Commuting - Spinning class .. WOT

My gym recently announced it's removing racquetball courts in favor of enlarging its spinning class space. What a waste .. why do people drive to a gym, ride on stationary bike (yawn), and then drive home? Why not just bike to wherever and save the time?

-20 degrees with a 50 mph straight wind would be one reason.

But most of the time I would agree with you. I'd rather just ride my real bike.

Spin classes can be fun in their own way. However, remove racquetball courts? *scratches head*

Spinning is exercise. Biking is transportation. Not the same thing.

My gym recently announced it's removing racquetball courts in favor of enlarging its spinning class space. What a waste .. why do people drive to a gym, ride on stationary bike (yawn), and then drive home? Why not just bike to wherever and save the time?

Because they want to?

The same reason you feel compelled to criticize said people I suppose. Obviously spinning is important to their members. The largest class I've ever seen would have fit in a single racquetball court.

I have a 40-mile round trip commute to work. From September - April it's too dark to ride safely (I have plenty of lights, but the cars still don't see me very well). Spin class at least lets me get some cycling in during the work week.

I also teach spin class and over half of the people in my class are not cyclists. They just use the class for exercise.

Why do they have to "remove" the courts? Just put some stationary bikes in there.

why do you care?

I have a 40-mile round trip commute to work. From September - April it's too dark to ride safely (I have plenty of lights, but the cars still don't see me very well). Spin class at least lets me get some cycling in during the work week.

I also teach spin class and over half of the people in my class are not cyclists. They just use the class for exercise.

Do you wear a suit reminiscent of the one in your avatar? If so I am heading to CA for my next spin class. :D

Why do they have to "remove" the courts? Just put some stationary bikes in there.

Yeah, that's actually the main part of my beef ... there's a spinning breed that want the "environment". I.e. lighting, music, etc. And, it seems to be growing. I guess I expected that with the growth of commuting and sport biking, the indoor spinning classes would become less popular. This is probably why I don't own a gym.

The issue as mentioned before is that spinners and cyclists are not one and the same. Sure there is overlap. Perhaps the issue is that spinning brings in more money and racquetball is not as popular.

Just another health fad. However, if health clubs didn't cater to the fads, they wouldn't be in business.

They will sell a lot more memberships if people see 50 bikes lined up with strobe lights and a surround sound system than a racquetball court that smells like moldy gym socks.

Spinning is exercise. Biking is transportation. Not the same thing.

Biking FOR transportation IS exercise too. Enough exercise that I don't have to do any other kind of exercise, unless I want to.

Because they want to?

The same reason you feel compelled to criticize said people I suppose. Obviously spinning is important to their members. The largest class I've ever seen would have fit in a single racquetball court.


Not trying to criticize, trying to evangelize! What reasons do most people bike-commute?
1. Exercise
2. Be "Green"
3. Save time/money
4. They like it
5. One or more of the above

Spinning covers and reverses a few of those. If the Spinners started biking, they'd get the benefits. And I'd get to play racquetball ;)

It doesn't even cross most people's mind to use a bike as transportation. Preaching to the BF choir isn't going to change anything. You have to tell people who aren't doing it.

What makes you think that someone in a spin class will be converted?
Riding a bike <> a spin class

Not trying to criticize, trying to evangelize! What reasons do most people bike-commute?
1. Exercise
2. Be "Green"
3. Save time/money
4. They like it
5. One or more of the above

Spinning covers and reverses a few of those. If the Spinners started biking, they'd get the benefits. And I'd get to play racquetball ;)

I don't spin but I imagine spinners look at it like this. Spinning advantages:

1. Don't have to deal with traffic
2. Don't have to deal with bike maintenance.
3. Don't have to worry about a flat tire.
4. Has someone there providing the motivation and direction (a coach if you will).
5. Much cheaper in the short run vs. buying a bike + all the necessary accessories (helmets, lights, pumps, etc.).

Yeah, that's actually the main part of my beef ... there's a spinning breed that want the "environment". I.e. lighting, music, etc. And, it seems to be growing. I guess I expected that with the growth of commuting and sport biking, the indoor spinning classes would become less popular. This is probably why I don't own a gym.

Hey, you never know... perhaps these "spinners" will realize there is a whole exciting ready built "environment" out just waiting for them to explore.

Now wouldn't that be a hoot!

I would also add that it's a good way to really put your head down and hammer without having to worry about getting run over or run off the road. When I had a gym that had spinning it was a great way to get 30 minutes of intervals in with the added benefit of group pressure and a coach to kick my butt. Plus, like most classes at the gym, it was mostly women which was a nice change from my normal group ride. I don't see why it has to be an either/or issue, the reasons people commute are probably completely separate from why they enjoy a spinning class.

