of your hamstrings).  Gel seats tend to tip you forward because they have so much cushioning.  You should bring roughly 1 oz. of water for every minute you are in class, and anytime they give you a break, drink.  A big mistake people make is to not load enough resistance on the bike, too.  If you feel your hips bouncing, add.  If you find that while out of the saddle your feet bottom out and you can't make smooth circles, add.  Peddling at too little resistance will just beat you to death and not give you an efficient workout.  Remember that you cannot "coast" on a spin bike -- keep your legs in motion because the flywheel will keep going.  If you need to stop, hit the brake.  For the first class, your goal should be to just last through the whole class and to have fun!

I'm currently in a spinning class too. And like someone above has mentioned, I am absolutely miserable during that 60 min. Gosh, I hate it. But after the work out, I feel so energized and strong. So I keep on going when I can.

The first time I went, I wasn't used to the bike seats as I haven't rode one in years and years. And my crotch really really burned. So the next time I went, I made sure that my seat was adjusted to my height and everything and I felt sooo much better.

-Lemon Jello

*is a spinning addict*

I spin at home mostly, somtimes I'll go to the classes.  My favourite spinning instructor burned me copies of her spinning music she uses in class, and I'll set my bike up infront of the a/c and blast the music and go go go!!!  Whenever I hear music similar to the spin tracks - I immediately wanna race home and jump on my bike and groove!!! lol

I love spinning, but a lot depends on the teacher. I've had about four or five different teachers now over the years, and my current one is the best. She's a category 3 cyclist (racer) and really knows her stuff. If you wear a HRM, she'll tell you "you should be around 90% just now" or other such terrifying things. Basically, my gym offers spinning everyday, but the teachers Sun-Wed have no idea what they're talking about, don't push anyone, and generally are unmotivating, so I just go Thurs-Fri-Sat, when, in 40 mins (according to my HRM) I'm burning 400-550 calories a time.

It's awesome. 

Propsectpark makes a very good point.  I take Spin several times a week, and I've learned that I gravitate to the instructors who are actually cyclists.  There are some instructors who only teach Spin and never ride a bike, which I find a little odd.  However, the instructors who go out and ride will stress things like your form (no "turtles", keeping your butt back and shoulders relaxed, etc.), taking you through drills that help you as a cyclist (one legs, spin-ups, aero sprints), and generally are better instructors.  Also, for the first-timer, it's easy to feel pressured by the instructor to push yourself too hard too soon.  Remember, it's your ride, and you control the resistance knob.  If he/she has you out of the saddle for 15 minutes straight, it's okay to sit down.  A good instructor would rather you keep coming to class and improve each time than try everything in the first class, burn out, and never come again.