Is Spinning better than Running

Bankman1989
Bankman1989 Posts: 1,116 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
http://www.livestrong.com/article/447738-is-spinning-better-than-running/

I say yes..lol..but i am biased as a Certified Spin Instructor. Some people love to run and I don't have a problem with that. Spinning and cycling (outdoors) are my fitness loves.
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Replies

  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    They compliment each other. I do both but enjoy running and real cycling better; spinning is my biking fix in the winter.
  • timadotcom
    timadotcom Posts: 653 Member
    Totally agree with you, I can burn 425 cals in my AM spinning class which is only 45 mins long... this includes warm up and cool down!
  • tenunderfour
    tenunderfour Posts: 429 Member
    Running & outdoor cycling > spinning!
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Totally agree with you, I can burn 425 cals in my AM spinning class which is only 45 mins long... this includes warm up and cool down!

    Based on that running is definitely superior - I burned 878 cal last Thursday in 57:46.78 minutes running (not including the warm up & cool down) :laugh: :laugh:
  • christinaleffmann
    christinaleffmann Posts: 4
    Depends where your running, I've heard a lot of damage being done to your knees. While biking can help your knees. So in a non-calorie related way I'd definitely vote biking/spinning
  • Bankman1989
    Bankman1989 Posts: 1,116 Member
    Totally agree with you, I can burn 425 cals in my AM spinning class which is only 45 mins long... this includes warm up and cool down!

    Based on that running is definitely superior - I burned 878 cal last Thursday in 57:46.78 minutes running (not including the warm up & cool down) :laugh: :laugh:

    I typically burn 1200 or so teaching a 60 minute class.
  • alyssatuininga
    alyssatuininga Posts: 29 Member
    According to my heart rate monitor I burn more calories spinning than running in an hour. Spinning is usually 800-900 and running is about 700-800. Both with a warm up and cool down.
  • rednblack84
    rednblack84 Posts: 31
    I typically by 1050 in a 55 minute class including 5 min warm up and 5 min cool down and stretch. Spinning reigns supreme to me.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Depends where your running, I've heard a lot of damage being done to your knees. While biking can help your knees. So in a non-calorie related way I'd definitely vote biking/spinning

    You've been misinformed. The knee damage myth has been perpetuated for so long it's become conventional wisdom. There''s a solid body of research that has proven that runners do not suffer any more osteoarthritis in hips & knees than the general population. It's true that running is contraindicated for those who are severely overweight but that's a function of the weight not the activity.

    http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1948208,00.html

    http://www.npr.org/2011/03/28/134861448/put-those-shoes-on-running-wont-kill-your-knees
  • grassette
    grassette Posts: 976 Member
    Depends on your body. If you have bad knees and weak ankles, the bike is a great way to exercise.
  • LovelyNFit
    LovelyNFit Posts: 92 Member
    Totally agree with you, I can burn 425 cals in my AM spinning class which is only 45 mins long... this includes warm up and cool down!

    Based on that running is definitely superior - I burned 878 cal last Thursday in 57:46.78 minutes running (not including the warm up & cool down) :laugh: :laugh:

    I typically burn 1200 or so teaching a 60 minute class.

    I do spinning 4 to 5 times a week - MFP gives me 429 cal for 60 min -???
  • johnwhitent
    johnwhitent Posts: 648 Member
    Why choose? Go for both! All things don't hinge on the calorie burn. Each activity offers benefits that can compliment the other. Like some others here, I prefer riding a real bike outdoors which offers another set of benefits as well. I am a huge believer in variety and cross training so just enjoy some of all.
  • Nopedotjpeg
    Nopedotjpeg Posts: 1,805 Member
    I did enjoy spinning when I was a child. I would look at the ground and spin for a minute or two and then walk around all dizzy.
  • duetwithjosh
    duetwithjosh Posts: 121
    I find indoor cycling to be extremely boring. I'd much rather run outside, bike outside, or even run on a treadmill. That said, anything that gets people off their couches and sweating is a good thing :)
  • Alwaysnancy
    Alwaysnancy Posts: 51 Member
    I'll say I love running outside much better than indoor cycling but I think I probably expend more energy (calories) in the spin class I've attended. It's 30 minutes of spinning and 30 minutes of kettlebell. I'm totally spent after that one. I can't say I love it but it doe what it intends to do. Burn calories and increase fitness.
  • BaliRun
    BaliRun Posts: 114 Member
    Anyone try Real Ryder spinning class?

    Beats any other spin class out there. it simulates and out door ride. This is the class I take at my gym and I cant ever imagine going back to regular spinning. The bikes move side to side and you can burn up to twice as many calories. not to mention they are sooooo much fun!!!

    One of our instructors also incorporated weights into the mix. His class made Self Magazine top workout classes in the nation.

