Has anyone had success due to spinning classes?

phnompenny

I just went to my first Spinning class today and absolutely loved it. It's hard, yes, but when you are there you want to push yourself and I have to say seeing the sweat pouring out of me only made me want to work harder. Totally addictive workout and high intensity too. Can't wait for the next class!

benol1

At this point, I don't exercise at all. I've always wanted to try spinning classes. I've been told you can burn a lot of calories and really tone up from spinning.

It depends what you mean by "success".
I have mostly been doing Les Mill's RPM since the beginning of the year. I agree with others who have said that for a beginner this sort of high-intensity interval training is extremely hard for a beginner. But, it can be done.

I burn on average around 600 calories per 45min session. It is absolutely fantastic for cardio-vascular fitness and heart health and toning your legs. RPM is part of a number of activities and dietary program that I use for improving my health and wellbeing (inc. weightloss).
kind regards,

Ben

BelleVegan77

I actually work in a gym and we do have spin bikes here. You really do burn a lot really effective work out! Here are the tips I have to offer! Bike shorts or a gel seat or even a towel over the seat are a MUST LOL my butt hurts so bad I give up after about 10mins max but I always sweat like a pig and come away feeling like I have done something!

caitnessy

I love spin classes! My favorite type of spin class is called and spin and pump...we do reps of squats...sit ups..walking lunges...resistance bands..ect in between the spinning circuits....if you weigh around 150lbs my average spin class burns about 600. In just a straight spin class that was an hour we did 650 calories..

2stepscloser

I would highly encourage spin classes . The hardest part is getting over the uncomfortableness of the seat. I started in January and took my first class. All I could do was sit and spin. I couldn't hover or stand, much less change any resistance. I worked on other cardio equipment for two months and came back to spin. I was amazed at how much I could accomplish. I now spin 3 times per week and it's my absolute favorite class. I usually burn at least 600 cals in an hour.

AllenTGregory

I weigh 260 and I do spin class once a week. The bikes at my gym say that I burn about 400-450 for an hour of class. But that can't be right because I get on the elliptical for 30 minutes and burn that same amount. I work MUCH harder in spin class than on the elliptical.

I just went to two different websites (Self dot com and Glamour dot com) that had calculators and they say I burn about 1300 calories per class. I had no idea it was that much. Even if it's off, I still burn at least 1000 calories in an hour.

Spin class is awesome. I have flat feet so I probably need to get some insoles that's the only reason I don't do it more. I should probably do 3 classes a week. I think that's something I'm going to shoot for.

Having said all that, go for it. It's worth it.

emilyjobson7

Great responses in this thread, and I agree, spin is a great workout and anyone interested should give it a try! A few pointers and clarifications:

As said, talk to the instructor first and let them know you are a beginner so they can give you a few pointers. You always, ALWAYS work at your own level. If you have an instructor that is berating you for not working hard enough, or even worse, changing your gears for you (yes, I've seen it), find a new class.

Proper bike set up is ESSENTIAL to prevent knee pain and injuries. Indoor bikes won't be perfectly aligned, but you can get close. Your instructor will know how to set you up, but the rule of thumb is, at the bottom of the pedal stroke (foot flat at 6 o'clock), you should have a 15 - 30 degree bend in your knee. With your foot at 9 (forward, half way down), your knee should be around even with the crank. You can adjust these using the seat up/down and forward/back. One big issue with indoor cycling is that the handlebars are often poorly positioned. Just adjust so you aren't reaching far forward.

If you're at the point of standing, the key is to not put your weight on your handlebars. Move your butt back, feel the seat between your thighs. This is the target zone. Note that this position is not useful for outdoor cycling though (climbing hills outside is done differently, in a different position).

