Spinning

I am a spinning junkie now. I HATED it when I first did it, but I learned how to push myself and when to back off (so I didn't puke!). Now I love it for the mere fact that I can burn GOBS of calories in an hour. Good for you for giving it a go! :happy:

Yep...hated it the first time too...thought I was seriously going to drop over dead!:noway: But...I'd say you should try it one more time. Now you know what to expect, so you can adjust how hard you work and have a better feel of how to push your body. Then after a second go-round if you don't like it, never do one again! It is a love or hate class. And now I LOVE it!!!!!!!:bigsmile: Still need to get some spinning shoes though. Has anyone found somewhere to get spinning shoes for relatively low cost???

Yup that's how i felt at my first spinning class! I never went back. :laugh:
I do something else that's more my pace...



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First class is ALWAYS tough. I see people leave tired and exhausted. KEEP AT IT!! It took me 2 weeks to really fall in love with Spinning. I wish I did it for years before I knew what it really was. Good music in the class also is very important! G'luck and don't give up.

I also was not a fan of spinning at first. But just seeing the calories burned from doing it, made me go back and now I love it.

Our spinning classes are in the dark with black lights and the walls are all painted a big mural of a road (country and city scenes) that you can still see when the lights are off.

Spinning rocks...it takes time but its fun.

I also was not a fan of spinning at first. But just seeing the calories burned from doing it, made me go back and now I love it.

Our spinning classes are in the dark with black lights and the walls are all painted a big mural of a road (country and city scenes) that you can still see when the lights are off.

How cool is that???

I found a cheap pair of reebok spin shoes on ebay for 30 bucks...check out some alternatives to spending 100 on shoes...I just couldn't do it. Perhaps they were used...I have had no probs since...sister is a doc and says we're all just so paranoid about germs...they're awesome!

What exactly is spinning and how is it different from stationary cycling? Could I do it with a normal bike and a pair of rollers?

How do u add spinning as your exercise log? A forty minutes class burns how many calories? Anyone know?

Thought this might help with some of the questions.

Spinning 101
By: Liz Neporent
Nancy Chiocchi


The Scoop on Spinning

Spinning was created by world-class cyclist "Jonny G." Goldberg as a convenient and quick way to train for races. In 1989, he and John Baudhuin opened the first spinning center in Santa Monica, California and then developed a program to certify other spinning instructors. Curious to know about this spinning thing? The following info will help you decide if it's for you:

What is it? Spinning is an aerobic exercise that takes place on a specially designed stationary bicycle called (obviously enough) a spinning bike. As you pedal, motivating music plays and the instructor talks you through a visualization of an outdoor cycling workout: "You're going up a long hill now, you can't see the top yet. During the class you vary your pace -- sometimes pedaling as fast as you can, other times cranking up the tension and pedaling slowly from a standing position. This helps you to focus inwardly and work on your mind as well as your body.

Why we love it: Spinning burns serious calories (about 450 in 45 minutes) and offers an awesome aerobic workout that makes your heart pump fast. It also tones your quadriceps (front thigh muscles) and outer thigh muscles like nobody's business! Because you stay in one place with the same basic movement throughout, Spinning doesn't involve a lot of coordination; it's easier to concentrate on your form than in other types of aerobic classes. And although you follow the general instructions of the spinning teacher, you are in control when it comes to your pace. You can finish a spin class, regardless of your fitness level, simply by adjusting your pace or the tension knob on the bike.

Drawbacks: Spinning does not work all leg muscles equally, so if you spin without doing some cross training activities, you may develop muscle imbalances. Spinning every day can also be too much of a good thing -- real spin enthusiasts have to watch out for overuse injuries in their knees, hips and lower backs. If Spinning is your main source of exercise, we recommend doing some resistance training workouts that include hamstring (back of thigh), buttock and inner thigh exercises.

Equipment Needed: Other than the bike, here's what you need for a safe, comfortable ride:

A stiff-soled shoe with good ventilation. (Running and aerobic shoes, which are soft-soled, may leave your feet numb by the end of the class.)


Two towels, one for wiping away sweat and one for draping over the handlebars so your hands won't slide out of position.


A full water bottle, because you're definitely going to sweat. Most spinning bikes are equipped with a water bottle cage so you can place your H2O within easy reach.
Insider information: Riding with an incorrect seat setting can also lead to injury. Set your seat height so your knee is slightly bent at the bottom of the pedal stroke. Set the handlebars so that they are level with the seat. When you lean forward and place your hands on the bars, there should be a slight bend at your elbows.

Hot Tip: Arrive five minutes early for your first class so your instructor can answer any questions and help you with bike adjustments. Make sure you let her know about any injuries that you have so she can help you modify some of the moves. During class, be sure to let your instructor know if you are having trouble with the resistance knob or the general technique. If the class is too intense, just pedal more slowly or take the tension down.

Have any of you women out there ever been spinning and the seat of the bike hurts your crotch and bottom? I tried spinning once, and I was in agony afterwards because of it. Any suggestions?

It gets better. It takes at least a few times, but I swear it's like you have to break in your butt/crotch. :laugh:

Have any of you women out there ever been spinning and the seat of the bike hurts your crotch and bottom? I tried spinning once, and I was in agony afterwards because of it. Any suggestions?

I had trouble with this when i first started but once I learned the correct height for the bike and then the correct position for the seat, it helped. also, Once you get stronger and more experienced you will see a big improvement - you don't 'rely' on the seat as much because you are engaging your core. They also sell cushioned seat at the sports stores - big help.

Have any of you women out there ever been spinning and the seat of the bike hurts your crotch and bottom? I tried spinning once, and I was in agony afterwards because of it. Any suggestions?

I had trouble with this when i first started but once I learned the correct height for the bike and then the correct position for the seat, it helped. also, Once you get stronger and more experienced you will see a big improvement - you don't 'rely' on the seat as much because you are engaging your core. They also sell cushioned seat at the sports stores - big help.

Yeah, I also notice that after 2 classes it feels better, BUT if I take a week or two off of spinning, the first class back hurts again!! (Good incentive not to miss too many classes!)