    Check out a video of the class

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJL373mKbmQ
  • amyy902
    amyy902 Posts: 290 Member
    ahah im the same i love spin,l im a spin instructor too. but i also run. i get a fairly similar calorie burn, however i sweat a heck of a lot more teaching my classes!
  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member
    I love Spinning! 2 years of spinning helped elevate my fitness level and endurance abilities to the point where I was able to run. I doubt that walking alone would have done that much. Lately I have been incorporating more running into my routine, just as a cross training option. I wouldn't say one is better than the other. The combination is fantastic!!
  • sweetteacher123
    sweetteacher123 Posts: 178
    I say whatever workout you enjoy so you will actually DO the workout is best! We're all different and like different workouts. If you
    Iike both spinning and running, alternate so you don't get bored. I have friends that do workout videos, which are great workouts, but I get bored and don't like them, so they aren't a good workout for me. I have to do what I like and what's best for me. The most important point is that you are burning calories!
  • MomBod81
    MomBod81 Posts: 47 Member
    I always wonder how others seem to have this huge (1000 cal +) burn during a spin class. I work hard when I go to spin class, but I'd say on average I burn about 450-500 cal. during an hour class. I really don't think that others are working that much harder in order to burn TWICE the amount of calories, or more. Any explanation?
  • Bankman1989
    Bankman1989 Posts: 1,116 Member
    I depends on your weight and also what you are doing in the class. My claases involve squats ON the bike as well as push-ups (between 350-500 per class) ON the bike. A 220 pound person going the same speed and doing the same movements as a 110 pound person will burn twice as many calories.

    As a teacher I notice that my students dont go as hard for the full 60 seconds especially during SQUATS AND PUSHUPS..LOL. Ialso have to get them to climb ALL the way up the hill.
  • Ruthaw1961
    Ruthaw1961 Posts: 42 Member
    Just sayin'...
    http://www.spinning.com/en/file/download/tinymce_file_browser/99/Keep_it_Safe.pdf
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    I always wonder how others seem to have this huge (1000 cal +) burn during a spin class. I work hard when I go to spin class, but I'd say on average I burn about 450-500 cal. during an hour class. I really don't think that others are working that much harder in order to burn TWICE the amount of calories, or more. Any explanation?

    Often the numbers are overestimated due to a combination of thermal stress and imprroper HRM setup.
  • Aperture_Science
    Aperture_Science Posts: 840 Member
    IMHO The best form of exercise is one which you enjoy, you can do properly and fits in with your lifestyle.

    Arguing the details over calorific burn, muscle gain, muscle wastage, potential injuries etc is largely a waste of time. If you have an exercise that you enjoy, stick with it. If you have an exercise program that you dislike change it until you find something that you do enjoy. If you don't currently exercise, pick something you think you might enjoy and get out there and do it.
  • Aquaduckie
    Aquaduckie Posts: 115
    Totally agree with you, I can burn 425 cals in my AM spinning class which is only 45 mins long... this includes warm up and cool down!

    Based on that running is definitely superior - I burned 878 cal last Thursday in 57:46.78 minutes running (not including the warm up & cool down) :laugh: :laugh:

    I typically burn 1200 or so teaching a 60 minute class.

    I do spinning 4 to 5 times a week - MFP gives me 429 cal for 60 min -???

    It can depend on your weight and your fitness level. Everyone burns different calories for various activities. A good heart rate monitor is a good investment for keeping track of calories burned. They're pretty accurate.
  • Jenjaz1910
    Jenjaz1910 Posts: 433 Member
    Never actually done spinning BUT I have achillis tendonitis (sp) and dodgy knees, was diagnosed with some fancy *kitten* named injury when I was 13 that women athletes in their 30/s have?!?! I was very athletic and sporty as a youngster, ran for school, town and county until my knees couldn't take it anymore! I was told by specialist to cycle instead, as there isn't as much impact! I am trying to find a spinning calss near me that is NOT booked up. I still "ocassionally" run but it does take it out of my knees and ankles :( esp when I was playing hockey x
  • maryjaquiss
    maryjaquiss Posts: 307 Member
    I'd go for running every time - you don't have to get to the gym and you're outdoors instead of smelling other people's sweaty gym kit and breathing stale air conditioned air! I'm not a very confident cyclist, either, which makes getting out on the bike less appealing than getting on my running shoes :smile:
  • Dragonfly1996
    Dragonfly1996 Posts: 196 Member
    IMHO The best form of exercise is one which you enjoy, you can do properly and fits in with your lifestyle.

    Arguing the details over calorific burn, muscle gain, muscle wastage, potential injuries etc is largely a waste of time. If you have an exercise that you enjoy, stick with it. If you have an exercise program that you dislike change it until you find something that you do enjoy. If you don't currently exercise, pick something you think you might enjoy and get out there and do it.

    ^^^ this otherwise u won't stick to it!!

    I actually really rate spinning, cycling & running - love them all!!! :flowerforyou:
  • Jg2005
    Jg2005 Posts: 1
    My spin instructor makes it her goal to burn 1000 calories every class. Other people who wear hrm to class get estimates from 700-1000, usually. I log it as vigorous stationary biking because the spin choice only puts it at 425 or so.

    I prefer spinning because I have knee issues and running 3-4 times a week wears me down pretty fast.
  • getfitdiva
    getfitdiva Posts: 1,148 Member
    I think whichever exercise you love to do is better! With that being said I enjoy spinning over running. Although I think you can slim down quicker w/ running but when you are fit your body gets more efficient with all that cardio. Either way I think a mix of cardio + strength training is the best combination. Do what you will stick to to get results! :wink:

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