Take the watts on an indoor bike with a grain of salt. I am a certified Kaiser instructor, and when I was teaching, performed multiple FTP's (Functional Threshold Power - watt output testing) sessions on my classes using the Kaiser. I've done them myself on a regular basis. I am now a professional outdoor cyclist (road) and train on a bike trainer with a power meter and my own road bike. My set up now is VASTLY more accurate then an indoor bike and my numbers are completely different - i.e. my true watts are much lower than I was led to believe on the indoor bike, mostly because indoor bikes aren't usually calibrated properly, nor are they looking at all the variables (such as the rider's weight). A PP mentioned holding 200+ watts during a one hour class - up to 250 even. If you are female and doing that, you are cycling at the same level as a low level professional (I did a proper FTP a month ago and my one hour output is 192 watts, and I am a CAT 5 female cyclist;my husband's output was 289 and he's a CAT 3 cyclist - one level below regional pro level). I'm sure you probably aren't pushing that many watts, so please, don't trust the watts on an indoor bike.

To that point, and as mentioned, indoor cycling will not translate to outdoor cycling skills (unless you're on your own road bike on a trainer - even then, not the same thing), so don't depend on it for anything more than fitness and cardio.

For the question on calorie burn, on average, for our 60 - 70 minute classes, my HR averages 170 (peaks around 190) and I burn between 500 and 600 calories. I'm ~150 lbs.

ETA: If you can, get clip in's. Then you're using all the power in your legs rather than just pushing down. Not essential though.

chriscovino

http://www.indoorcycleinstructor.com/icipro-instructor-training/standing-burns-calories-sitting-indoor-cycling-class/

This is in response to the instructor who said that you get more calorie burn sitting. Research states the opposite. I am a competitive cyclist and spin lover, and you burn more energy standing for sure. All of my training partners minimize standing to conserve energy on our long rides. Regardless, get out there and ride or spin, it's the best thing you can do for yourself. It helped me lose 50 lbs and lower my BP, cholesterol, resting hr, weight, etc...

noitavitom

I disagree with building your fitness first....yes it is hardddd!! when your a beginner but its a gradual process it will get easier. If anyone is reading this and thinking of trying it .....give it a go!!

I have attended classes before but just invested in my own!!

Rocbola

Spin class is amazing. It's not only a great cardio workout for anyone, it's a great way to increase you cycling speed. If you are regularly spinning in Jan, Feb, March, when the spring and summer come around, you will notice that you bike at a higher speed than it feels like.

wonbuck80

Yes!!!
Tuned up my racer. Bought a bike trainer (turns your bike into a stationary bike). Kurt Kinetic brand preferably. Could only ride for 5 minutes. Did not quit. Within two weeks I was up to 20 minutes a day. After a month riding 5 days a week I lost 5lbs. with a caloric intake of 2000 from 4000 (huge help). Instead of 235 I was 230. Then the motivation kicked in. Got rid of the cookies crackers soda...etc. Just cleaned out the kitchen of temptations replaced with fruit and veg smoothies.
Began to spin at home 20 mins twice a day, lost 8lbs. that month. Within 5 months I was at 200lbs riding 30 mins. intensely spinning much sweat. Got more involved in calorie counting thanks to MYFITNESS APP which was a HUGE help. Going to Subway? Have them pull the bread from top and bottom. No mayo or cheese or dressings. Now your winning. Its been 4 years of maintaining a weight of 170-175 spinning 5 days twice a day at 45-60 mins with tight legs butt calves arms shoulders and ab muscles. The most important spin for me is in the morning on an empty stomach. Get your 7-8 hours of sleep because after my night ride calories are still burning well into my sleep. Incorporate some weight lifting and you are going to have a body to be proud of. Got to remember one thing, it's a lifestyle.

EmmaFowle

I've just started spin class. My first one was on Saturday and loved it so booked in again on Sunday. I now have to wait two weeks befre the next class because the classes get booked up fast! I've been going to the gym for just over a year now and lost 26lbs. my weight seems to be creeping back up despite going to the gym 3 times a week. I needed something to get me motivated again so I hope spin will help my weight loss again!