SPINNING - How bad?!

Get there a bit early. Make sure the instructor knows you are a first timer. He or she should spend a few minutes with you going over the setup and making you comfortable.

I went for the first time last week and really enjoyed it, Thought it would be alot worse than it was.

I do agree, get there a bit earlier and makes ure the insturctor knows this is your first time.

I love spin. Yes, it's hard, but isn't that the point? I've improved my fitness so much by going to spin classes......what was once extremely difficult is now much easier.

They don't "lock" you into the bike! You do have straps on your feet, but they are necessary to keep your feet from flying off the pedals. Show up early and talk to the instructor. Most (good) instructors will simply provide encouragement to do your best the first several classes. They shouldn't start pushing you to improve your performance until they know you and what you are capable of.

Edit to say that you will probably be pretty sore for a couple of days afterwards (especially in your lady areas!). Make sure to do plenty of stretching and go for a walk or something light the day or two after class......movement will help ease the pain. And after a few classes, you won't have the discomfort from the seat anymore.

It's a great workout! It can get pretty intense.. just make sure to take breaks and stay hydrated when you need to. Also, most instructors at my gym are very reasonable. I always try to keep up with their pace/instruction, but from time-to-time I'll lower my resistance level or pedal at a slower pace to catch my breath. It's certainly worth trying at least once! Also note that at least at my gym, there are some instructors that I REALLY like and some that I really dislike (I can't stay motivated and peddle quickly to a slow Linkin' Park song.. SHEESH!). So, it may even be worth trying it a few times with different instructors to find one you like.

The great thing about spinning is that you can set the resistance for your own fitness level. The more you go and the fitter you get, the more you turn up the resistance. Get ready to be a bit sore in the old gluteus maximus after your first sesssion, but it will soon go.

I attempted using a spin bike at a friends house and thought I was going to kill myself. lol

But I do think it has a learning curve. Your feet do get locked in and if you are use to street bikes it might be bad on your knees (which was my problem, I kept trying to take my foot off of the peddle). With that said I think it is just something to get use to. They have bike pads for the seat if that makes your butt sore. I've been told that it does. Honestly I only did it for about a half hour and it wasn't in a class, just with my friends pointers. My butt was fine the next day, but I do ride a street bike often, so that could be part of it.

Trying something never hurts, you never know what YOU will like until you do it.

I once said I would never do a spin class, several months later tried my first, then my 2nd till I was going regularly 3 x a week

Love it now and its a great cardio/resistence type exercise

1st one is always a killer in any new high energy class

Go, you will be fine.

I went to a class once about a month ago, little old me which burns about 600 cals per hour RUNNING burnt 1000 cals in 45 minutes!!

think that shows how it is
make sure to get the teacher to show you how to set the bike up properly though or those things can be so uncomfortable.

Love Spin!!

Thoroughly recommend it - yes, it's crazy the first time and you'll have a numb bum.

Plus there's always a crazy person in the class who keeps up with the instructor or beats them. Don't try to copy them, take it at your own pace (PS - I am now that crazy person!!!). You'll be shattered after but its a great feeling.

Make sure you take a towel and water coz you'll need them.

Best exercise I ever did spinning. I miss it loads and can't wait to get back into the classes.

Try it and post to let us know what you thought.

I love spinning! I was hooked on my first class! I guess a lot of it depends on who leads the class. The lady who does our class is a great motivator, very encouraging and tells newbies up front that they determine how much they put into the exercise. Now after you've been around a couple of classes she will call you out if you don't like you are doing enough though!
I say try it. I burned almost 600 calories in 45 minutes last night at our spin class.

The important thing is for the first few times, don't feel you need to keep up with the class. It's okay to take a rest during the class by just backing off, having a drink and letting your legs and lungs recover.

Also, this is an anerobic workout so great for your cardio, not so great for fat burning. I would also limit the number of classes to 2X per week and never two days in a row. Mix it in with other cardio if you need more but don't overdue it.

A strong core is a BIG asset when spinning because you are spending so much time out of the saddle and also doing jumps (in and out of the saddle).

Finally, if you stick with it, I would strongly recommend cycling shoes and a good pair of shorts. A heart rate monitor is also very useful to help you to push when you need to.

I've been spinning for years and although I much prefer to just get out on my bike for a ride but this is VERY different. It is really an interval workout with a like-minded group of people, set to (usually) some good tunes. Good luck!

I've noticed that a bunch of people are saying that their knees hurt while spinning.

My knees used to bug me until I figured out the perfect bike setup for me (it took like 4 classes to get the settings to somewhat resemble the geometry of my road bike...) Now, my knees AND my girl-bits are used to the erm, impact. =P

I now go religiously 3 times a week and its my cardio of choice during lifting days (I get on a spinning bike to top-off after a lifting session)...

Drink lots of fluid beforehand. You will sweat.

You set your own pace and resistance, so be honest with yourself about your own ability. Take water. And wear padded shorts!

I spin every week and love it. It is only as hard as you make it. If you dial up the resistance you will obviously work harder and your body will get used to spinning as it does with any other exercise.

I love spinning so much (and it is such a good calorie burn) that I actually look forward to my class each week!!

Take your time and ease yourself into it. You know what you can and can not do. Listen to your body!

Enjoy!!