Spinning...
 

I was thinking of joining a spinning class because it's boring to ride on my trainer all the time, and I'd like to be able to have some sort of company. However, my bike has keo pedals, and therefore I have keo cleats, but the spinning bikes where I would be taking the class have different pedals, which aren't keo compatible. I'm pretty sure they're spd, but I have no idea. Would anyone recommend getting cleats that are compatible, and change them every class, and then change them back afterwords so that I could ride on my trainer other days? Or buying a new set of shoes or pedals, depending on which I can find cheaper?

they are spd im almost 100% on that,i use the same cleats for indoor and my acutal bike cause i have 3 and 2 hole spots

The spin bikes I've used have spd on one side of the pedal and platform with straps on the other. If you don't want to change your cleats, just use the platform side of the pedal.

Ours have toe cages and straps on one side, and SDP (with Look adapters available) on the other. The cages and gym or running shoes work fine. The straps will eventually mark up your shoes- that is the only down side.

You needed a new pair of shoes anyway.

Just look for a cheap pair of mtb shoes and a set of cleats. I would never swap the cleats out on my shoes, way too much work getting them back in the correct location.

^this

Buy a cheap set of commuter/ mtb shoes, install spd cleats, use for spin class, done.

Spin bikes at my gym have SPDs on most of the bikes, but a few also have the old Look Delta pedals. But I've been using the toe clips and straps with an old pair of track shoes.

At the spin class I attend you bring your own bike.

+1

Just think of it as part of the cost of the class.

Do most spin bikes at gyms have clipless pedals on one side? Never really looked at the pedals before... The seats still look uncomfortable though.

Yes, they do. SPD. How comfortable the seats are won't matter much. Ride hard for 60-90 minutes.

Spin bikes do, most regular exercise bikes do not.

Any reason this isn't an option?

http://www.excelsports.com/image/Par...l%20Wrench.jpg

On the spin bike? You think they want patrons messing with equipment?

The handful of times I've attended a spin class I just used the platform side of the pedals with the straps. Cinched them up tight and they worked fine. It's not like I needed to unclip in a hurry at stoplights or an emergency.

Which brings back the memory of my very first spin class. I showed up all cocky thinking it would be a walk in the park. I stumbled out of the room an hour later with my butt completely kicked. The worst part was, the lady leading the class who did the entire workout along with the rest of us was hardly sweating - and looked to be about eight months pregnant.

That's 'cuz she had her resistance set on 2. ;)

Actually, that's one of the things that I think makes spin classes popular. Besides getting a hearty bike-like workout away from road traffic in any weather, there's no chance that anyone will get "dropped". Nobody's walking around to make sure that your resistance dial is set to a certain amount, so if your "8 out of 10" is a hundred watts easier than what the guy next to you is pushing, nobody notices or even cares.

Huh, I'll check out the spin class next time I go swim.

Ride a trainer, boring = Not going hard enough :)

Could always ask. In my class, the instructor would change out the pedals for his own use.

I'm taking a spin class where you can bring your bike and trainer.

Much better than being on a spin bike.

+1 We've got a Computrainer setup at work with probably seven stations that will hook into it. We ran it with a Sufferfest video that had been tied into the program somehow so when the video changed pace, the resistance units changed accordingly. I liked it a lot better than the spin classes I've attended.

I "conducted" a spin class with some of the guys once, and all I did was repeat what my lone Sufferfest copy does. No "jumps" (whatever nonsense those are), just some intervals and climbing and recoveries. They said they felt tired and well-worked, but unlike with the regular spin instructor, their legs hadn't turned to rubber.

I'd recommend the mnt. bike and spd cleat idea for sure. You could even wear the shoes to and from the class if you want and not have to swap shoes once you're there.

We host an informal (but still brutal) spin class at our house every Tue and Thurs. through the entire winter season (from time change to time change) and it's 'B.Y.O.T.', or beg borrow or steal a trainer once you get here if you don't have one. A good friend of ours sets up the music and workout routines, and the rest of us show up and hurt. There's no way I'd have the discipline to do it regularly if it wasn't happening in our own garage, so it's a benefit to us and all the others who show up. Best part is that it's casual, fun and free. Most folks are on Kinetic Road Machines, and one of the guys was nice enough to loan me some resistance rollers that I've been using for a while now and REALLY enjoying. Sometimes the guy leading is even on rollers. Impressive coordination to lead a class, change music, follow the clock and bark commands all while riding rollers. Good times.

The freedom to work as hard or easy as you like can be dangerous. It's possible to truly flog yourself on the trainer, but it takes diligence to make it happen class after class. You just have to do it, even though nobody will know if you don't.

-Jeremy