Spin Class? Is it worth it?

EdTheGinge

Yes yes yes yes yessssssssss, as long as you don't mind not being able to walk after lol. Great workout.

Hellbent_Heidi

I love it...its a great burn and awesome for your quads and glutes. I guess I bike outside and at the gym enough that I really don't have the saddle pain issues most people complain about....but its a lot of fun.

Give it a try...you have nothing to lose, and might just love it!

velodreams

Spinning is really effective exercise & less wear & tear on ur joints in general. Make sure that ur seat height, saddle distance & handlebar height are adjusted correctly for u. That can make a world of difference for preventing injuries, back pain & optimizing comfort. Have instructor or knowledgeable person help u out. Enjoy!

dwh77tx

It's a great calorie burner. Do it!!

dpollet2

Go! The sore hoo-hah does go away after the 2nd class or so. I liked it so much I bought the shoes that clip onto the pedals which makes a BIG difference when you're climbing hills.

KettleTO

When I started I'm pretty sure I was the biggest person in the class I was in lol. the best thing is though, it's not like you"ll be left behind. I think it's totally worth it and they also sell seat covers for more padding. what I find helpful is to move the seat forward or backward and it will ease the pain. i hope you do it!

I also did Spinning at my heaviest. I try to encourage larger women (or men) to stick with it. As you said, you can't left behind. As long as your heart rate is elevated, who the f! cares if you're doing jumps or whatever. Go for it, sweat and burn calories.

The second class is the worse on your bottom and then it gets better.

I used to have an instructor that would say "is that as hard as you can go?" and I'd mumble "no" to myself and kick it up a notch. I need someone to ask me that whenever I'm exercising.

janebshaw

I do a spin class at the local YMCA once or twice a week. At first, the bike seat made my bottom feel sore, but gradually, that went away.

If an uncomfortable bike seat is your main reason for not wanting to do a spin class, you could get a padded bike seat cover and take it to class with you.

lisadwelley

I took my first Spin class a couple of weeks ago. Besides the sore areas, I loved it. I have never sweat so much (even my socks were wet from sweat).

I had to take a break from exercising to fight a cold, but I will most definitely take it again. I bought a new HRM so I'm very curious on what I will burn.

I definitely say give it a try. Good luck.

footiechick82

If I could take a pic of my legs for you I would... but it's hard without a full length mirror... I will try though.

YES ABSOLUTELY 110% I go once a week the soreness will continue until you get use to the seat... in the meantime, get a gel seat!

ryanherbert

Go for it! I teach about half a dozen spin classes a week and love it.

A few things that will help!

1. Make sure your bike is set up correctly so speak to the instructor before the class to check the seat height, seat position, handlebar height and handlebar position to make sure it's right for you. Then take note of where the settings are (there's normally numbers or letters at each point) so you can adjust the bike yourself the next class.

2. Grab some bike shorts if you're uncomfortable and make sure your butt is right at the back of the saddle on the widest part of the seat so you don't put too much pressure on your nether region.

3. Make sure you've got a bit of resistance on the bike and don't free spin the wheels. This will prevent you from bouncing in the saddle which will be uncomfortable to say the least!

Enjoy

janebshaw

Great advice! Especially if you are new, it's a good idea to come in a few minutes early so the instructor can help you set up your bike properly. It can make the difference between enjoying the class and coming away with a back ache.

AlexandraR2011

I LOVE Spinning. I went 3 times a week before I moved. I burned upwards of 6-800 calories per hour on my 170 frame. It also helps if you really mesh well with the instructor. I tried 3 different instructors before I found a favorite. I got sore the first time around but i found my favorite instructor and he properly taught us how to seat the bike and how to properly ride. good luck!

ediegram

I love spin class. You get a great cardio work out not to mention good quad workout. This will probably be my cardio of choice because I had a total knee replacement in January.

I would suggest either buying the bike shorts, or buy one of those gel seats that you put on a regular bike. They are very easy to slip on / off. I take mine to class with me each time. Just don't forget it on the bike!

Edie

cals83

I take a 6am spin class a couple of times a week and it is totally worth waking up early for. The hardest part is getting out of bed early. I set my alarm and then when it goes off it is like eh I am up anyway so let's do this!

