Has anyone had success due to spinning classes?

what about zumba? has anyone tried it?

Spin class is great! Did it for a few months, loved the feeling after it. It was an awesome workout. Whatever level you're at I'd say go, if you're tired and it's a lot, just slow down a bit.

Yes I have been taking spin classes for like 8 years. It takes time for your behind to get used to the seat. It will hurt from the
seat. I recommend getting a padded seat at a walmart or wherever you can get a bicycle gel seat. If you really get into it
You can burn up to 800 calories in an hour.

So do they allow you to change the seat on the bike before the class? I have been thinking about joining the class at my gym.

Spin class is a lot of fun! It doesn't hurt to try it out if you are curious. If its too much, get your fitness level up by walking or the elliptical. Give it a month or two and then try it again. You will be amazed by how quickly your body can adapt to physical activity.

Is it true that with spinning classes,your legs get bulky though? I wanna try a spinning class but I don't want my leg muscles to get any bigger. Also, my knees get sore rather easy at times- would spinning be okay for them ?

Is it true that with spinning classes,your legs get bulky though? I wanna try a spinning class but I don't want my leg muscles to get any bigger. Also, my knees get sore rather easy at times- would spinning be okay for them ?

Hard spinning class is going to use up some intra-muscular fat for energy besides regular fat stores, but usually it's so intense, mainly carb burning.
You won't get bulky unless you crank down on the tension and pedal like 20 rpm, pushing like a mad woman.

Confirm the instructor helps setup the bike geometry first to confirm no knee problems.

Since you are engaging more muscles, great on the knees.

I am so confused then.... The past 2 times I've gone to spin, I've worked my butt off... Totally kept up with the instructors, dripped sweat from places I didn't know produced sweat, and I have gotten <300 calories burned each time (1 hour class). My armband monitor is fantastic with every other form of exercise, but not this one. Not sure if it's my armband, or if something is wrong?

Also, I've been to some spin classes where you are out of the seat more, but my instructor today said to stay in it more. Which is better?

Staying in the saddle burns more calories - see my explanation above on watts. (I'm an instructor).

As for your calorie burn; it varies according to your effort. Remember -- what feels like a Herculean effort in the first few classes will not feel that way in future classes; ha.

As you get used to it you will be become more efficient and you will be able to work harder (if you choose).

Basically, calories is burned is a function of your RMR x METs. The larger the person, the more calories they will burn, and the harder the person works the more calories they will burn. HOWEVER, perceived exertion is not the same as actual exertion.

As an example, I have people in my classes who cannot exceed 150 watts for a class while others can easily exceed 250. Both people perceive that they have worked very hard. In reality, the person working at the higher watts has put forth more effort. Watts is converted to METs then multiplied by the person's RMR/12 to calculate calories burned, therefore if a 200 lb person and 100 lb person each work the same watts, the 200 lb. person will still burn more calories. Again, there is a link to the formula in my post above if you're interested.

blessings.

Is it true that with spinning classes,your legs get bulky though? I wanna try a spinning class but I don't want my leg muscles to get any bigger. Also, my knees get sore rather easy at times- would spinning be okay for them ?

Hard spinning class is going to use up some intra-muscular fat for energy besides regular fat stores, but usually it's so intense, mainly carb burning.
You won't get bulky unless you crank down on the tension and pedal like 20 rpm, pushing like a mad woman.

Confirm the instructor helps setup the bike geometry first to confirm no knee problems.

Since you are engaging more muscles, great on the knees.

YOU WILL NOT GET BULKY NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO IN SPIN.

In fact if you put the tension down, and pedaled faster, you would be going anaerobic and that would in fact burn muscle, not add muscle.

You cannot add muscle by doing intense cardio activity. Cardio does not build muscle.

Even if you lift heavy, it is hard to get bulky. Why do you think guys cheat and take steroids? Because they can't bulk naturally, even with their testosterone and best efforts,

I wouldn't worry about bulking until you get to 300# squats . . .

Is it true that with spinning classes,your legs get bulky though? I wanna try a spinning class but I don't want my leg muscles to get any bigger. Also, my knees get sore rather easy at times- would spinning be okay for them ?

Um . . . no.

I've been an instructor for 8 years, so you can trust me.

BTW -- lifting heavy won't make you bulky either.

I only asked because someone who I was in the gym with mentioned how after she did spinning for six months, her legs got bulkier and bigger; therefore she had to go up a pant size even though she lost weight .. Thanks for the info!

Also, do you remeccomend talking to the instructor about my knees problems and if there is something different I should do during spin, or just give it a shot *

Regarding the woman at the gym; I am skeptical. Perhaps she is a genetic outlier. Perhaps she's unaware of how much she eats. I've never seen a serious cyclist (think people riding Tour de France) with bulky . . . . anything. Have you? Certainly those people spend a lot of time cycling . . .

Regarding your knees, pinning is non-impact on the knees, so you should do fine. I personally have had chondromalacia since the age of 11 and spinning and cycling are activities that I choose because they are good for my knees. You would also find that rehab for knee injuries is exercise on a stationary bike.

That being said, I would warn against standing on the spin bike with low resistance, not because of impact, but because you would lose control and possibly have some lateral movement that could hurt them.

Of course it never hurts to explain your situation to an instructor, and of course, if something hurts, don't do it.

blessings.