Spinning

iRun4wine · October 2009

Went to my first ever spinning class tonight... still not sure if I liked it or not :laugh:

The instructor had us stand up and pedal for part of it, and I just couldn't do it- my knees kept locking! I'm wondering if I was doing something wrong, or if my seat was adjusted incorrectly? Maybe it should have been higher?

Also, my butt was getting SO sore. By the end I could barely even move to get off the bike.

Anyone have any tips or pointers? I burned about 275 calories and it was a 45 minute class, but I admit that I probably could have done better- I actually got a little bored with it:blushing: I know SO many people absolutely rave about Spinning, so I was hoping to be more impressed with it.

Thanks :flowerforyou:

Zara11 · October 2009

Gel seats, I heard, makes life that much less painful!

iRun4wine · October 2009

Gel seats, I heard, makes life that much less painful!

Would I bring my own each time I go and attach it to the bike? :huh:

LittleSpy · October 2009

You're butt is just going to hurt the first several times. But the good news is that you really will get used to the seat & it won't hurt anymore.

MollySue30 · October 2009

I have taken a spinning class before and pretty much worked at my own pace...I did most of the moves with the instructor and yes my butt did hurt after wards but it does get better.......

lotusfromthemud · October 2009

whenever you're off the seat, you need to turn up the resistance. . .so you have something to stand on.

Many instructors regrettably don't tell you to do this. . .but it's really important to do this in order to protect your knees.

The gel seat are good for some, but your backside really does get used to the seat after a few classes.

Resistance is your friend, speed is what a lot of people do, but the workout really comes from the resistance. :flowerforyou:

iRun4wine · October 2009

Thanks, everyone. I'll try it again relatively soon. Just felt like an un-athletic fool when people twice my age were keeping up with no problem and I stopped standing up because my knees just weren't cooperating. Thanks for the info! :flowerforyou:

tayner · October 2009

Spinning... I love spinning

I started spinning about 6 months ago, routinely.. it is really all the cardio I get (I do weights too, but for cardio I spin mostly)

It took me 2 weeks for the butt soreness to completely go away, but I was going to 4-5 classes a week, so not giving my butt much recovery time. Gel seats help some, but time is your friend.. it will stop hurting, although it doesnt seem like it now

When you stand up you have to have enough resistance to support your body weight. When you get enough your knees will not buckle. How much you need depends on how much you weigh... it doesnt have to be really hard, just enough to be comfortable.. play with it...

and my biggest piece of advice... try different instructors... I have done MANY classes with many different instructors.. some I love, some not so much. Some have great music, some.. not so much. There are some instructors I think.. man, im never coming back to THAT class... and others I think... I am never missing THAT class.... dont give up after 1 class... test out a few, instructors and music have ALOT to do with how fun it is...

also, if you dont have a HRM think about investing in one... the key isnt speed... the key is keeping your HR in the zone (i keep mine 65-80%). When i first started I hardly had to move on the bike and I was in that zone.. but the more I do it the more I have to work, harder and harder, to maintain my hr in the aerobic zone....

Good luck to you!

lotusfromthemud · October 2009

Thanks, everyone. I'll try it again relatively soon. Just felt like an un-athletic fool when people twice my age were keeping up with no problem and I stopped standing up because my knees just weren't cooperating. Thanks for the info! :flowerforyou:

Don't worry. . .everybody there remembers their first class. . .when they felt the same way!

I literally thought I would die during my first class.

Tamishumate · October 2009

agree with above poster, it really depends on the instructor, and you are in control of your own resistance , meaning, you are in control of your own workout, and how much you get out of it. I burn about 500 calories in 1 hour of spinning. Gel seat cover, $10.00 at target . best investment, your butt still hurts, but not as much. Do it again try another teacher, get the seat cover, throw it in your gym bag so you always have it with you, it is a great workout if you up the resistance!:flowerforyou:
PS, How is your running going??

Go RED SOX!:drinker:

iRun4wine · October 2009

agree with above poster, it really depends on the instructor, and you are in control of your own resistance , meaning, you are in control of your own workout, and how much you get out of it. I burn about 500 calories in 1 hour of spinning. Gel seat cover, $10.00 at target . best investment, your butt still hurts, but not as much. Do it again try another teacher, get the seat cover, throw it in your gym bag so you always have it with you, it is a great workout if you up the resistance!:flowerforyou:
PS, How is your running going??

Go RED SOX!:drinker:

Unfortunately, it's a small gym and I think she's the only instructor :ohwell: I will try it again, but it was pretty embarrassing... and I don't consider myself unathletic!

The running is going SO well :bigsmile: ... MUCH better than Spinning :laugh: I just started the One Hour Runner program and I'll be running a 5 miler in November 3 days before my birthday.

And yes... GOOOOOO RED SOX. We were at Fenway a few weeks back for the come back walk-off win :drinker:

Azdak · October 2009

Thanks, everyone. I'll try it again relatively soon. Just felt like an un-athletic fool when people twice my age were keeping up with no problem and I stopped standing up because my knees just weren't cooperating. Thanks for the info! :flowerforyou:

All training is activity specific. As a beginner, you are going to lag behind experienced participants in a spin class--the same would most likely also be true for a kickboxing class, etc.

As someone else said--go at your own pace at first. It takes a while to build up the necessary leg muscle endurance to cycle effectively--longer than an elliptical or treadmill, for example. (That is, of course, if you enjoy the class).

July · October 2009

Don't give up because you're bored yet - all the instructors are different. Some do routines, some have you go really, really fast, and some are very creative. I NEVER thought I would like spinning, but after hearing about the importance of interval training, I gave it a try, and now I've recruited my husband and two friends!

iRun4wine · October 2009

Thanks for the pointers, guys. I will certainly try it again. I don't think there are any other instructors at the gym that teach it- I think the one that taught yesterday's class is the only one. I will give it another shot next week and report back!

LADOGMOM · October 2009

I love to spin...It is about the only kind of exercise that I really enjoy...I especially like that the room is dark and the music is loud...

I also like that the time goes by so fast..

If you didn't do this at your first class - go a few minutes early and get the instructor to help you set up your bike so it is set correctly for your body...

Seat position and handle bar height are very important to help keep your knees and your neck and back safe...A qualified instructor should be able to do this for you very quickly...And once you get it - you can set it up yourself each class.

As someone pointed out - you must have some resistance on your bike when you stand up....Very important...

And keep in mind that your butt shouldn't be on the seat when you are sitting down...If you are using correct form you will slide back to where a little bit of your bottom is off of the seat in the back...

A gel seat cover is worth your investment...

Spinning

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