Spining classes?

Hi
I was wonderingif anyone has taken a spinning class( I think thats what its called...) before.  They offer these stationary cycling classes at my gym and I got really excited because I love cycling so much.  I love bike riding and can go for a very long time without breaking a sweat so I thought that spining would be perfect for me.
  But a friend of mine says that these classes are very difficult and intense.  So I was wondering if anyone here has tried this sort of thing and if they liked it.
I would really appreciate any help. : )

Did one last week. The thing is, they're as hard as you make them -- you control the resistance. So, if you want to kick your own butt, crank it up. If you wanna take it easy, maybe go easy on the knob.

Oh, and while I am in good shape, I never cycle (like, this was the closest I've come to being on a bike in about 6 years), and I didn't have much trouble (besides working up a serious sweat -- I'm so competitive!). The only negative thing I experienced was a sore crotch. Those seats are not comfy!

I thought the class was fun. It's no kickboxing or pilates (my favs), but I'll probably go back every other week or so. Gotta give my crotch a break! =)

I used to go Spinning a few times a week.  A few of us from work knew a woman who is addicted and decided to get certified to teach.  Her class is in the dark with candles and GREAT music.  It was such a fantastic experience, energizing and relaxing all at the same time, a time to really let your mind go.  It was as easy or as hard as you made it for yourself.  Unfortunately, I moved too far from that town to go anymore and have been reluctant to try another class anywhere else. 

Thank you so much for your help!  I'm going to give it a try and I think i'll really enjoy it.  :)

You HAVE to try it!  I am just starting to get back into working out on a consistant basis (after nearly a year of sporatic trips to the gym- I'm bad, I know), and I was terribly anxious about trying a spin class because I have always heard they are intense, and I was a little worried.  But then I got forced into taking one and i absolutely loved it!  The class is a little intense (well as intense as you make it) but so motivating and a real energy boost (not to mention a real calorie burner).  I loved it so much I am taking 2 a week!  Try it, you have nothing to lose! 

I took my first spinning class at my heath club this weekend... it was great but I have to admit that I was exhausted!!!!! and my butt hurt like crazy from those seats.....

One thing is that since I am just starting to get back into shape, I could not keep up with the class as far as standing and pace was involved... the class was an hour long and I lasted the entire hour without stopping, but went through my entire 591ml bottle of water, while the others sipped periodically on water....

Will this change if I continue to go to the class once a week??? Will my conditioning improve, or do I need to do spinning more than once a week???

Does anyone have any idea how many calories are burned in a spinning class on a medium intensity?

If there's a power meter (of whatever quality) on the thing, you can compute it based upon your average power for the session. If there isn't, well, I dunno.

Instead of spinning, when I ride indoors, I put my bike on a trainer and put on one of the CTS "Do the Tour at Home" workouts and suffer for an hour or two, then go by what my cyclocomputer told me for distance and average speed, factor in a 1% grade, and punch it in. I use a fluid trainer whose resistance increases with wheel speed, so that factors in the energy I would otherwise burn fighting wind resistance.

Yes, the housing on the fluid impeller is hot to the touch when I am done.

The spin class at the gym I belong to says that you can burn over 600 calsories in the hour.... not so accurate, but a positive indication.  Hope this helps!

I used to spin everyday for 2 hours I love it but it made my legs huge so I stoped.