Spin: Achey and unbalanced..haallp!

Pinkribbon_Doc

So, a few months ago I tried a spin class that friends of mine have been pushing me to go to. Well, it was a disaster for me I literally lasted 10 minutes, max. Two main reasons are that I feel like im incredibly uncoordinated so the standing up and sitting down on the bike seems almost impossible to me, and secondly....it hurts my butt. Seriously, the seat hurts me. Sitting on it is like sitting down on a railing.

My question is basically....does this get better over time? Ive heard such great things about the intense workout of spin, and would love to give it another go...but is it worth the butt bruises and possibly falling off the bike?

1111renee

yes it gets better........I spin 3 times a week. 2 one hour classes and one 90 min class................burns tons of calories, but I don't know if I can help u with the coordination........lol I can cheer you on though

junthree

The bruising goes away after a few visits, but unfortunately it comes back if you take an extended break. I thought my legs would cause me the most pain the day after my first spin class. Wow was I wrong!

As for the standing up and sitting down - just do what you can. It took me several classes to be able to keep up with the instructor and everyone else in the class. Spinning is the great workout you've heard.

kacylaine

It gets better and it gets better fast. I went to 3 classes a week, and by the first class of the second week, it was much, much better. The sore butt went away when I got up a little endurance (and rhythm/coordination) to be able to stand up at least most of the times the instructor asked us to.

Moonbeamlissie

I have never been to a spin class and honestly I wouldn't even try it. My hubby likes to go bike riding but as I tell him, it is like being raped by the bike seat......it plain hurts!!! Things get smushed into other "things" and I can't stand it! So I am trying to get a new bike right now but I am looking for a seat that um...... is friendly lol.

cheangela

Your butt will eventually desensitize if you do it regularly enough. But really, there is no shame in looking for something you'll enjoy for your own reasons. Yes, your friends dig it... but it just might not be your bag. That's why I'm a runner that rolls with a group of cyclists :-).

slp2112

okay, first the unbalanced part - make sure you've got the bike set up perfectly for you/your proportions, all the way down to making sure your feet are tightly strapped in or your shoes are clipped in (if you have spin shoes). It feels tippy and odd at first, but you're not going anywhere, I promise! It'll take a little time, but you'll master transitioning in and out of the seat and forget that you ever felt unbalanced. practice makes perfect here, I think.

as for the seat issue, i definitely remember being "saddle sore" after my first couple of classes. but it eventually passed. i go to 1-hr classes and every once and awhile i'll stand (during recovery periods, for example) just to get rid of the discomfort that does come with being on that seat for long periods of time. i have heard of gel seats that people bring to spin class to cover the bike seat and make it more comfortable. i've never done it myself but it might be worth a shot if you do want to keep spinning but the "sitting on a rail" feeling persists.

that said, I LOVE LOVE LOVE spinning. i have to get up at 5 a.m. to make the class I go to and i'll still get up to go when I'm on vacation, despite the time. it's that fantastic. good luck!