Is Spinning better than Running

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  • Bankman1989
    Bankman1989 Posts: 1,116 Member
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    I depends on your weight and also what you are doing in the class. My claases involve squats ON the bike as well as push-ups (between 350-500 per class) ON the bike. A 220 pound person going the same speed and doing the same movements as a 110 pound person will burn twice as many calories.

    As a teacher I notice that my students dont go as hard for the full 60 seconds especially during SQUATS AND PUSHUPS..LOL. Ialso have to get them to climb ALL the way up the hill.
  • Ruthaw1961
    Ruthaw1961 Posts: 42 Member
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    Just sayin'...
    http://www.spinning.com/en/file/download/tinymce_file_browser/99/Keep_it_Safe.pdf
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
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    I always wonder how others seem to have this huge (1000 cal +) burn during a spin class. I work hard when I go to spin class, but I'd say on average I burn about 450-500 cal. during an hour class. I really don't think that others are working that much harder in order to burn TWICE the amount of calories, or more. Any explanation?

    Often the numbers are overestimated due to a combination of thermal stress and imprroper HRM setup.
  • Aperture_Science
    Aperture_Science Posts: 840 Member
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    IMHO The best form of exercise is one which you enjoy, you can do properly and fits in with your lifestyle.

    Arguing the details over calorific burn, muscle gain, muscle wastage, potential injuries etc is largely a waste of time. If you have an exercise that you enjoy, stick with it. If you have an exercise program that you dislike change it until you find something that you do enjoy. If you don't currently exercise, pick something you think you might enjoy and get out there and do it.
  • Aquaduckie
    Aquaduckie Posts: 115
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    Totally agree with you, I can burn 425 cals in my AM spinning class which is only 45 mins long... this includes warm up and cool down!

    Based on that running is definitely superior - I burned 878 cal last Thursday in 57:46.78 minutes running (not including the warm up & cool down) :laugh: :laugh:

    I typically burn 1200 or so teaching a 60 minute class.

    I do spinning 4 to 5 times a week - MFP gives me 429 cal for 60 min -???

    It can depend on your weight and your fitness level. Everyone burns different calories for various activities. A good heart rate monitor is a good investment for keeping track of calories burned. They're pretty accurate.
  • Jenjaz1910
    Jenjaz1910 Posts: 447 Member
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    Never actually done spinning BUT I have achillis tendonitis (sp) and dodgy knees, was diagnosed with some fancy *kitten* named injury when I was 13 that women athletes in their 30/s have?!?! I was very athletic and sporty as a youngster, ran for school, town and county until my knees couldn't take it anymore! I was told by specialist to cycle instead, as there isn't as much impact! I am trying to find a spinning calss near me that is NOT booked up. I still "ocassionally" run but it does take it out of my knees and ankles :( esp when I was playing hockey x
  • maryjaquiss
    maryjaquiss Posts: 307 Member
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    I'd go for running every time - you don't have to get to the gym and you're outdoors instead of smelling other people's sweaty gym kit and breathing stale air conditioned air! I'm not a very confident cyclist, either, which makes getting out on the bike less appealing than getting on my running shoes :smile:
  • Dragonfly1996
    Dragonfly1996 Posts: 196 Member
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    IMHO The best form of exercise is one which you enjoy, you can do properly and fits in with your lifestyle.

    Arguing the details over calorific burn, muscle gain, muscle wastage, potential injuries etc is largely a waste of time. If you have an exercise that you enjoy, stick with it. If you have an exercise program that you dislike change it until you find something that you do enjoy. If you don't currently exercise, pick something you think you might enjoy and get out there and do it.

    ^^^ this otherwise u won't stick to it!!

    I actually really rate spinning, cycling & running - love them all!!! :flowerforyou:
  • Jg2005
    Jg2005 Posts: 1
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    My spin instructor makes it her goal to burn 1000 calories every class. Other people who wear hrm to class get estimates from 700-1000, usually. I log it as vigorous stationary biking because the spin choice only puts it at 425 or so.

    I prefer spinning because I have knee issues and running 3-4 times a week wears me down pretty fast.
  • getfitdiva
    getfitdiva Posts: 1,148 Member
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    I think whichever exercise you love to do is better! With that being said I enjoy spinning over running. Although I think you can slim down quicker w/ running but when you are fit your body gets more efficient with all that cardio. Either way I think a mix of cardio + strength training is the best combination. Do what you will stick to to get results! :wink:
  • aj_31
    aj_31 Posts: 999 Member
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    I like both of them. I love spinning if I have a good spin instructor. Some of them are boring and just don't give you that extra push. I switched gyms a few months ago and haven't tried any of the spin classes at my current gym yet. If I run I like to run outside otherwise I get bored out of my mind on the treadmill.

