Do Spinning classes help you do better on the road?
#26
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An hour of pounding club music certainly isn't doing your hearing any good. Be sure to wear some Etymotics plugs to preserve your ears.
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Spin classes seem like a reasonable way to get in an hour of intense riding when the whether is dreary. I don't think many riders goes to spin class for a relaxing easy spin.
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Tough crowd here. How many folks critical of spinning actually do the classes? You absolutely can crank up the Watts if you have the legs for it, or you can spin away with almost no resistance. Your choice. That is part of the popularity of the classes. Anyone from an out of shape beginner to an elite athlete can do it. And, most instructors I know don't crank the music to ear bleeding levels.
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How do you know what 'most people' do in a spin class? Loads on most spin bikes are adjustable and it's not difficult to simulate outdoor road conditions.
Spin classes seem like a reasonable way to get in an hour of intense riding when the whether is dreary. I don't think many riders goes to spin class for a relaxing easy spin.
Spin classes seem like a reasonable way to get in an hour of intense riding when the whether is dreary. I don't think many riders goes to spin class for a relaxing easy spin.
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#31
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Alas, I moved into a very small apartment recently. There is no room at all for me to put the trainer. And my trainer is very noisy on top of that and now that I have neighbors above and next to me, even if I had space, I would be limited. The spinning has turned out to be a good alternative. I can take one class a week for free because I know the instructor - who is a road cyclist, too.
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After a few tries at spinning, I sold my spin bike and decided I'd just HTFU and ride through the winter. Not only is riding in the winter not as bad as spinning....it can actually be quite nice- especially when the sun is shining and if the wind isn't too bad. I'm now very happy that I ride in the winter. So in my book, that is what spinning is good for: To motivate you to ride in the winter. And if I ever have a "bad" riding day in the winter, I just remember the horrors of indoor spinning, and quickly start feeling good about my ride!
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After a few tries at spinning, I sold my spin bike and decided I'd just HTFU and ride through the winter. Not only is riding in the winter not as bad as spinning....it can actually be quite nice- especially when the sun is shining and if the wind isn't too bad. I'm now very happy that I ride in the winter. So in my book, that is what spinning is good for: To motivate you to ride in the winter. And if I ever have a "bad" riding day in the winter, I just remember the horrors of indoor spinning, and quickly start feeling good about my ride!
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How do you know what 'most people' do in a spin class? Loads on most spin bikes are adjustable and it's not difficult to simulate outdoor road conditions.
Spin classes seem like a reasonable way to get in an hour of intense riding when the whether is dreary. I don't think many riders goes to spin class for a relaxing easy spin.
Spin classes seem like a reasonable way to get in an hour of intense riding when the whether is dreary. I don't think many riders goes to spin class for a relaxing easy spin.
PS: I always loved the response of Eddy Merckx when asked about spinning a shorter gear versus mashing a higher gear. Eddy responded it was always his goal to spin a big gear....lol. Nobody did it better and there is nothing harder.
Last edited by Campag4life; 01-24-15 at 12:07 PM.
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I use a spin bike at home this time of year or when I can't ride outside.. It does help to some degree for sure and better than nothing. That being said I feel that unless your moving your weight and fighting the wind it's not the same overall. It's great for structured workouts and routines. The one thing about trainers and spin bikes is that there is no coasting so your always pedaling.
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It sounds like you ride with slow people. The only people I know who've gone to spinning classes are fast. Some of the spinning classes are on computrainers and are every bit as competitive as group rides. I'm sure there are slow people who go to spin classes just like there are slow people who ride on the road.
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I know that doing Tabata drills on the spin bike did do me much good, over the one wintyer I actually used the bike. Come that spring, the hills were much easier, and I wasn't even breathing hard on hills that used to kill me; and was avg. 1 MPH faster. The nice thing is: Tabata drills are over real fast; the bad thing is: They kill you if you're doing them properly [Unlike a Youtube vid I watched once- where the instructor was demonstrating Tabata drills, and was able to talk through the whole thing! If you can still talk normally after the 2nd or 3rd set...you're not really doing Tabata!)
