wheelreason

Machka 

Like a spinning class?

The spinning classes where I live are included in the gym memberships. Or if you're going to drop in, that depends ... in one gym the drop in fee is about $20 but that's for any classes you take plus use of all the other gym equipment. The drop in fee in the place we go to is about $8, and again that includes classes plus the use of all the other gym equipment.

dalava

No it's NOT like spin class.

kbarch

I'm assuming these would be as instructional as they may be "intense" training sessions, but it really depends on the size of the class - the instructor/student ratio - whether it's a small group or a big class. 6:1 is one thing, anything more is totally different.

Given that reasonably qualified personal training can be had for $80-100/hour (last time I checked anyhow), and that up to 6:1 allows for significant personal attention, I might be convinced to pay $40-50 hour for a class if it was highly structured and the instructor fully understood my own goals. If it cost much more than that, and I was sufficiently motivated to sign up for structured training, I'd probably opt for personal instruction instead. In any event, at those prices, I'd expect the instructor to tailor the training to me, and prepare for and follow up on the sessions accordingly.

If there were many people in the class - any more than 10, certainly - I'd be reluctant to spend more than $20/session unless it was a social thing that a bunch of friends agreed to do, and even then I'd balk at more than $25/session.

Also, I can only imagine doing this in the dead of winter, maybe into the beginning of race season in March.

Nachoman

a bunch of yahoos all in one room, sitting on their bikes, which are attached to trainers, pedaling like crazy, how is that NOT like a spin class?

popeye

The structured training part. Like someone said it's fine for someone to really find where they
stand and want to advance in the most efficient manner possible. You can't pay me to ride a
trainer and I had a CompuPro long gone.

thin_concrete

My LBS does this for free during the winters. People show up with food and/beer for after the class.

RShantz

Exactly. A structured ride on a smart trainer is brutal & will help. I imagine most of the folks comparing this to a spin class or just using their regular trainer at home have no idea/experience with a smart trainer session. All the folks I've know that did a structured ride on a smart trainer quickly realized they weren't trying all that hard on their regular trainer.

gregf83 

Personally, if I'm going to ride a trainer I'd prefer to do it in my own home with my own music and zwift. Driving to a class would just be a hassle. Riding on a trainer is not complicated so I don't see the need for a highly qualified instructor. Knowing your precise FTP is also not particularly helpful for training sessions.

Having a decent trainer with power is useful though but I think most people who can't afford a decent trainer and powermeter likely won't be interested in spending $30/session to rent one.

dalava

It's not knowing you FTP, but in what zones you should train at that will get you the most bang for the buck time wise. Knowing FTP and max heart rate and their corresponding zones and where your LT is at (and VO2Max would be even better) would let you do that; otherwise you are just riding, not exactly training. Sure riding helps, but probably not as scientific or efficient.

gregf83 

If you don't know how to train you can get a structured training program for $100/yr from trainerroad.

My point on not knowing your precise FTP is that you'll figure it out after a few sessions. As long as you have a reasonably accurate powermeter you can adjust the target power for a given interval. If you can't finish a set of 2x20 intervals you lower the target next time until you can. If it feels too easy, raise the target next time.

trailangel

Can you wear yoga pants?

DaveQ24

I signed up for a 10 session package of one on one training, 1 hour sessions, with a cycling coach who used a Computrainer unit - $600. After the 2nd session the trainer left and the gym didn't find anyone to replace him so that was that.

Since it was $60 per session 1 on 1, I would think $20-$25 per person would be reasonable for a small group.

Xherion

I couldn't justify spending more than $10-15 a session or so. I bought a Kickr in April 2015 and I do probably 75% of all my riding on it (nearing 6000 "virtual" miles). I'd probably go broke doing the same amount of training in a cycling class.

Camilo

Seattle Forrest has it right. I have a hard time understanding all but the extremely serious competitive cyclists spending time "riding" indoors when a hill walk, run or ski is available. (of course sometimes they aren't available or practical, I get that).

Being outside and seeing countryside is a large part of why I cycle. Being healthy is also part of it, but "training" is not.

