Spinning gear

BalletAndBarbells

Hi all spinners (I know there are a lot of cardio haters on here but I'm hoping some of you guys find spinning as great as I do!),

I have gotten into spinning for my cardio work and am now going 3-4xper week. Last session I went to I found the saddle quote uncomfortable in the sprints and I'm wondering if anyone uses a gel saddle cover and finds it helpful or whether padded cycle shorts might be a good investment?

Also, is it worth getting cleated cycle shoes or is the added benefit minimal? I don't do any road cycling so I would be buying them just for spinning. I've heard they help with a more even stroke and therefore you use the small muscles better but not sure whether it's worth the extra cost or just stick to trainers?

Any suggestions welcome.
Thanks in advance!

VegasFit

I'm a fan of indoor cycle class. I bought cycle shoes after my second class. They were worth the investment for me. Most instructors do comment that if you plan on making it a part of your regular routine to invest in the shoes. As far as the gel seat goes I did use one for a few class. I think it was about $10 from Target or Walmart. I don't really find the seat uncomfortable and never did but had bought the gel seat because others in class used it. Plus the couple times I did use it I forgot and left it in class.

BrianSharpe

Padded shorts are probably worthwhile investing in rather than a gel seat pad. 90% of the discomfort will go away as your sit bones get accustomed to riding.


I've been riding with cleats for years and use them spinning too. They offer a couple of benefits, one of them being proper foot position and being able to pull on the upstroke rather than just mashing on the downstroke all of the time. Before investing in shoes and cleats check with your class to see what type of pedals they're using (if they have traps on one side they're probably Shimano SPD). You don't need to buy an overly expensive pair of shoes, good fit is most important (I have a fairly inexpensive pair that are going on 5 years old now and I ride quite a bit)

sijomial

Padded shorts - definitely.

I'm a fan of cleated cycle shoes when spinning, helps keeps my wonky knees in alignment and also means you can engage your hamstrings to a degree. I bought some inexpensive MTB style ones with cleats recessed into the sole so you can walk (relatively!) normally.

Do remember to set your seat height correctly, so many people have their saddle far too low and bounce around at high cadence or sprints in what looks a sure-fire way to bruise tender parts of your anatomy.

BalletAndBarbells

Thanks guys - shoes it is! I'll wait and see if I think I need padded shorts in a few more weeks.

maureented

I would recommend spin shoes. Not only do they help with knee/foot alignment and pulling on the upstroke I find due to their stiffness that they support my whole foot (my running shoes tend to flex quite a bit). As with getting used to sitting on the seat for a 45-60 min class sometimes it takes a while to adjust to the spin shoes too. Spin twice a week for 4 plus years.