Spinning Question: What's more important - RPMs or resistance?

melicious276
melicious276 Posts: 38 Member
edited November 24 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm a newish spinner and I'm definitely not up to par with the others who are in my class. There is zero chance I can be at a "level 5" and spinning 130 RPM at this point. As I am starting out...which is more important...keeping up with the RPMs or the resistance that my instructor is calling out?

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  • Unknown
    Unknown
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  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    melicious276 wrote: »
    I'm a newish spinner and I'm definitely not up to par with the others who are in my class. There is zero chance I can be at a "level 5" and spinning 130 RPM at this point. As I am starting out...which is more important...keeping up with the RPMs or the resistance that my instructor is calling out?

    Cadence, or RPM, is more important. Your ability to deal with resistance will improve in time.

    If you go to a lower cadence against a higher resistance you risk damaging your knees over the long term.
  • htimpaired
    htimpaired Posts: 1,404 Member
    I agree with crazyravr. My spin instructor goes by RPM, and tells us to adjust our resistence to a perceived exertion based on that RPM range. Ie. Aim for btw 90-110 RPM, going up a hill, maybe you're at a 10, maybe a 13...
    I also use my heart rate as a guide. If I'm keeping it btw 160-170, I know I'm at the intensity I am personally looking for.
  • melicious276
    melicious276 Posts: 38 Member
    edited September 2015
    Thanks all! I'm off to another spin class now. I wear a polar HRM in class and on hills I'm usually around 160 hills even if my RPMs are like 60. Usually when we're "running it out" I'm around 140 (clearly I am out of shape). I'm going to try to go for keeping up with the RPMs in my class today and see how it goes :)
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