What Do I need to Know about Indoor Cycling/Spin Classes?
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I miss my spin class. What I loved about it was that since I have my own knee issues, it was easy to go at my own pace and resistance. Everyone's class is truly unique b/c of this. And no one cares or knows what you are doing or how well you are keeping up. If you are unsure, try sitting in the back if bikes are set up that way. You'll learn by watching the instructor and spying on other spinners. I loved my spin shoes, felt they made a big difference, especially on my knees. Cycle shorts, which, yes, are meant to be worn commando, never made an appearance in my spin class, but I often wore them on my own outside rides on my own bike. The better you stretch after class, the better you will feel. Ask instructor to adjust the bike for you prior to your first class, take note of the settings. Enjoy the music. Good luck!0
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I'm surprised that I'm not hearing more support for butt pads! Is it really not a big deal?
Whenever I go to spin I take my own bicycle seat cushion with me. I haven't been to spend in a while because I hurt my leg some time ago. But when I go back I will be taking my pad. Even with the pad your butt will hurt for the first several classes then it goes away0 -
This thread has inspired me to try a spin class! Sounds cool!2
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Another minority report: I like my gel seat cover. It makes things just a tiny bit more comfortable. I wouldn't bother buying one before the first class, though. See if you enjoy the activity first.
With or without a seat pad, your butt and (I think others possibly may have been too refined to say) lady parts will probably be sore for the first few classes, but you toughen up with repetition (the toughening process has no obvious lasting side effects for . . . other lifestyle activities, BTW).
Spin is fun, and a good workout. Like others, I encourage you to make it a goal to pedal through the entire class, even if you have to reduce resistance or cadence (strokes per minute) to do it. It's also OK to skip maneuvers that look unsafe for you at first. I'd say that even if you didn't have knee issues, but doubly true with them. (Some instructors do more rapid shifts between sit & stand, for example - that can be daunting at first).
I'd also suggest arriving a little early so you can get some bike set-up help from the instructor with less impact on others' workout time, and to fill him/her in that you have knee issues and may need to modify.
Have fun!
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Love spinning. Never worn special cycling shorts, my butt has its own padding! Water, towel and non-flappy leggings, know people who have been injured getting them caught in wheel! Get there early to get bike set up, don't expect or try to keep up, take it steady and just aim to keep pedalling, worry about gears etc after a few classes. Some people don't enjoy but you need to go a few times to get into the rhythm. Hope you enjoy .....0
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Happy New Year all!
I've posted on here before about swimming for a bad knee, but with the weather dipping below freezing, the thought of leaving the gym/pool with wet hair makes all of my excuses seem valid.
So I thought I'd try some of the spin classes that LifeTime offers, but I'm terrified. They seem crazy intense and I'm not sure that I'll be able to keep up.
Do you guys have any tips?
Do I need cycle shoes/butt pads/any gear?
Is it okay to walk out if you can't keep up?
My gym has monthly "Intro to cycle classes" that teach you how to set up your bike but the next one isn't for another two weeks, and I figure that yall might have just about as much insight as one of the instructors.
It's like any other group class...you go at your pace and you will improve with time. When I started spin, I had some difficulty with standing climbs initially...so I would do what I could standing and then sit and release a little tension, but I was still climbing. My favorite instructor always says before class, "Remember...this is your ride and nobody else's."
I do wear cycling shorts for spin, but I'm also an avid road cyclist, so I have many pairs anyway. Same for shoes...I use my mountain bike shoes for spin.
As it has been noted, cycling shorts are best worn commando...underwear can cause all kinds of unpleasantness under cycling shorts.
Spin classes are a lot of fun...they're the only group classes that I enjoy.0 -
I'm so late to the party, but I love spin and got really into it a few years back (twice a day, five days a week). If you are going to eat, do it at least an hour before you get on the bike. Food will sit like cement in your tummy as soon as you start working hard. Also, take lots of water with you, and a small towel to wipe your face. If it's your first time, make sure to tell the instructor so that they can help you optimize your bike for good posture. Push hard and smile, it feels so good once you get going, and you will feel soo good afterwards. If you are going to get into it, I suggest listening to others here and getting clipless/SPD shoes. They are a real game changer and you feel a huge difference in your performance and stamina.
Have fun! Spin is a blast, and the classes are always supportive and positive.1 -
MelkaBielka wrote: »I'm so late to the party, but I love spin and got really into it a few years back (twice a day, five days a week). If you are going to eat, do it at least an hour before you get on the bike. Food will sit like cement in your tummy as soon as you start working hard. Also, take lots of water with you, and a small towel to wipe your face. If it's your first time, make sure to tell the instructor so that they can help you optimize your bike for good posture. Push hard and smile, it feels so good once you get going, and you will feel soo good afterwards. If you are going to get into it, I suggest listening to others here and getting clipless/SPD shoes. They are a real game changer and you feel a huge difference in your performance and stamina.
Have fun! Spin is a blast, and the classes are always supportive and positive.
Not late to the game at all! I ended up coming down with the dreaded flu that's been going around so haven't actually been to a class yet. Going tomorrow, nervous as all get out!
LOVED all of the answers on here, and have really appreciated everyone reaching out and giving advice.2 -
MelkaBielka wrote: »I'm so late to the party, but I love spin and got really into it a few years back (twice a day, five days a week). If you are going to eat, do it at least an hour before you get on the bike. Food will sit like cement in your tummy as soon as you start working hard. Also, take lots of water with you, and a small towel to wipe your face. If it's your first time, make sure to tell the instructor so that they can help you optimize your bike for good posture. Push hard and smile, it feels so good once you get going, and you will feel soo good afterwards. If you are going to get into it, I suggest listening to others here and getting clipless/SPD shoes. They are a real game changer and you feel a huge difference in your performance and stamina.
