Spinning. It's awesome.

SpinQueen · 21-Nov-03, 10:52 PM

Anyone participate in Spinning classes? I'm teachign my first class on Wednesday, so I'd love for you guys that Spin tot ell me what you like about it. It will help me formulate a plan for my class.

sparky · 21-Nov-03, 11:18 PM

Sorry, I've never heard of it? Sounds like you might make yourself puke doing it though

ajarvis · 22-Nov-03, 11:25 AM

I haven't tried it yet. I'm taking my first class tomorrow morning. Everyone I've talked to likes it because it's so intense, they say it's a killer workout and it's suppose to be good supplement to running.

Hero Doug · 22-Nov-03, 07:11 PM

I've been hearing more and more about spinning classes. Seems like their becoming a bit of a fad so to say.

P.S. I've never taken place in one so I can't help you.

helga · 22-Nov-03, 08:12 PM

I've never heard of it. Could you explain a bit about it?

SpinQueen · 22-Nov-03, 11:00 PM

Check out www.spinning.com

What it is is basically an indoor cycling class. It can be high intensity, it can be moderate, it can be low. You get to choose how you want it. The instructor can take you through drills, or climbs, or sprints and so on, all which somewhat translate to road cycling.

If you monitor your heart rate, and stay aerobic for the most part, you do melt the fat quite easily. It's an excellent workout, both cardio and strength-wise. You build insane leg muscles, and it's an endurance challenge sometimes.

The first time you take the class, you will get VERY uncomfortable on that seat, so beware. It does get better, though.

tremere · 25-Nov-03, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpinQueen

Check out www.spinning.com

What it is is basically an indoor cycling class. It can be high intensity, it can be moderate, it can be low. You get to choose how you want it. The instructor can take you through drills, or climbs, or sprints and so on, all which somewhat translate to road cycling.

If you monitor your heart rate, and stay aerobic for the most part, you do melt the fat quite easily. It's an excellent workout, both cardio and strength-wise. You build insane leg muscles, and it's an endurance challenge sometimes.

The first time you take the class, you will get VERY uncomfortable on that seat, so beware. It does get better, though.

Would this be anything like what Curves offers? My wife used to attend Curves, and while I saw SOME improvement in your phsyique (lost a little weight), for the amount of time she spent there I'd say she benefited very little. She confessed that they "go at their own pace", which knowing my wife's personality wasn't a fast enough or intense enough pace to work up a sweat. It is becoming irritating, with all of these gyms offering services that tout "at your own pace", when it is obvious that most of the folks who let themselves get into that shape in the first place DEFINITELY have their own pace. I think that gyms are sacraficing intensity and dedication for money.

NateDogg · 25-Nov-03, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tremere

Would this be anything like what Curves offers? My wife used to attend Curves, and while I saw SOME improvement in your phsyique (lost a little weight), for the amount of time she spent there I'd say she benefited very little. She confessed that they "go at their own pace", which knowing my wife's personality wasn't a fast enough or intense enough pace to work up a sweat. It is becoming irritating, with all of these gyms offering services that tout "at your own pace", when it is obvious that most of the folks who let themselves get into that shape in the first place DEFINITELY have their own pace. I think that gyms are sacraficing intensity and dedication for money.

With regards to Spinning, "go at your own pace" is supposed to mean just that, not "go at the pace of the class." If it's not hard enough, increase the resistance.

That said, yeah, people who are overweight may have gotten that way from doing nothing. However, going from 0 to 60 is not going to help them because most are going to feel intense pain, notice they are not instantly skinny, but are still in pain, and give up very quickly. I see where you are coming from, but something is better than nothing. If you and your wife were unhappy with Curves, she didn't belong there. That doesn't necessarily mean that such "gyms" are a bad idea.

SpinQueen · 26-Nov-03, 09:42 PM

Correct.

And, as I learned tonight when I taught my fisrt class, I'm tough as hell. The regular instructor said I kicked even her ass. So, sometimes, eveb if you put half the resistance I ask for, you could still be getting quite a nice workout.

tremere · 28-Nov-03, 10:06 PM

That is a problem that I think a lot of gyms have, the classes are "mostly fun, little work". Of course this is coming from a "no pain, no gain" kind of person

I do think that my wife enjoyed going to Curves, but I don't think she was that happy with the results of working out there, and she is not one to do anything that is strenous. Hell, I've never been able to get her to jog for more than a few seconds, much less run. I know, I know. Her weight has altered her physical appearance to the point of her not being able to lift her legs without pain. Still, I have a difficult time understanding that one can benefit from exercise when it's only done "at a level that I am comfortable with, that doesn't hurt".

tremere · 28-Nov-03, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpinQueen

Correct.

And, as I learned tonight when I taught my fisrt class, I'm tough as hell. The regular instructor said I kicked even her ass. So, sometimes, eveb if you put half the resistance I ask for, you could still be getting quite a nice workout.

And, I want to say that I would LOVE to be in your spinning class. The "stretch" class I took two weeks ago was fun for me, but the fun for me comes from benefiting from my efforts. Sure, there were some stretches that I felt were provactive-looking (I'm not one to get on all fours and arch my butt in the air) and others that felt effective but silly, but the bottom line for me is what do I get out of the class in terms of my physical being? I will be going back to the class, if for no other than reason than that the instructor is serious about what she is teaching (I also love her selection of music). She has no problem helping you to pull your leg higher in the air

SpinQueen · 29-Nov-03, 07:06 AM

With regards to your wife not wanting to push herself, sign her up at Ballys. The instructors there will push her enough, trust me. I've never met a Ballys fitness instructor that didn't have a drill seargent attitude (within reason).

Must be why I like it. The woman who let me teach her class told me I'm such the little drill seargent, and I'll be all, "Move it! Let's go!" soon.

You're welcome in my class anytime!

Maybe a personal trainer is an option for your wife? Tough love can do the trick sometimes. I know from personal experience that when you're heavy, you have low energy, and probably don't feel like exercising. She just needs to push herself, and the exercise will give her the energy to intenisfy it.

lori501blu · 01-Dec-03, 10:32 AM

I absolutly LOVE spinning, my gym has awesome instructors and you will leave the class with a puddle of sweat at your bike.

What I love about the class, instructors and that keeps me motivated is 1- the instructors enthusiasm, the music, and the instructor constantly mixing up the ride. I wear a heart rate monitor and if we do a 1 1/2 hour class I can burn about 1400 calories.

So my advice - play awesome music, get your class pumped, and mix up the ride (sprints, standing, sitting, maxium intensity, less intensity,etc.)