Spinning????

Does anyone do these classes, i'm supposed to be going to my first one tonight but have read mixed things about it, anyone got any opinions of it??

x

I used to go - it can be good, esp if you have a good instructor with good music (the one I went to would play all disco, which gets old pretty fast). It's really what you put into it - for instance the instructor will tell you to dial up the resistence, but you get to decide what that means for you.

It's my new favorite workout.  I'm buying a bike this weekend for the nice weather too.  My legs have gotten in incredible shape and I've only been doing it for 2 months.

I started spin classes a few years ago and then I bought a bike. I had one as a kid but I hadn't been on one for at least 15 years. Anyway, outdoor biking is WAY harder but way more fun :)

As for spin classes, I used to go once a week but it does get old after a while unless you can switch up music or instructors. I still think it's a great cardio workout.

I hear you either love it or hate it.  It probably depends on the type of exercise enjoy. 

Personally, I gave it three tries.  First time, music sucked and I was so bored and it was really hard.  Second time, better instructor, better music, still bored. 

The third time, I decided I could find much better ways to burn calories and have fun.  Going outside on a bike just sounds so much better to me.  I guess I don't enjoy watching puddles of sweat on the floor and people huffing and puffing next to me.

It's just my little o'l opinion.  Try it out for yourself.  You may like it!

I just started getting into spin and I really enjoy it. It definitely depends on your instructor and the music, those can make or break your workout. I was always intimidated by spin but once I started I found I really love challenging myself and it's a way better cardio workout then I can ever get on my own.  I can't run since I have bad knees so this is a low impact workout. I definitely encourage you to try it and stick with it for at least a few classes. My legs are in great shape and I feel awesome after I finish the class. Good luck!

Beware the sore booty for the first few sessions! The seat takes some getting used to :)

 I tried it once a week, mixed with other classes, for about 4-5 months. I was unhappy with the results and went back to running.  But some folks like to cycle, and like to be coached through the process. So give it a try, have fun, it might be just what you want! If not, there are lots of other things to try.

Spinning is great if you want a high intensity cardio workout and if you are the type of person that enjoys classes because an instructor tells you what to do. I started going a couple months ago and went like 3 days a week and I loved it, but it got kind of boring after a while. Plus I like to do my own workouts at my own time. I still try and go to a spin class at least once a week to mix things up though!

A few tips: If it is your first class, don't be afraid to crank up the resistance, you will feel really tired at first and wonder how your going to make it through the class but if you keep with it you will adjust. Buy a seat cushion thats fits over a bike seat, trust me, you will be sooo happy and they are only like $15. between sets try not to let yourself totally slow down, if you do your are going to cut out a lot of the toning to your legs.

LOVE spinning. It is the only thing that gets my legs in shape (and that is including running). It burns so many calories in one hour that you feel like you've done the best workout you could have in that amount of time.

AND if you have trouble with retaining water like a lot of girls do (me me me), it really helps to keep that in check. Just please refuel your liquids or you will not be a happy camper.

I loved it at first. But now not so hot-biking outside is way more fun. ( I can do this alot better thanks to spin). Instructor and music have everything to do with it. I did notice alot of definition in my legs in a short time though. Also if runninig is hard on you-its great as an alternative.

Gve it a whirl!

I am certified to teach it and honestly.................it's my least favorite class to instruct and therefore, never put myself on the schedule to teach it..unless I sub for one of my instructors.  Just not for me.  But, bike riding in general, unless leisure for fun and, eh, not even that so much..is for me.  Getting through the bike part of a tri is an effort for me..mentally more than physically bc I just don't enjoy it. BUT...If done correctly, with vigourous effort and intensity, spinning could be a hella workout and requires little coordination compared to other group fitness classes such as Step, kickboxing, etc.  Just some like tea, other's like coffee... it's a matter of personal taste, I guess.

