maidenfan

The wife signed me up at 24HR Fitness recently. I walked into a spin class tonight and thought I'd give it a shot - great class and a great one hour workout. The bikes were pretty stout, but still rocked a bit when we stood up. Definately check it out if you have some in your area (especially if you dont like riding in the rain).

CraigB

This will be my third winter of twice-weekly spin classes, which is about all I can handle.

On another note, I saw a 24HR Fitness place here recently with an "OPEN" sign in the window. Well, duh.

youcoming

Spin classes are all about the instructor and what you want out if the class. I find most instructors spend too much time standing on big gears, always thought it was spin not mash class! Lol if you have a good instructor thought it can be awesome.

chefisaac

As funny as it sounds, not all 24 hour's are open 24 hours. I found this funny too but there are some in the PNW that close at 10 pm and open at 5 am.

chefisaac

My wife and I belonged to one when we lived in Washington and it was awesome. That is what I miss and non out here in Jersey.

carl_h

I've been spinning for about a year and half. One instructor that I prefer teaches the class as if we were cyclists. Others are more into leg workouts. I spin at least twice a week and more often in the winter. Definitely a good cardio workout!

digibud

spinning let me enter this summer season with my butt still broken in an helped me maintain and even improve my cardio. I typically ride harder in spinning class than I do on the road.

Stomper

I agree. The spin class is as good as the instructor. Recently I have begun to bring my hr monitor to class and I identified instructors that emphasize cadence and increased aerobic capacity. This has made a tremendous difference in the quality of my workouts. Also I stay away from instructors that can't time bunny hops to music. Timing, cadence and symmetry are essential components of a good spinning class IMHO.

MAK

I really enjoy spinning. I agree that a good instructor makes for a better class...but...if I don't like what the instructor is doing, I do what I want. The general theme of most classes is that, "it's your ride" so that's how I view it. I don't do short jumps because they don't agree with my knees and if I am at a cadence or resistance I want to be at, I don't change just because the instructor says so. Most of the time I folloow the program and just enjoy the workout.

gforeman 

If you want to Spin at home, I have a whole entire series of Spinervals DVD's and a really great spin bike. Check them out, it goes by real fast when doing it like a class. Coach Troy really kicks my butt :-) They are kind of expensive, but I think of all the workouts I have done with them, it was money well spent. I even converted some of them to run on my iPhone and when I am away vacationing, and can find a spin bike, I still do them.

My favorites are:

1.0 Riding with Team Clydesdale
6.0 Riding with Iron Girl
28.0 Aero Base Builder VI

Though I have a lot more.



https://www.spinervals.com/

CraigB

Among the other, more typical stuff, our instructors are fond of having us sit and mash against a ton of resistance. I'm sorry, but at 58 years old, if I'm going to blow out a knee, I'm going to do it while doing something I love, like riding on the road, and not while trying to stay in shape for it.

brawlo

I did spin classes for about 5 years before I got seriously into bike riding. I used to love the workouts. But once I got my bike and started racing I really started to see the shortfalls of the classes from a rider's perspective. After one winter of doing 2-3 classes per week, I came out the other side and jumped on the road bike for my first season of racing and felt as if I hadn't even been on a bike. I wondered why and looked into it. It was a big slap the forehead moment. Most spinning classes are aimed at keeping people fit that don't even ride a bike. They are purely fitness orientated. Think about how you actually ride a bike and structure your spin class accordingly, even if you have to break away from what the rest of the class is doing at times. Once I started doing this, I found I was getting an even better workout. Before, I was puffed at the end of the class, but felt fine otherwise. When I started doing the class like a rider, I was absolutely stuffed. All I had to do was cut a couple of things out that the instructor was doing. If your instructor has a problem, have a chat to them. If they still have a problem, find another instructor. Any instructor worth their salt should be able to see your point of view.

maidenfan

I really didnt pay much attention to the instructor. I stood when the class did, but focused mainly on a high cadence spin (what I need). Most of the class was probably in the 60-80 range - I tried to keep it at 100+ (obviously not standing).

