Spinning

raulfarfan

Good morning I recently came across an article that had mixed opinions about spinning ... do you all think the positives are far more than the negatives? ?

NorthCascades

Riding a bike is great for your knees and your cardiovascular health, but riding a "bike" indoors is boring. I guess if the positives outweigh that or not depends on the individual and their tolerance for feeling like a hamster on a wheel.

CincyNeid

Going To a spin class is GREAT cardio exercise. At least the ones I've been to are high energy, motivating and fun. But I'll be honest. I would rather be outside than inside.

denversillygoose

So what were the negatives? Spinning class is great if you can't ride outside.

mysticwryter

raulfarfan wrote: »

Good morning I recently came across an article that had mixed opinions about spinning ... do you all think the positives are far more than the negatives? ?

OMG I love spinning. It's a great workout. Usually a burn within an hour of spinning (usually a class will last that long) is around 700 calories (if you weight more than it's usually higher). It's a great motivator when you are in a class and you aren't just sitting on your butt; you do hill climbs, speed traps, etc.

If you have a chance to do it, I would. You'll see a difference in your endurance and your waist line.

queenliz99

I get a better workout when I ride outside.

sammyliftsandeats

I guess one of the negatives would be the cost if you go to a boutique spinning gym such as SoulCycle.

The one I used to go to in Vancouver is $170 CAD plus taxes for 30 days unlimited.

My community centre gym membership is $40 CAD a month.

abitofbliss

NorthCascades wrote: »

but riding a "bike" indoors is boring. .

Seriously... I was stuck having to work out at a gym over the weekend. The plain white walls haunted my workout. I missed my scenic rides. So lucky to have the opportunity to exercise outside...Now if the FL heat would just give in a little bit.

NorthCascades

mysticwryter wrote: »

OMG I love spinning. It's a great workout. Usually a burn within an hour of spinning (usually a class will last that long) is around 700 calories (if you weight more than it's usually higher).

Not really true on an indoor bike. It takes more calories for a heavy person to ride up a hill, but if the bike isn't moving, then it takes the same amount of energy to turn the pedals. There's a small difference because your legs move with the cranks, but most of what makes a heavy person heavy isn't in their legs.

ew_david

I just got a bike and love it, but I LOATHED spinning. I just hate indoor cardio in general.

stingrayinfl

if you enjoy it, do it. I ride and teach a rpm class twice a week. I love the folks in the class and it helps me. I put in a lot of mileage running and walking, so the rpm class gives me a good workout and less road miles on my legs. Doing intervals and hill work helps my running.

BrianSharpe

I do a group spinning class with my triathlon club as a way of keeping bike fitness up over the winter (I also have my road bike on a trainer at home) plus it's a bit of a social event too as you get to know quite a few people over the years but given a choice between riding outside or spinning the great outdoors wins every time.

Cycling is a great cardio workout and other than perhaps what some clubs might charge I can't think of a downside.

tjones0411

I'm not a rider - I can't tell you the last time I rode a real bike. It's been at least 20 years (yikes). But I love spinning. I love the loud music and the energy from the class and the instructor. I do much better in that environment than I believe I would on my own. AND it's at 5:15am, so I need the motivation for sure.

BalletAndBarbells

I don't cycle outdoors - scared of the traffic and the UK weather! Love spin though - high energy class and you really know you've worked! It does depend on the group and the instructor though as I have been to some crap classes as well! Not sure what negatives you refer to in your OP? I find it is great for CV health and low impact so good for joints etc! Sometimes get "saddle sore" but I think that with the right shorts it's manageable!

Bocch

raulfarfan, you did not really mention much about the article you read. Was it negatives for spinning at home alone or spinning in a club? Spinning has its pros and cons just like cycling outside. Then again there are pros and cons to everything. Anyway, I try to ride outside during spring-summer-fall because I too find it boring inside. I have seen many great sceneries as well as wild life (bears, foxes, pheasant, eagles, falcons and hawks). When the cold weather hits in my area, I spin indoors. I have a road bike mounted on a resistance trainer. I have tried some spin classes and did not like them. Why? Well the fitness instructor most times thinks its important to do a series of repeated stand and sits. A person with bad knees should not even attempt that. However, my complaint is that those repeated stand and sits do not reflect true road bike cycling.For my indoor spin sessions at home, I use a specific spinning training video.I do not listen to a rock concert or watch a movie or read a book. I actually do a spinning workout. I am not sure I can write his name here but he has some very good videos and samples can be found on youtube.

annieoldie

Spin classes are great. I live in the UK on a hill with narrow roads up and down so far too scary for cycling. I belong to a gym and have been to most spin classes. I have found out which instructors get me working and motivate me and which ones are far too passive. I find it great as a workout and there are quite a few " more mature people spinning" so I don't feel the odd one out. Lots of the gym classes attract the younger members and I feel a bit old and slow.

BoxerBrawler

I know a whole bunch of people who have lost weight doing Spin. They've also gained a lot of muscle (quads/glutes/legs), which is awesome if you want to be very muscular on the bottom Personally I can't stand Spin class. I always say "Nothing ever good came from sitting on your *kitten*" Hahaha! But to each their own.

BoxerBrawler

I lied... there is one Spin class that I'll take about once a month or every couple of months. My Wave Master Boxing Trainer teaches a Spin class one a week. Throughout the class she'll have everyone jump off their bikes and start doing Burpees or some other kind of quick hit calisthenic haha.

scorpio516

denversillygoose wrote: »

So what were the negatives? Spinning class is great if you can't ride outside.

The only ones I can think of are in comparison to something else:

• It's not a weight carrying activity, so it does nothing for bone mass
• It lacks vitamin D from the sun (but also lacks the UV for sunburns and skin cancer)
• You don't go anywhere?

ilex70

Walk outside if the weather is at all bearable.

Spin inside, partly because cars and I don't have a bike. Also I prefer music w/cardio and that is a lot safer in a studio. I've read a decent bike starts around $600.

ka97

I think one could debate the positives and negatives of almost any activity.
If someone enjoys it, and he/she wants to do it regularly - then that is what really matters.

Sloth2016

I really enjoy my spin classes - some weeks I go every day. Makes me feel great all day long.

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