I don't think you will ever go to a spin class and regret it...let's put it that way.

bjune5

Try it! You might love it like I do. I wish there were more spin classes at my gym.
I bought a seat cover to help with the soreness.
It burns crazy amount of calories!

nataliesales

Do it! I go to a spin class at my university's gym 3x a week and I can already see a difference in how toned my legs are Depending on how hard you push yourself, you can really burn a ton of calories. I think I average around 600 calories per class.

darwinwoodka

If I'm gonna ride a bike I wanna go somewhere, dammit.

hmoffatt

The size of your body has a direct impact on the calories you expend in a class. Someone who is light is going to burn fewer calories than someone who is heavy. For example, a 150-lb. person burns about 240 calories cycling at a moderate intensity for 30 minutes; a 200-lb. person burns about 320 calories under the same conditions.

Actually that's not right, since cycling isn't a weight bearing activity and you're not riding up a real hill where gravity matters. Only your fitness (ie your efficiency) affects how many calories you burn.

I ride thousands of kilometres a year outside but I still like to go to spin classes when the weather is bad or when the days are too short to ride after work. With a good instructor it's great exercise, and I can burn 800 or more calories in an hour.

JanAlyssa825

I love spin! I genuinely look forward to it, and it's helped me work out on weekends, which I used to consider rest days. If the teacher is energetic and the music is good, the hour goes quickly. I even did it while on a cruise! Get a padded, removable seat cushion if it bothers you. For the first few classes, your butt will probably be sore, and your legs will feel like Jell-O, but eventually, you'll get used to it. It doesn't hurt at all anymore for me, and my legs have gotten really strong. It's also a great core workout because you have to hold yourself up in different positions. Sounds like you don't have anything to lose, since it's a free class!

norahwynn

My fiance spins 5-6 times a week for an hour and he not only loves it, but he's dropped major weight. We've recently talked about me joining a class to see if I can keep up (I have pretty bad asthma), but I'm buying a gel cushion first :glasses:

HardcoreP0rk

People love spin class, and I can understand the appeal. It's almost like being on a team. You have someone there motivating you. Its a dedicated hour of get in-get it done-get out...

But for my time and my money...I'd much rather buy a road bike and enjoy the scenery with my real friends. We just went biking for the first time together yesterday and it was awesome.




ETA: I rode only 15 miles, but didn't wear bike shorts...and now my cooter hurts. Just a friendly reminder...

NSMustanggirl

LOVE spin class! At first, I thought that whoever invented it was a mean, sadistic SOB but after a couple of classes I came to love it! I actually miss it when I'm not able to go!

dewsmom78

Cardio is good for the heart, but that's about it. If you want to burn more fat and retain muscle, lift weights. I am a firm believer in it after joining MFP. Search topics on it to see success stories.

kayjaycee9

I LOVE spinning. I go twice a week at least and sweat my butt off. I also do strength training on the other days just to keep an all around exercise routine.

OfficiallySexyVal

It's only worth if you are trying to lose weight, tone up, get fitter, improve your health or are into meeting energetic, supportive people. Otherwise, stay in bed

I love this comment! Spinning is very beneficial, granted it is super uncomfortable but I burn about 805 calories an hour according to my HRM, but I am still a pretty big girl. I love spinning because it is a great work out but easy on the joints!!!

Amberlynnek

I spin 4 days a week and love it! I was sore in unmentionable places for the first couple days but that goes away. If you have a really good instructor , its a really fun class. I have burned up to 700 calories in an hour. I got into it when I got injured after a marathon and it was the only thing that get could me close to even feeling the same way when I ran. It does require some endurance but I've seen newbies do great at the class. If its at 5 am, I suggest getting up early enough to get in a good breakfast, lots of water and some stretching. Its a pretty high intensity class for a body that just woke up. Good luck!

SlimJanette

I like spinning. I bring a bike seat cover. I burn about 450 cal for the hour.

carbons2k

according to my HRM I burned 800 calories spinning on tuesday. I think thats something!

elisa123gal

if you enjoy it.. do it! so hard to find an exercise to enjoy.

larsensue

what is spinning? I've heard it mentioned here lots but have no clue what it is....