Has anyone had success due to spinning classes?

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!!

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.