Any advice for 1st time Spin Class newbie?
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Irvine, CA
Posts: 4
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Any advice for 1st time Spin Class newbie?
Headed to my local gym for evening session of spin class. The bike come with SPD clips, so I'll be bringing my spare MTB with SPD cleats. Any other advice? Adjusting the spin bike? Wear cycling shorts/riding kit? Thanks.
#2
Respect Your Hill
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 236
Bikes: 2007 Colnago CLX Carbon, 2 Cannondale R2000Si's (road), 1 Trek (road), 1 Cannondale (Mtn)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Arrive early to set up the bike properly and let the instructor know that you are new to Spinning. Bring a bottle of cold water and a sweat towel.
The instructor should be able to show you how to adjust the tension and teach you the difference between hand positions for 2nd and third (out of the saddle) and then it's up to you how hard you want to work.
My club has 30 spin bikes and it's usually close to full. It's not very often that any participants have been seen wearing fancy cycling jeseys. Maybe bike shorts, but usually just a t-shirt or tank to go with it.
Have fun.
The instructor should be able to show you how to adjust the tension and teach you the difference between hand positions for 2nd and third (out of the saddle) and then it's up to you how hard you want to work.
My club has 30 spin bikes and it's usually close to full. It's not very often that any participants have been seen wearing fancy cycling jeseys. Maybe bike shorts, but usually just a t-shirt or tank to go with it.
Have fun.
#3
Huachuca Rider
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 4,275
Bikes: Fuji CCR1, Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by jchen76
Headed to my local gym for evening session of spin class. The bike come with SPD clips, so I'll be bringing my spare MTB with SPD cleats. Any other advice? Adjusting the spin bike? Wear cycling shorts/riding kit? Thanks.
__________________
Just Peddlin' Around
Just Peddlin' Around
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Seminole, FL
Posts: 2,258
Bikes: Guru Geneo, Specialized Roubaix Pro, Guru chron 'alu, Specialized Sequoia
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by jchen76
Headed to my local gym for evening session of spin class. The bike come with SPD clips, so I'll be bringing my spare MTB with SPD cleats. Any other advice? Adjusting the spin bike? Wear cycling shorts/riding kit? Thanks.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Posts: 463
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I found that cranking the bike up to max (the instructor said to keep turning till the wheel stopped) put WAY too much pressure on my knees. Spin bikes are stationary and cant move under you like your road bike. For me that caused strain on my knees. Since then I just spin faster when she asks for that, I explained to her why and since I sweat more then the rest of the class combined, she knew I was working. =)
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 179
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I wear the same thing that I would wear on a trainer ... shoes, socks, bike shorts, light weight shirt and wristbands. Bring plenty of water and several towels (mostly in case you drop one). And learn how to fake cranking the tension up ; )
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 211
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
you might also bring your HRM if you have one. if its your first class, it might be hard! (depending on how fit you are) so just have fun and get used to how it all works. depending on the scene at your gym, the loud music and the black lights can be a little weird.
#8
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dominican Republic
Posts: 7
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I would also find out what the music setup is. In my gym you have to bring your headphones to connect them to a plug hanging from the ceiling (for music and instructor's instructions). Other gyms that I've been to had speakers around the room or at the front of the room.
It's also a good idea to find out what the format of the class is so you can be prepared. A proper spinning class will be either interval, endurance, strength or "race-day hour." Each will have different target heart rates to reach and sustain.
It's also a good idea to find out what the format of the class is so you can be prepared. A proper spinning class will be either interval, endurance, strength or "race-day hour." Each will have different target heart rates to reach and sustain.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 165
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Let the instructor know that this is your first time. Bring water and at least three towels (two for the handle bars and one for your face). Try and get a bike by a fan and away from the speakers (some instructors really crank the music up).
Definitely cycling shorts, but no jersey. A t-shirt will be fine. Show up in full kit and you will never live it down.
It gets easier after the first few times. Remember to have fun.
BR
Definitely cycling shorts, but no jersey. A t-shirt will be fine. Show up in full kit and you will never live it down.
It gets easier after the first few times. Remember to have fun.
BR
#10
Dart Board
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Happy Valley Oregon
Posts: 1,785
Bikes: 13 Super Six EVO Red, 2005 Six13, 2015 CAADX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Stay at a challenging and comfortable pace (65 to 75% MHR) for the first 6 classes before you start getting into more heavy intensities. OH yah have fun.
Velocity
Velocity