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I don't know the answer to this question (I did know a multiple World Champion on the track who did spin classes in the winter.), but if the most common reason for doing something is it is better than not doing anything at all, I consider rather dubious. If I am going to spend time on something with a goal of improvement, I am going make sure that activity to make sure that it will definitely do what I want it to do.
Last edited by colnago62; 01-24-15 at 12:28 PM.
#39
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Due to snow and darkness I take refuge in spinning rooms occasionally. I reallly dislike the aerobic lady instructors who know nothing about outdoor cycling. At my gym there are now four very good cyclists who have great spinning sessions (up to 90 minutes). The Gym uses Suunto software and it is great to follow a set program whith your HR up on a big screen.
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It sounds like you ride with slow people. The only people I know who've gone to spinning classes are fast. Some of the spinning classes are on computrainers and are every bit as competitive as group rides. I'm sure there are slow people who go to spin classes just like there are slow people who ride on the road.
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My son's Tri coach used to have a spin class where you bring your bike. He had 30 trainers so you could ride what you normally do.
It was pretty intense.
It was pretty intense.
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Well I don't ride with slow people unless its a slow friend or family member. One of the fastest guys I have ridden with actually competes on a stationary bike with power meter against other local racers. It is virtual racing...not a spin class. He says his average session is an hour and he averages about 300w's for that hour and therefore he can drop me. :-) This type of riding will make you stronger because it really is a simulation of a very fast group ride or racing. This is a far cry from the average spinning class however geared to the so called 'average' cyclist. As discussed, it depends on the class and the type of bike used. Many don't have power meters and unless you know how many watts are being laid down, it really doesn't mean much.
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Some strange stuff in these posts. My only hope is that you do not cross train, do not swim, no running whatsoever, no hill climbing, no intervals, and absolutely no spin class, nothing that could impact your cardio fitness, and then you be the guy next to me at race start. And remember, to go fast and be the envy of your club, the most impactful thing you can do is change out that heavy bottle cage for one made of carbon matrix to save 3 grams of weight - killer.
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Some strange stuff in these posts. My only hope is that you do not cross train, do not swim, no running whatsoever, no hill climbing, no intervals, and absolutely no spin class, nothing that could impact your cardio fitness, and then you be the guy next to me at race start. And remember, to go fast and be the envy of your club, the most impactful thing you can do is change out that heavy bottle cage for one made of carbon matrix to save 3 grams of weight - killer.
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Yes it helps - it is cycling in one place! If you have never been to a spin class, check one out. With the right leader of the class, you will get you butt kicked and handed back to you. Great conditioning, really really tough stuff.
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Calm down dude, I agree with you - improving your cardio shapes has nothing to do with biking, all this talk about VO2 and stuff is just horse pukey, and lordy, all the money and time folks put into rollers so they "improve their cardio and believe they are getting to be better riders" is a total waste. Fools. I just wish my fellow club members understood what you and I do.
BTW, do you have two carbon bottle cages or just one and saving up?
BTW, do you have two carbon bottle cages or just one and saving up?
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I've done lots of spin classes. My opinion they are good if you can't make it out for a ride. But if I can go out in a fast group tide, no spinning glass can match it for cycling benefit.
People get misled with classes and all the sweat. You are indoors in the heat with no wind. That makes for lots of sweat. I admit I feel drained sometimes from the classes so it can push you.
People get misled with classes and all the sweat. You are indoors in the heat with no wind. That makes for lots of sweat. I admit I feel drained sometimes from the classes so it can push you.
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Calm down dude, I agree with you - improving your cardio shapes has nothing to do with biking, all this talk about VO2 and stuff is just horse pukey, and lordy, all the money and time folks put into rollers so they "improve their cardio and believe they are getting to be better riders" is a total waste. Fools. I just wish my fellow club members understood what you and I do.
BTW, do you have two carbon bottle cages or just one and saving up?
BTW, do you have two carbon bottle cages or just one and saving up?
I don't use carbon cages. I use the most popular cages on the planet which happen to be aluminum....Tacx Tao of course.
How about you? CAAD10 or Chinese carbon?
#50
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That's one of dumbest statement I've ever read, they're all at least a cat 5, some I've known are even cat 3.
FWIW - I've done spin classes and I've found them to be a great help getting ready for spring riding. These days however riding the rollers in the basement have proven more beneficial for me than spin classes when spring comes along.