    Normal spin class I think I burn anywhere from 450-700 depending on the class. 30 min of running usually around 400-500 cals.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
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    In laboratory maximal aerobic tests, VO2 max levels reached during cycling average less than those achieved during running -- by an average of 10% or so. This is largely due to the smaller amount of muscle mass involved with cycling and the higher relative resistance which can lead to localized muscle fatigue. From a purely academic standpoint, running is a slightly better aerobic stimulus and has a higher rate of calorie burn. However, in the real world, there are other factors that can render the differences moot.

    From a practical standpoint, those difference are less significant. For one, most people do not come close to reaching 100% of their genetic potential, so someone who cycles a lot and does not run much will equal or even exceed the intensity levels they reach during running. That is because of the principle of training specificity.

    Two--cycling involves little eccentric contraction and impact, where running has lots of both. So it is possible for most people, with training, to cycle longer and more often than run. So even if running does burn a few higher calories per minute, most people can cycle longer and do it more often, so they can make up the calorie difference and ever exceed it.

    To get these benefits, one must train at cycling, not only to build up the muscle strength and endurance to push enough watts, but to perfect one's form in order to work harder and more efficient. Assuming one has the appropriate fitness level to do both, It takes longer to become a good cyclist than it does a good runner. Again, this is not a big deal over the long term.

    One thing about spinning claims--the calorie burn claims are often inflated. One, because of the thermal stress of being packed in a hot room with other working bodies; the other is many people do not have their HRMs set up properly.

    Just an example: in order to burn 1000 calories in a hour in a spin class, one would not only have to average 250 watts of power for the entire 60 minutes, one would also have to weigh more than 175 lbs. It's not impossible, and certainly top cyclists can achieve that level, but the average person in a spin class is likely not going to come close to that number, nor is the average instructor (not is he or she is teaching a lot).

    I am just providing the physiological facts for those who are interested. Ultimately, there is no need to assert that one type of exercise is "better" than the other. The variables of personal motivation and personal preference are strong enough to eliminate any laboratory differences between the activities.
  • GreenTeaForDays
    GreenTeaForDays Posts: 166 Member
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    I'm a big advocate of diversity. I like to run, cycle, hike, swim, practice yoga, etc. Running is probably the most efficient calorie burner for me but I love that cycling allows me to travel more ground and see more things. I also love group exercise classes, so biking has that advantage as well.

    I :heart: it all.
  • penrbrown
    penrbrown Posts: 2,685 Member
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    Spinning hurts my knees like HECK. Plus... it's kinda boring to be stuck inside a building while peddling away while in pain.

    I prefer running. It doesn't hurt my knees. It gets me outside. It feels FANTASTIC (I am always drenched in sweat when I'm done). Not boring at all. :)
  • mariotenuta
    mariotenuta Posts: 2
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    I just started spinning classes and I use my polar watch . Believe it or not my first class I burned 436 calories in 30 minutes and yesterday 577 in 30 minutes. I usually would get 600 in an hour with Zumba. So I am very happy with the results of spinning.
  • jmeddows87
    jmeddows87 Posts: 23 Member
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    I LOVE spinning. Running I find very hard and Ive never quite been able to get my breathing right which I believe is my downfall.

    I burnt 552 calories in 50 mins yesterday, tracking using my Polar HRM.
  • ahamm002
    ahamm002 Posts: 1,690 Member
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    http://www.livestrong.com/article/447738-is-spinning-better-than-running/

    I say yes..lol..but i am biased as a Certified Spin Instructor. Some people love to run and I don't have a problem with that. Spinning and cycling (outdoors) are my fitness loves.

    It comes down to whichever your prefer. Spinning classes usually involve both high intensity intervals and endurance, which is great! But you could do the same thing with running. And if you're young and healthy, sprint intervals and hill sprints are some of the best exercises that exist. Also, being able to just step outside on a nice day and go for a jog is super convenient and quite pleasant.
  • Naturally_sassy0525
    Naturally_sassy0525 Posts: 134 Member
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    I love spinning!!! When I take the class my heart is definitly pumping harder then when I run.

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