DropDeadFred

My local gym has spin classes, like many do, and I'm considering this as an option over the winter. I'm firm on attempting to ride through the winter when possible rather than sit in my living room on a trainer. With the gym I have the added benefit of the rest of the facility, plus its a good excuse to get out of the house rather than posting up in front of the television for an hour of spinning.

Do any of you do spin classes? Whats better, riding on a trainer or the classes with weekly rides (weather permitting)?

I'm just wondering if the money is worth it for the trainer when I can spend that same money and have full access to a loaded gym with spin classes. What's the longevity of a trainer on average?

Thanks in advance.

dayday82

I do spin classes when I can't ride outside. It is not as fun as being out on the road, but it is better than nothing. Just make sure you have a good spin instructor. I hate artificial resistance and riding a stationary, but doing spin class with a full class is better than doing it alone.

hhnngg1

Both good options.

If you are a budding road racer, definitely go trainer, as it's specific to your activity.

If you are more of a fitness cyclist, go spin classes. You'll enjoy the scene and the environment much more.

If you do get a trainer, do plan to not just buy a trainer. You should also get a bike computer of some sort to capture speed (to tell how hard you're working - useful to compare efforts between workouts) as well as possibly audio/DVD options if you're so inclined. A lot of people find it hard to keep working on on a trainer due to boredom. I can do it no problem, but it is because I mix highly structured workouts with power/HR targets (which keep you very occupied trying to hold those numbers) and long rides with DVDs to keep things interesting. If I just 'get on and ride' on the trainer with no plan, I last for only 20 minutes. And I'm a pretty die-hard trainer user - I rode mine so much last year that I completely destroyed the front brake system from sweat corrosion and nearly had to replace the entire headset. The LBS repair guy was amazed and said he'd never seen anything like it.

DropDeadFred

that was another concern. They aren't cheap and if I go to a gym then they pay for something if it breaks down. My girlfriend also rides with me and wants something to do over the winter...She has the attention span of that dog on the movie UP, so keeping her entertained on a trainer might prove to be difficult.

I have yet to do a spin class, I don't know wether I'll come back in the spring seriously weaker for doing them or stronger. Is the trainer the key to helping me continue gaining strength over the winter?

Somehow I see me ending up with 2 gym memberships and at least 1 trainer when all is said and done. I do have a birthday coming up

dayday82

Good idea and get both! You can also take your bike and trainer with you to the spin classes! Never seen anyone do that but that would be funny.

BillyD

I prefer the gym, primarily for the advantages you already mentioned.

Moreover, the eye candy provides extra special incentive to go on days when you're feeling lazy.

Never underestimate the eye candy.

DropDeadFred

My LBS is talking about doing spin sessions with trainers at the shop, I think it'd be fun

DropDeadFred

true, very true. Anytime I have a monthly bill for something I feel more inclined to use it as well. I hate paying for something I don't use. I visit my storage unit just to shift stuff around once a month.

Paul Barnard

The eye candy can indeed be quite motivational.

merlinextraligh

Pretty much agree. My experience with Spin classes is that they don't fit well with a structured training program.

Also most of the instructors that I've run across don't have a clue how to ride a bike, or how to train with a program such as by Freil or Carmichael, etc.

If you found a spin class run by a cycling coach as a training series it might work, but otherwise they're more appropriate for general fitness, than race specific training.

The upside is that the group setting may push you harder.

So if you're going to do actual training, and can't regularly ride outside, you need a trainer, and the spin class is not going to really be a substitute (alhough you could still work some spin classes into your training).

If you're not following a structured program, spin class would be ok for maintaining some general fitness.

rekmeyata

Home or away gyms are only good if you use them...most buy equipment or sign up to a membership with good intentions then stop using the stuff or going to the gym after 3 months. Gym's count on that by the way for profit, that's how they can overbook their memberships, you see there are an average of 43 million active memberships at any given time but only an average of 16 million are regular users. There are a few smaller private gyms that lets a person pay month to month with no membership fees, look into those.

If you decide to buy equipment for the house look into getting off Craigslist, a ton of people buy that stuff and use it 20 or 30 times then sits in their house unused for years then decide to sell it cheap. Advantage of buying it used, besides saving a ton of money, is if you no longer use the equipment after several months and later decide to sell it you won't lose much if any money.