My unsolicited rant being finished, I'm not sure exactly what the OP is describing, but I feel that $10-15/hour for a group lesson or group supervised training by a qualified instructor is absolutely fair. The instructor/coach should gross at least $50/hour, imho for just his/her time, and even more more if a facility and/or expensive equipment is also provided.

dalava

We all bring our own perspectives into these discussions; some likes to go outdoor and can't imagine why would someone wants to ride indoors, and some just want to get some exercise in the most time efficient manner possible. The target audience of these indoor sessions are clearly NOT for you, but that doesn't mean they are not for SOME. What the OP's describing is not a spinning class, but a more structure cycling training session with biometric data (power, heart rate, cadence, % of LT, % of FTP, zones, etc.) and typically HIIT (high intensity interval training) sets. For those, the facility and equipment are not cheap; not something you set up in your community center on a weekend evening.

Athens80

If you don't have a trainer, can't train at home, or want to go the extra mile to be in the room with other sweating people, go do a group trainer session at someone's studio.

If you want a structured cycling training session with biometric data (power, heart rate, cadence, % of LT, % of FTP, zones, etc.) and typically HIIT (high intensity interval training) sets, sign up for TrainerRoad or Zwift. If you don't already have the equipment, you can buy an adequate trainer and the speed, cadence and HR sensors that'll be useful for less than the cost of months of studio classes. You can train in the comfort and convenience of your own home. TrainerRoad has more developed, structured training plans. Zwift is enhancing their structured training sessions and has a great, motivating social community in-app.

And that's not mentioning the other great indoor training apps available now. Home indoor training is nothing like it was five years ago.

memebag

I've never been to a spin class, but that sounds like one from what I've heard from other cyclists who go to them.

dalava

You should go to a spin class, and then report back

DGlenday

To the original poster: Ignore the comments about riding outside (those guys have probably never experienced a real winter) or training at home (not the same thing).

I ride outdoors winter WHEN it is possible, and I use a home trainer with TrainerRoad ...and I still do 2 back to back CompuTrainer classes with a qualified coach. It's definitely worth it.

To answer your question ...about $25. That's the going rate at the facility I go to, and it's almost always sold out.

Feel free to PM me if you would like details.

macca33

I honestly would have Zero interest in paying to attend one of these, as I already own a smart trainer and use Zwift, etc... But, one of my LBS is investing in a set-up where he'll supply the high-speed internet, people will take their bikes and smart trainers in, with iPads (once Zwift releases the ios software to the world) and we'll have Friday night racing, followed by beers and pizza, in his shop.

I reckon my LBS owner is showing smart business sense - he'll get a lot of people in the door for the sessions and get to sell some product, perhaps demo a few bikes and attract some additional sales.

cheers

dalava

There are certain things one would do in a group environment that they wouldn't do otherwise; riding harder is one of them.

Kai Winters

You can dress it up any way you want and call it anything you want but basically it is a spin class.

However if it is tailored to race or performance riding it may be much better than the average spin class.
It depends on the "trainer" and the format of the "class".

Cost would be based on the "popularity" of the trainer...Good trainers have a strong base of dedicated followers while others have few and fade out quickly. How much??? Whatever the business and/or trainer feels they can get away with...nothing worthwhile is free...

dalava

You may call them spin class, but the word "spinning" is actually trademarked by these guys: Spinning | The World Leader in Indoor Cycling, and you will get a c&d letter if you call your establishment anything with spin in it.

Anecdotal observations: large % of people go to spin classes in yoga clothing, and the instructor is loud and will yell inspirational instructions and loud music playing at the background. Cycling classes have more bike jersey attire and less volume on both the music and inspiration speeches. Triathletes go to cycling classes and wouldn't be caught dead in spin classes.

bmthom.gis

I might try one out for free, but don't see myself paying for the uhm, "privilege" of riding in an enclosed room with a bunch of other bike dorks. Outside is different, lots of ventilation. I think I would rather save my dollars, get my own smart trainer and maybe do sessions with just one or two friends and connect to Zwift. Though I would rather just spend that money on something else. Maybe a used track bike so I can hit the velodrome every once in a while.

Maybe it's worth it to aspiring racers who want to get to a Cat 1 level.

I'd rather be outside. If crunched for time, running is pretty effective at burning calories in far less time than riding, and about equally as torturous as sitting on a trainer. It can be done in all weather (so can biking, just look in the Commuting sub for people who do it year round in "real" winter - it may not be the kind of riding you are used to, but it's still riding).