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Will Spinning make me fatter?

Posts: 39 Member
edited February 16 in Health and Weight Loss
A colleague at work is insisting that Spinning will make me fat as it overworks the legs so it will make me bulky and it makes the thighs hold on to the fat as if there’s no tomorrow.
I googled the subject and I saw a lot of articles saying the same.
I can’t understand how a workout that can make me burn so many calories can “make me fat”. I think weight loss has to do with having a calorie deficit. Has any of you heard anything about Spinning “fattening up” people?

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Replies

  • Posts: 5,413 Member
    Your colleague is having a laugh at your expense. Or else is incredibly ignorant about physiology.

    Spinning will only make you fatter if you accompany it with an excess of calories.
  • Posts: 41,865 Member
    You colleague is a dip ****.
  • Posts: 1,121 Member
    :noway: :noway: :noway:

    That's the craziest thing I've heard in awhile - spinning making someone fat. I used tot ake spin classes at Gold's when I was able to make the class times - I didn't bulk up or get fatter from taking them. And I've never seen a regular spin attendee fat or bulky either.
  • Posts: 7,001 Member
    A colleague at work is insisting that Spinning will make me fat as it overworks the legs so it will make me bulky and it makes the thighs hold on to the fat as if there’s no tomorrow.
    I googled the subject and I saw a lot of articles saying the same.
    I can’t understand how a workout that can make me burn so many calories can “make me fat”. I think weight loss has to do with having a calorie deficit. Has any of you heard anything about Spinning “fattening up” people?

    Nope. It takes eating at a calorie surplus and dedicated heavy lifting to gain muscle. It's actually quite difficult for women to get "bulky". Cardio exercise does not make you hold onto fat. Eating a calorie deficit will make you lose weight. Cardio exercise would be for fitness and to add to your calorie deficit by a small margin.
  • That is -not- true! I know someone who lost 50lbs with cycling as their only exercise.
  • Posts: 2,582 Member
    There are times in life when it's important to apply a filter of critical thinking.

    This concept is either sarcasm or idiocy.
  • Posts: 1,021 Member
    OMG! only if your spinning while eating massive amounts of cake
  • Posts: 4,489 Member
    Maybe Spinning while eating 10lbs of cookie dough?
  • Posts: 7,166 Member
    I could maybe understand if someone thought it would build muscle and therefor make your legs bigger (still NOT true), but I really can't understand how someone thinks it would actually make legs fatter (or make them not lose fat even while in a calorie deficit).
  • Posts: 240 Member
    You colleague is a dip ****.

    I second this motion.
  • Posts: 3,987 Member
    Eating too much makes you fat. If spinning or cycling made you fat the Tour De France would be a most bizarre spectacle
  • Posts: 3,942 Member
    I think I've just discovered a cure for world hunger.
  • Posts: 1,235 Member

    I second this motion.

    I concur
  • Posts: 84 Member
    I am a spin instructor. Spinning will not make you fat unless your eating or drinking to many calories in which case that is making you fat not the spinning.
  • Posts: 1,022 Member
    bikes make you supa fat. :huh:

    148638846_cali_530466c.jpg
  • Posts: 67 Member
    Your college is an idiot. The only thing that will make you fat is over eating and not exercising.
  • Posts: 5,609 Member
    I don't know - Sir Chris Hoys legs are massive. :smile:

    Only joking - if you're eating a deficit no way will it.

    In fact if your eating a deficit and lifting heavy on your legs - all they will get is toned.
  • Posts: 922 Member
    The only way Spinning will make you fat is if you're gnawing on drumsticks dipped in bacon grease whilst doing it..... no small task being that it would require an extra couple limbs to be able to perform said task while spinning. Spinning is an incredible cardio workout, that while is on a Spin Bike, and you're legs are used... that's only one tiny component. It's core work, arms, back, glutes... that being said.... I don't think there's an exercise in the world that "makes you fat". Building muscle is not building fat. Two separate things entirely. Muscle = Good.
  • Posts: 18 Member
    You colleague is a dip ****.

    +1

    I spun as an amateur cyclist back in the 1989-1995 time frame, and I ate whenever I wanted, and as much as I wanted, and never gained a pound. In fact, my BF went from 14% at the start to ~8% when I finished. Diet was largely carbs, low fat, with chicken and fish thrown in for good measure.

    The key is consistency; I probably cycled 6 days a week (trainer in winter) for at least 45 minutes at a time....5000-8000 miles/yr.

    The key to my stable weight was the exercise because as soon as I stopped, I ballooned.

    Keep spinning! It's easier on your knees.
  • Posts: 922 Member
    Eating too much makes you fat. If spinning or cycling made you fat the Tour De France would be a most bizarre spectacle

    ^^ Haha, omg, you nearly made me spit up coffee on the monitor.... oh the visual!!
  • Posts: 2,005 Member
    Your colleague is either having fun at your expense, or seriously misinformed. So to answer the qestion...NO.
  • Posts: 18 Member
    bikes make you supa fat. :huh:

    148638846_cali_530466c.jpg


    .....and it will make you bald.....happened to me!!! lol
  • Posts: 9,532 Member
    A colleague at work is insisting that Spinning will make me fat as it overworks the legs so it will make me bulky and it makes the thighs hold on to the fat as if there’s no tomorrow.

    Yeah, for sure.

    That's why you see so many chubby legs at the Tour de France.
  • Posts: 1,022 Member


    .....and it will make you bald.....happened to me!!! lol

    ok they all kind of have bad hair. I tend not to look at faces.
  • Posts: 39 Member
    Hahaha! Thank you, guys!
    I feel like showing her this thread :laugh:
  • Posts: 609 Member
    This is silly advice. I think spinning is great cardio and in addition to helping me loss weight (I don't eat back all the calories burned) it has been great for my heart, complexion (ah, the post-work out glow), my *kitten* is no longer on the back of thigh and my stress level is way down. Of course, if this all sounds terrible stay away by all means :).

    Of course spinning isn't the only good work out but it is definitely a positive addition to your plan.
  • Posts: 314
    Spinning Does Not Make You Fat !! Consistently eating more calories than your body burns, now That will make you fat !!
    ..... Spinning,, well it just makes ME Dizzy :). Good Luck and talk to more informative people like some of the ones on here !!
  • Posts: 604 Member
    A colleague at work is insisting that Spinning will make me fat as it overworks the legs so it will make me bulky and it makes the thighs hold on to the fat as if there’s no tomorrow.

    I googled the subject and I saw a lot of articles saying the same.

    I can’t understand how a workout that can make me burn so many calories can “make me fat”. I think weight loss has to do with having a calorie deficit. Has any of you heard anything about Spinning “fattening up” people?
    Please share links to some of the articles that you found. I am always interested in learning.
  • Posts: 3,763 Member


    .....and it will make you bald.....happened to me!!! lol

    I wasn't going to say anything...but you opened the door. LOL

    In for cake and chicken legs dipped in bacon fat.
  • Posts: 79 Member
    No but it'll make you dizzy ;-)
This discussion has been closed.