Spin Class Questions

kate900000
kate900000 Posts: 3 Member
edited November 11 in Fitness and Exercise
So I went to my first spin class last night and to be honest, it was horrible! I called the gym before I went and asked if there was anything I needed before I went and they said nope, just show up. I went in and did have spin shoes, I just strapped in to their things, sorry I don' know the technical term. The music started and I had no clue what I was doing. They were doing all sorts of things biking sitting up, rocking back and forth, up-down, etc. Is there any advice people can give me if I want to try it again? I kind of think I need the special shoes because everyone else had them and seemed to be doing better. I'm not completely unfit, I have been doing pilates and crossfit for a few months now. I want to like spin class because I think it could really help my cardio life. Does it get better with time?

Replies

  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    The shoes help but aren't necessary. I wouldn't invest until I knew that it was something that I'd be doing A LOT.

    Next time get to class 10 minutes early, tell the instructor that you're a newbie, and he/she will help you set up your bike and let you know the commands for the different positions.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    You don't need the shoes, if you don't want. Just make sure you're strapped in tight. Wasn't the instructor telling you what to do? I find that the people in spin class (the revolution/dancy type of classes) who look like they don't know what they're doing generally don't have great rhythm so they have a hard time pedaling and moving their upper body with the beat. They also don't usually have their abs engaged and are kind of flopping all about.
  • kate900000
    kate900000 Posts: 3 Member
    Yeah the instructor wasn't super helpful, he just gave me a towel and said I'll need it. Maybe I'll try with a different instructor and hopefully it goes better.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    kate900000 wrote: »
    Yeah the instructor wasn't super helpful, he just gave me a towel and said I'll need it. Maybe I'll try with a different instructor and hopefully it goes better.

    Yeah, try that. Ask them to help you set your bike up too.
  • pink00007
    pink00007 Posts: 50 Member
    I had an awesome spin teacher and enjoyed it a lot and then I had a horrible spin teacher. Maybe try another instructor before you throw in the towel.
  • mochapygmy
    mochapygmy Posts: 2,123 Member
    kate900000 wrote: »
    Yeah the instructor wasn't super helpful, he just gave me a towel and said I'll need it. Maybe I'll try with a different instructor and hopefully it goes better.

    Try another instructor. At my gym the spin instructors always start by asking if anyone is new and even if everyone says no they walk around and glance at how they have their bikes set up and make suggestions if necessary. Some teachers are better than others at giving commands for positioning, speed etc and some teachers strictly follow the music and the beat and others do their own thing. Music choice won't keep me from a spin class but a bad instructor will however I get a much better workout with that perfect combo of great instructor and kick *kitten* music selection.

    It does get better and pretty quickly especially when you find an instructor whose style you like.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    kate900000 wrote: »
    Yeah the instructor wasn't super helpful, he just gave me a towel and said I'll need it. Maybe I'll try with a different instructor and hopefully it goes better.

    be more proactive. life isn't about waiting for someone to come around and do the things you're hoping to get done. walk into ANY spin class 10 mins before the start of the class, tell them you are new, and ask them to help you with the bike and for what you should expect to happen in the class.

    this is your fitness and your life. take charge of it and you'll be amazed at how easy everything becomes.
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