Have fun! Spin is a blast, and the classes are always supportive and positive.
Not late to the game at all! I ended up coming down with the dreaded flu that's been going around so haven't actually been to a class yet. Going tomorrow, nervous as all get out!
LOVED all of the answers on here, and have really appreciated everyone reaching out and giving advice.
We'll want a post-class review as payback: You know this, right?
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MelkaBielka wrote: »I'm so late to the party, but I love spin and got really into it a few years back (twice a day, five days a week). If you are going to eat, do it at least an hour before you get on the bike. Food will sit like cement in your tummy as soon as you start working hard. Also, take lots of water with you, and a small towel to wipe your face. If it's your first time, make sure to tell the instructor so that they can help you optimize your bike for good posture. Push hard and smile, it feels so good once you get going, and you will feel soo good afterwards. If you are going to get into it, I suggest listening to others here and getting clipless/SPD shoes. They are a real game changer and you feel a huge difference in your performance and stamina.
Have fun! Spin is a blast, and the classes are always supportive and positive.
Not late to the game at all! I ended up coming down with the dreaded flu that's been going around so haven't actually been to a class yet. Going tomorrow, nervous as all get out!
LOVED all of the answers on here, and have really appreciated everyone reaching out and giving advice.
We'll want a post-class review as payback: You know this, right?
So... update. I kept chickening out but finally made it to class aaaaand forgot my tennis shoes at home. Thinking that it would be fine, I went in wearing chuck Taylors and I honestly don't know if my feet ever hurt more.
On the plus side, the class itself was a lot of fun and I'm definitely going back again! I didn't feel judged at all, even when I couldn't keep up, and I just regret not going sooner!
Thank you all for your help!3 -
MelkaBielka wrote: »I'm so late to the party, but I love spin and got really into it a few years back (twice a day, five days a week). If you are going to eat, do it at least an hour before you get on the bike. Food will sit like cement in your tummy as soon as you start working hard. Also, take lots of water with you, and a small towel to wipe your face. If it's your first time, make sure to tell the instructor so that they can help you optimize your bike for good posture. Push hard and smile, it feels so good once you get going, and you will feel soo good afterwards. If you are going to get into it, I suggest listening to others here and getting clipless/SPD shoes. They are a real game changer and you feel a huge difference in your performance and stamina.
Have fun! Spin is a blast, and the classes are always supportive and positive.
Not late to the game at all! I ended up coming down with the dreaded flu that's been going around so haven't actually been to a class yet. Going tomorrow, nervous as all get out!
LOVED all of the answers on here, and have really appreciated everyone reaching out and giving advice.
We'll want a post-class review as payback: You know this, right?
So... update. I kept chickening out but finally made it to class aaaaand forgot my tennis shoes at home. Thinking that it would be fine, I went in wearing chuck Taylors and I honestly don't know if my feet ever hurt more.
On the plus side, the class itself was a lot of fun and I'm definitely going back again! I didn't feel judged at all, even when I couldn't keep up, and I just regret not going sooner!
Thank you all for your help!
Hooray! (Except the feet part, of course - which should be easily remedied.) Thanks for taking the time to let us know! 0 -
Thanks for posting this question. I too have wanted to go to a class for a long time, but have been intimidated. Lots of good suggestions from everyone - thanks to those as well. Last time I was in the gym, I asked the girl at the counter when the least busy time was so that I could go then, but she didn't know. Part of my intimidation is from the one time I went about 3 years ago and everyone had dibs on their usual bike and seemed to resent an outsider coming into their group. That feeling is hard to get over to see if another group would be more accepting, but I'm still going to try one of these days.0
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My gym is currently putting in an online system where you can reserve your bike ahead of time and it will have your name on the roster when you walk in. Maybe yours is doing that too, so you won't have to worry about "taking" someone else's bike @Debster634!
Update 2.0: now that it's been several hours, my sit area is really starting to flare up. I don't even know how to describe it -- it's like really bad DOMS but where you sit!
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My gym is currently putting in an online system where you can reserve your bike ahead of time and it will have your name on the roster when you walk in. Maybe yours is doing that too, so you won't have to worry about "taking" someone else's bike @Debster634!
Update 2.0: now that it's been several hours, my sit area is really starting to flare up. I don't even know how to describe it -- it's like really bad DOMS but where you sit!
Believe it or not, the lady-to-butt zone toughens up with spinning time and persistence. There are no side effects of this toughening on . . . other lifestyle activities. Padded bike shorts or a gel seat cover help a little. In case you don't know: No undies with those bike shorts.2 -
Debster634 wrote: »Thanks for posting this question. I too have wanted to go to a class for a long time, but have been intimidated. Lots of good suggestions from everyone - thanks to those as well. Last time I was in the gym, I asked the girl at the counter when the least busy time was so that I could go then, but she didn't know. Part of my intimidation is from the one time I went about 3 years ago and everyone had dibs on their usual bike and seemed to resent an outsider coming into their group. That feeling is hard to get over to see if another group would be more accepting, but I'm still going to try one of these days.
Arrive early, ask instructor if there's some specific bike that's usually free?
Absent that, pick one (front row often less popular in my classes), and know that helping others vary their routine helps them develop mental flexibility. (Snooze lose, first come first served, early bird gets worm, all that stuff). 2 -
My gym is currently putting in an online system where you can reserve your bike ahead of time and it will have your name on the roster when you walk in. Maybe yours is doing that too, so you won't have to worry about "taking" someone else's bike @Debster634!
Update 2.0: now that it's been several hours, my sit area is really starting to flare up. I don't even know how to describe it -- it's like really bad DOMS but where you sit!
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Thanks for the suggestions. I'll check it out.0
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