Riding a bike <> a spin class
+1

Two completely different "sports".

I don't spin but I imagine spinners look at it like this. Spinning advantages:

1. Don't have to deal with traffic
2. Don't have to deal with bike maintenance.
3. Don't have to worry about a flat tire.
4. Has someone there providing the motivation and direction (a coach if you will).
5. Much cheaper in the short run vs. buying a bike + all the necessary accessories (helmets, lights, pumps, etc.).


As someone who used to spend a lot of time in spin class, I suspect that many attendees don't really think of spin as riding a bike.

"It's Monday. Am I going to go to the 6pm spin class, or the 7pm pilates class?"

There was one gym that attracted a number of roadies. For many of them, they weren't willing to get on an actual bike unless they had several hours to ride. Spin class was their alternative when they didn't have time to ride. Sounds odd, I know, but these are people who ride a bike for a very specific reason, which does not include transportation. In fact, a fairly high percentage seem quite scared of cars and simply will not ride in town.

-------

I've often thought about the odd business model of a gym. You want to attract customers, but don't really care if they attend.

I do a weekend spin class when it's icy, snowy, slushy, and very cold outside in winter. It's a change from doing it at home on the turbo trainer. Riding outside isn't safe or practical then. We don't get complete snow removal from any street then (it gets piled up into mountains at the curb) and none at all on side streets.
Some of the other people in the class are clearly not cyclists, but about 25% have bike shorts and shoes and seem to be training for something cycling-related.

and let us not forget, spin class == more women in bike shorts, and that's not a bad thing, right?

My gym recently announced it's removing racquetball courts in favor of enlarging its spinning class space. What a waste .. why do people drive to a gym, ride on stationary bike (yawn), and then drive home? Why not just bike to wherever and save the time?

I thought about taking a spin class before I bought a bike and resumed cycling after 20 some years, but couldn't find one close. So I ended up being really lucky and getting the right bike for the time off of CL, and got to find out how bad I sucked by riding around in the privacy of my own neighborhood.

Never understood the concept of pedaling my a** off and not going any where.

My bro rides a bike -- he did Ride the Rockies this summer. He also goes to spinning classes. They're completely different things.

Personally I'd rather have teeth drilled than ride a stationary bike. But I can see that if there's demand, the same racquetball court that would serve 2 to 4 people an hour could fit dozens of people in on bikes.

If you've never tried spinning, why not give it a chance? All the gyms I've trained at will let potential new customers have one free class... It is incredibly sweaty! :D

If you've never tried spinning, why not give it a chance? All the gyms I've trained at will let potential new customers have one free class... It is incredibly sweaty! :D

I commute and take TKD classes because I don't have time in my life for exercise without a purpose. I try to always make my exercise either be fun or to do something I need anyway, like get to work and back, or chop wood, or learn a martial art (which is also a ton of fun).

It's economics.. A raquetball space will fit 2-4 players. Fill that same space with spinning machines and you have 10-15 members spinning. It probably helps that spinning is much more popular than raquet ball.

Saw this quote in the Adventure Cycling Association newsletter over the summer "Let's have a moment of silence for all those Americans who are stuck in traffic on their way to the gym to ride the stationary bicycle." U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.)

Having said that, been thinking about trying a spin class this winter.

I used to go to spin classes when the weather was too crappy or dark for cycling, mainly in the winter. I did it for exercise, and it was fun because of the music and opportunity to talk and meet people. However, many of the "cyclists" in spin classes never ride a bike on the roads or even trails. Spin class was just an alternative to aerobics, swimming or lifting weights. I quit going to spin class after I started bike commuting because I had no need for it.

I've been bike commuting for the last 5 years. However, I've always lived within 3 miles of work/school, so the commute is not exactly exercise. Plus, while I have a backpack on my back, and wearing regular clothes, I like not to push the pace.

Where I lived earlier, winters were long, dark, cold and lots of snow. Ergo outdoor exercise became a challenge. I would hit up the local campus gym for spin classes a couple of times a week. It was fun, good company, and a great workout. I would be surprised/shocked if anybody at those classes were driving to the gym for that.

At my new work gig, in a different part of the country, I still go to a spin class once or twice a week in the "winter". Sure it doesn't snow, but it gets dark before I get home from work, rains frequently, other bad non-cycling friendly things. Luckily, I live close to a gym and about once a week or so, I'll do the spin instead of swimming/racquetball/volleyball/etc. Again, I would be shocked if more than 2 or 3 out of 20 people in that spin class are driving. Those who do, work nearby so would be driving home anyways after class.

Unfair, and plain wrong, to assume everybody in these classes drives to them.