For me, I really like doing the spin bike at the gym... ON MY OWN! I never feel I push myself hard enough in a class. And when it comes to wearing my heart rate monitor, the calories prove it. In a 45 minute spin class, I burned about 250 calories- 300 but in only 30 minutes on the bike on my own, I burn about 250. I think the classes depend on the instructor, some are more intense then others, some do pretty steady easier rides with fewer hills or speed intervals. 

On my own rides, I warm up for 5 minutes, then make sure I'm doing either hills for a minute or sprint for 30 seconds with the resistance up at least once every 5 minutes and I try not to let my heart rate drop below 150 after the 5 minute warm up, some days I'll go for 15 minutes after a run and on some days i'll go an hour and make it my whole workout! I love it... but on my own OR outside!

Have Fun!!

I did spining class on and off for 4 years. It is a great workout, you will lose weight in all sections if you really push yourself. I was pretty wobbly once I got off the machine  after my first try, but your legs get very toned. Bring water! The hills and various resistances really can test test you. Suggest if you can bring music, which is what our instructor would let us do once in awhile. He would also shut off the lights because the paintings were neon, a little odd when all you see if everyones white teeth.

have fun!

I really enjoy spin classes. I have been doing them off and on for the past couple of years and just recently started going back. I have been going consistently 4 times per week for about a month now and am starting to see results :) I am noticing more definition in my legs and that my love handles are a little less, eh jiggly? 

I do agree that the classes can get boring if you take the same instructor who tends to play the same type of music. What I like about going 4 times per week is that I am with a different instructor each time. Each of them challenge me in a different way and have a totally different approach. 

Good luck in your class!

Never done it but my sister's into it and seems to like it a lot.  I guess with all the mixed opinions, you won't really know until you try it.  Good luck!

So.....how'd it go??  Did you love it or hate it?  Just give it 3 times till you make up your mind.  That is usually how many classes it take until you build a little stamina and your bumm stops hurting.  Try to take different instructors because their styles and music will vary.

I've been doing  this on my own for about 6 months now. I've only ever taken 2 classes, but on my own I think I push myself pretty hard (though I don't have a heart monitor to tell). I do 1 or 2  45min sessions per week, and some times mixing up my running with 20 min sessions.  I usually end up drenched in sweat afterwards.

  Since I started, however, I've noticed my thighs are much bigger than before.  My legs never use to touch and most of my pants are much tighter.  I'm not sure if this is from the spinning, but not sure why else just my thighs would get so big.

Anyone else experience the same?

Msh - I get the bigger thigh thing from cycling too!

I was cycling to work and back every day and longer at weekends since Xmas and found my thighs exploded.

It's a tricky one because cycling is a great workout...but for me it's toss up between calves of steel that burst my jeans like an angry Incredible Hulk from running.

OR thunder thighs from cycling.

So I've eased off on the cycling and adding in more running, which seems better for all over changes (i.e. boobs get smaller when I run but not when I cycle).

Also, I think years of horse riding also means dormant quads seem to expand easily when I cycle.

So if I had a choice between cycling and running, hmm...toughie, cycling = more fun, but running gets better results for me

I look forward to the spin classes I go to Tuesdays and Thursdays. They are my favorite two workouts of the week.:]

It really is a love it or hate it thing. I found an instructor who plays upbeat popular music and has a theme for each ride we do. It really helps. One instructor I tried left the lights on, played very slow music, and talked throughout the entire thing...needless to say I only did her class once. Another instructor was very focused on the slower/harder climbs, which is not my style, also she didnt allow any recovery periods.

Just find what works for you and dont let one instructor ruin it for you. Try em all. :]

I have found though that the more people in the class, the harder I push. It's kind of like a competition thing for me, but I guess that comes with working out with a group no matter what i'm doing.

And its a super calorie burner, which is always a plus. :]

i tried a spinning class for the first time last night and now i feel like a total failure.  i lasted a whole 5 minutes.  i couldnt do it.  i can do the cycling on my own, i use the ones in the gym, but i could NOT do the class.  i felt horrible.  i was so looking forward to it.