nkfrench 

Those classes are torture for me. I'll attend if we have a stretch of bad weather keeping me from doing "real" bike rides, but after 10 minutes I'm already clock watching.
The dome-shaped saddle doesn't let the sitbones carry the weight. The handlebars are at an awkward position so my back or shoulders or elbows hurt when I stand.
The flywheel on the bike makes my stiff knee bend faster than is capable of (sensation of knee ripping apart) and I can't get the adjustments just right.
The instructors - some are OK, others are mindless twits that make fun of anybody who is over 30, has ever worn bike clothes or a helmet to ride a real bike, or has fitness aspirations beyond spin class.
I wear a heartrate monitor and find it difficult to average above 130bpm for 45 minutes, max about 150, for spin class.
Last night on a real bike, I averaged 160bpm for over an hour (max 179) -- and had fun.
I'm really dialed into the exact fit of my road bike. The generic spin bike can't be exactly adjusted to match and my body lets me know it.
I know my climbing while standing would improve with more spin classes. And it's better than sitting around. But it's torture just thinking about it.
I bought a fancy trainer and an extra bike to live on it, plus some DVDs. Now, if I can just get the thing set up...

Black wallnut 

Here in Ellensburg, WA we do it different' Our LBS puts them on by providing the space and trainers, we provide our road bikes and enthusiasm. The LBS also provides an "instructor" a shop employee two nights a week and a charismatic patron to lead ladies night once weekly through the winter season. So these are put on by cyclists for cyclists and attended by cyclists. Always a great workout and they have helped me progress, or improve my fitness. More fit riders I think are able to maintain fitness with them.

maidenfan

At first read I thought you said, "I find it difficult to avg 130 RPM for 45 mins, max about 150 RPM". I was thinking, dang, this person needs to hit the track, then realized you were talking about your heart.

CraigB

My shop does the same thing, but they price it way too high for me. It works out to about 3 times the cost of my gym membership for the 8 weeks it runs. Plus the gym has other fitness options the shop trainer sessions don't.

Black wallnut 

Yeah Craig, second best part is it is free. Best part is the friendships I've developed.

Cactuskid

I go to 24hr fitness here and they got spinning classes, 24 bikes and it fills up! Instructor is best around I used to do her class 5 years ago at another gym that closed. your right though I can ride 60 miles on my bike - but an hour with her class and I am almost ready to throw up from exhaustion wooo

UpL8

I have actually taken to doing a cardio cycling class once a week at the (somewhat) local Zumba joint. I started the class to try and keep in shape over the winter since I can't seem to find the time to ride when the days are shorter. The class is a combination of stationary cycling and weight-work with kettlebell weights. I sort of like the class, in spite of myself.

When I started the class, I strode in with all the confidence in the world, jumped onto the bike and started spinning away, certain that it would be a complete snap and that I wouldn't even break a sweat. I scoffed at my new classmates, thinking they were, well...wusses! LOL! How utterly stupid of me! When I was done with the class, I was drenched in sweat, shaking from exhaustion and so wobbly that I had to sit in my vehicle for 5 minutes to recover!

The instructor is very straightforward and spare in his approach, and he's not obsessively hands-on. He provides guidance and encouragement, but he doesn't rip on anyone for doing their own thing...which I do frequently. If that approach changes, I may reconsider going to the class, but for now...I plan to stick with this at least once a week, maybe up to twice a week as it gets colder outside.

That said, my earliest observation about this class versus cycling is likely true in reverse. I doubt I will be able to race out in the spring, leap onto my bike and speed off into the sunset without working my way back to at least the level of fitness I had around cycling before the summer ended; I have to keep in mind that these are very different activities, as similar as they might appear.

maidenfan

I've been going twice a week at the 24hr Fitness. I enjoyed it so much I started going to local track cycling coach here in Portland that runs spinning classes. Better bikes, (cyclops pro) and fit, and a much more precise program than the 24hr classes. Check it out if you're in Portland, Or - https://www.tempocycles.com