Originally Posted by
merlinextraligh
IMHO, If you're training for racing, you're better off doing a program of structured intervals on a trainer, or even on a spin bike, rather than a spin class.
In my experience, most spin classes are run by instructors that know little about riding a bike on the road, and nothing about racing one.
And while many spin classes can be hard, they're not designed to work on particular things in a progressive fashion.
If you can find a series of spin classes that are intended for race training that would be different.
Failing that, doing some general spin classes won't hurt, and may help with motiviation, but don't let them get in the way of doing the structured work you need to do, or recovering on easy days so you can do that structured work.
I agree with this for the most part. I would add the caveat that it does depend on the instructor.
Fortunately, here in Taiwan, year-round cycling is not a problem. Even still, on rainy days or days when I don't have time for a ride, a spin class is a great way to fill the gap. I don't look at it as training for biking per se...but if you bring a heart rate monitor, a great attitude, and ready to ride, I find spinning is a great way to keep stepping up my cardio level...and that has obvious transfer benefits to whatever athletic endeavor you are into!