I dont really get spinning but to be honest, I dont really get cutting a 1/2 acre or smaller lawn with a power lawn mower. Use a manual reel mower.

If you have cruddy weather, then change out your tires. If you are snowed in, then use a hand shovel to create a path.


Great exercise all year round that's also functional hence "Functional Exercise" TM

I used to go to spin classes when the weather was too crappy or dark for cycling

There's no such thing.

Also, I ride my bike to get the hell away from people. I don't ride socially, at all.

I had a morning spin class in college (needed a PE credit) that I rode my bike to in the dark. People thought it was kind of redundant, but I really had no choice- not having a car. One observation, though, is that spinning is a good way to completely control the workout, as in not having to deal with stopping, starting, safety, etc., and the instructor would blast some sweet beats. Also, you can close your eyes if you want!

If you are snowed in, then use a hand shovel to create a path.


Huh. Want to come help me shovel a 20mi loop?

Why do you need to spin in a class? Isn't it just riding a stationary bike at different resistance levels and speeds? Sorta like selecting the hill program and then just putting on your ipod and...uhh...spinning? Is there a reason you have to do it in a group?

spin class usually means a specific, spin, bike. It's a freewheel with friction resistance, and typically more adjustment than your typical stationary bike. You can actually ride clipless pedals and such. And they have "real" saddles instead of the couch mounted on so many stationary bikes....

The logic behind this thread is kinda like why lift weights? Just go be a baggage handler. :roflmao2:

Besides in spin classes, you can hit on someone pretty next to you or read a magazine. Can't do that when you are commuting. :twitchy:

Why do you need to spin in a class?

Why do you need to ask other people to justify what they want to do? Let it alone.

There's no such thing.

Also, I ride my bike to get the hell away from people. I don't ride socially, at all.

Same here.

Why do you need to ask other people to justify what they want to do? Let it alone.

Hey, Ricardo La Cabeza, I wasn't asking for justification.

I was asking in the sense of - what is the purpose of riding a stationary bike in a class? What is the benefit of the class over doing the same thing on your own? Never seen / been to a spin class, so I assume it's just kind of riding on a stationary bike with music and someone yelling at you.

-1 for reading comprehension :rolleyes:

I dont really get spinning but to be honest, I dont really get cutting a 1/2 acre or smaller lawn with a power lawn mower. Use a manual reel mower.

If you have cruddy weather, then change out your tires. If you are snowed in, then use a hand shovel to create a path.


Great exercise all year round that's also functional hence "Functional Exercise" TM

I did some spinning about 4 or 5 years ago. I rather liked it -- for some of the reasons others stated. However, at a certain point, it seemed silly to drive the car to spinning classes. So I started walking or cycling to class.

Naturally, if you cycle to class, you soon start wondering why you are attending spinning classes...

Anyway, I also ask "why?" to the lawn question. I'm investigating re-seeding with buffalo grass. Should save me a bunch of time.

Hey, Ricardo La Cabeza, I wasn't asking for justification.

I was asking in the sense of - what is the purpose of riding a stationary bike in a class? What is the benefit of the class over doing the same thing on your own? Never seen / been to a spin class, so I assume it's just kind of riding on a stationary bike with music and someone yelling at you.

-1 for reading comprehension :rolleyes:

Let's say I had a stationary bike in my basement. Let's also say it's 7:00 at night, the time I had planned to spend on the bike. It would not be unheard of for me to get involved with something and say, oh I'll just ride at 8:00. When eight rolls around something else distracts me so I put it off until 9:00. Eventually it's 11:00 and I decide it's too late, - but no big deal, I'll just do it tomorrow.

The thing about a class is that you can't just put it off. You either go or you miss it. Plus doing something with other people can motivate you to push yourself harder than you would on your own.

I don't ride a stationary bike and I don't run indoors in spite of living in a climate that many people would consider too cold to exercise outdoors. But not everyone is like me and I don't expect them to be. If they feel it's too cold or dark to ride outside then far better to be in spin class than sitting on their butt.

Besides I would bet that the typical spin class is more physically demanding than 90% of the commutes of BF members.

90% is a very low number IMHO.

90% is a very low number IMHO.

I'm sure you're right. I can always push harder on my commute and extend it if I want to, but it never matches the intensity of a group ride for as long a period of time. I'm sure spin classes are the same way and they never have to worry about flats, traffic lights, or intersections.

Riding a bike <> a spin class <> stationary bike

Fixed.

Someone needs to do an advanced spin class where you bring your road bike and use rollers in a group with a motivating/yelling drill instructor and a big screen.

That might be interesting enough to get me to try it.

I'm wondering whether WOT in this context means Way Off Topic or Wide Open Throttle. ;)