DropDeadFred

all good suggestions. I was a member of the gym years ago, I went religiously no problems. I parted ways after they decided to keep charging me for not signing termination forms AFTER my 2 year agreement was over. They tried to send it to collections, I promptly informed the BBB. Now its "under new management" and changed its name. Still a good gym, the spin trainer is a lady that rides herself, badass felt with zipp wheels (jealous). I think the gym would be more for me and the girlfriend to do together. I guess I need a trainer as well for my own personal gain, I'd like to come into the spring pretty strong and hopefully I'll have time to enter a race or two as well next year.

bobbycorno

Spin classes will make you stronger. Just make sure the instructor is a cyclist, not a "reformed" aerobics instructor. It makes a HUGE difference.

SP
Bend, OR

seypat

Talk about motivation! Think about how much better shape the gym population would be in if they had to change clothes in the opposite sex's dressing room.(I guess the gay population has to do this now)

I know I would be dropping some weight, sucking in the gut and walking like the Terminator if I had to do that.

Seattle Forrest

I go to the gym, but I don't do their spin classes, or use their exercise "bikes." That's just silly. Ours look like the ones below. There are a number of personal trainers at my gym, and these are the folks who lead the spin classes, and all the other classes they offer (swimming, etc). In their profiles, you'll see that this one used to be a marine, that one was a runner, etc; they used to have a guy who's a cyclist, but he doesn't work there anymore.

On the other hand, cyclists aren't known for upper body strength, and it's nice to lift weights and work on that. The swimming pool and hot tub are great. I get a lot of benefit from the place that either doesn't have anything to do with cycling, or offsets some of the deficits I create for myself by spending so much time on the bike. Plus, when it's really nasty out, I have the opportunity to work my heart and legs on the elliptical and stair machine. ( Anyone know how accurate the power meters in these things are? )

The eye candy is a really nice bonus. It's nice to get out of the house, especially when it's 35 F and raining sideways. For a lot of people, the fact that you're paying for a membership is pretty strong motivation - might as well use it and get your money's worth.

Mithrandir

I have an indoor recumbent exercise bike I bought for inclement weather exercise. I got bored of it really quickly. As it turns out I just can't stand exercise where I'm not going anywhere... everything I do, I have to do outdoors. As such, when it gets too snowy to bike, I just go nordic skiing instead.

Works great for me.

DropDeadFred

yeah, I think me and the girl are gonna shop a few of the gyms around. One (the Y)has a pool and rock climbing but I don't think it has the classes, the other has no pool....no rock climbing but is larger and closer to the house. decisions, decisions...

gladiator13

I'd go with the closest one. I was also torn between a gym that was further away but was newer and had a pool, or the close one that didn't have a pool and was slightly older. Now my gym is less than 5 minutes away and only one stoplight so I can get there, workout, and be home in an hour easily. The pool and climbing would be great but it would be too easy to say I don't want to drive across town for them.

seypat

One word of advise. Join together, maybe take a spin class together, but don't feel obligated to do your own workout together. It will work best if you arrive together and then go your separate ways. Then meet again for the class, swim, and hit the hot tub. Then leave together. Trust me, that's all I'm going to say.

On a side note, I think thing one thing at a gym that more people should use is the shower/dressing rooms. Use their electricity and water and get it done.

datlas 

I agree. I tried a few spin classes at my "Y" and gave up because the instructors were telling the class to do things that, in my opinion, do not translate well to real-world cycling.

I am sure that a good spin instructor who knows cycling may be ok, though.

I love my $100 cheapo rollers and some good music at home.

himespau 

I'm good with competing with myself to achieve some made up goals, but that's really only good for an hour or less. I like machines for that as opposed to trainers as I don't have a power meter or anything so a machine that automatically changes resistance on a program or something gives me more information and more variety of goals to set to keep myself entertained.

seypat

If you have a family the price is easier to justify. I take the kids to the gym at least 2 or 3 times a week. We swim and play around in the pool for an hour or 2. On Sunday's we take an early evening bike ride followed by the gym/pool. That's a lot cheaper than going to a movie. It keeps them away from the electronics some and gives the wife some time to herself. I work out in the mornings before work.

One thing that's not mentioned when talking about cycling and exercise. Since cycling is non weight bearing, it does nothing to improve your bone density. So you need to do some type of training for that also.

Seattle Forrest

+1, except about skiing. We get a rainy season instead of a snowy season, and I do more kayaking when that happens. I'll probably get a set of snow shoes so I can continue hiking until avalanches make that a Bad Idea.

I had a trainer, in my case an outdoor trainer, and gave it away. I could keep up my leg strength by playing hamster, but I couldn't work on my cornering, and other bike skills. I decided it's better to just get wet and grimy.

Mithrandir

That being said I am considering getting a Moonlander or Pugsley for snow riding next year

Pug

I skeeve spin bikes. People sweat buckets all over them, then give it a quick wipe with a paper towel when done. Yuck.