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Do Spinning classes help you do better on the road?

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Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Do Spinning classes help you do better on the road?

Old 01-24-15, 10:27 AM
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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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Old 01-24-15, 10:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Campag4life
Most people that attend spinning classes aren't going to want to ramp up the load that would simulate riding at 20-22mph on the road in their own air. Rather they opt for the pedal forces in the 16-18 mph range.
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.
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Old 01-24-15, 10:38 AM
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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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Old 01-24-15, 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by gregf83
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.
That crowd usually advances quickly or drops off by early February.
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Old 01-24-15, 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by TANC
If you have a trainer at home, why are you going to spin classes ?
Because riding in my basement sucks. After 30 minutes I want to kill myself.

In class the instructor and music motivates me to work harder.

And the view from the back isn't bad.
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Old 01-24-15, 10:55 AM
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Originally Posted by TANC
If you have a trainer at home, why are you going to spin classes ? Buy PerfPro Studio or signup for Trainer Road and the workouts you can do will far, far exceed any spin class.
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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Old 01-24-15, 11:51 AM
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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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Old 01-24-15, 11:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Stucky
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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Old 01-24-15, 12:01 PM
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Originally Posted by gregf83
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.
Because most that go to spinning class are slow bike riders. Joe average if that. They are the Starbucks club and care more about what spandex they are wearing than becoming a strong cyclist. You capitalize on the precise point. The bikes are adjustable...lol. Most average guys turn the resistance down and not up. A very different crowd than power based TrainerRoad where people punish themselves in their basement. Hey, that isn't exactly the definition of sanity either and it can be argued that 'spinning' is a lot less painful but there is little doubt which one is most effective if improvement is your goal and you want to be a strong cyclist. There is no shortcut to being good. You either have to train or ride with fast guys or you won't be as fast. Most in spinning class aren't even CAT 5's or equivalent. Nothing wrong with that but is what it is. I have never met a real strong cyclist who attended a 'spinning' class. Many however train with power in their home in the off season.
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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Old 01-24-15, 12:08 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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Old 01-24-15, 12:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Campag4life
I have never met a real strong cyclist who attended a 'spinning' class. Many however train with power in their home in the off season.
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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Old 01-24-15, 12:13 PM
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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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Old 01-24-15, 12:23 PM
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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.
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Old 01-24-15, 02:43 PM
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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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Old 01-24-15, 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by gregf83
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.
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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Old 01-24-15, 02:59 PM
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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.
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Old 01-24-15, 03:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Campag4life
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.
The ones my local gym uses do, and it is quite a useful tool.
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Old 01-24-15, 03:42 PM
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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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Old 01-24-15, 04:29 PM
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Originally Posted by MRT2
The ones my local gym uses do, and it is quite a useful tool.
Tell us how you train on them and what wattage you train to.
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Old 01-24-15, 04:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Gyrine
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.
Now you are conflating. You are mixing in all types of cross training. How about weight lifting...another area of cross training that has been debated in terms of value added. I grew up swimming competitively. I still swim about a mile a day most days of the week along with about 120 miles a week on the bike. Does swimming make me a better bike rider? Honestly more dedicated bike riding i.e. intervals and riding with faster guys and pushing myself harder would without question make me stronger than any time long or short in the pool. Swimming does keep my upper body toned however which I like but I have ridden with swimming and without and it makes very little difference to my bike riding. Btw, you can throw in running as well. Many are great runners and can't ride a bike a lick. Conversely I am a decent bike rider and can't run. In fact inability to run keeps me from doing tri-s.
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Old 01-24-15, 05:10 PM
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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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Old 01-24-15, 05:15 PM
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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?
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Old 01-24-15, 05:38 PM
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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.
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Old 01-24-15, 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Gyrine
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?
First you were conflating and now you are projecting. Look them up. The 41 can be educational. I am perfectly calm.
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?
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Old 01-24-15, 07:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Campag4life
You either have to train or ride with fast guys or you won't be as fast.
Believe what you want, but that's a complete fallacy.

Originally Posted by Campag4life
Most in spinning class aren't even CAT 5's or equivalent.
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.
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