Spinning classes, good training?
 

So I've been wanting to do the spinning classes at my gym, I figure it'll be good training to get back in shape. Who here do spinning and whats the general consensus on it? Do you think they help? I want it to help me get in shape for tracks season so would this be a good way?

Yes Spinning classes are awesome. A lot depends upon the instructor, as well as your desire t push yourself.

Spinning last winter inmproved my stamina and climbing imensely over the level it was at in the previous fall.

check peoples' response to this question by searching the Training and Nutrition forum. in general, it's good aerobic training, but that's about it. Because the bikes are stationary, your body will use lots of shortcuts not available on a real bike in order to get the work done (unless you're super focused on form).

wangster, why not try something different at your gym, do they offer other classes? climbing, pilates, karate, dance...

you can always go out to prospect park and spin...imho!

I do one at my gym once or twice a week. I hate riding in the winter at this point (when there's snow & ice) so it's my chance to tone up.

I've also been running more which is great exercise.

- E

Nah... my gym sucks... just spinning and some dance/arobics classes... Not really into that... although all the attractive girls at my gym are in those classes...hmmm... you might be onto something... good call, dc.

You may want to read this interview on the nyvelocity.com website about spinning which may give you a good insight into the benefits of spinning.

http://www.nyvelocity.com/content.php?id=174

spinning classes will certainly get you into shape, providing you push yourself. like any stationary trainer, you will get a better workout (on average) per minute than on the road - especially when it comes to city riding. you can push yourself much harder when there's no coasting (none of that here anyway :)), no lights, no traffic, etc.

if the instructor's no good, you very likely will not like the class. and there are certainly drawbacks - no wind in your hair, terrible music at loud volume, no actual 'speed', and no real excitement to speak of. but, like i said, if you push yourself, it's pretty much like riding a 45 minute time trial. i usually push myself right to the verge of hurling, and when the class is over, i'm spent. try to leave yourself enough gas to ride home on.

i took quite a few classes a few years ago before a cycling trip to the pyrenees, and it was great preparation. these days, i'm more likely to go ride outside, or ride the trainer at home.

and hey - if you're hetero, single, and male, you'll be in the happy minority.

Incredible...............

i'd rather get rollers at home and listen to music. or just go out and ride. it sounds like spinning is good if it's done right, so there's an option, but just a set of rollers sounds as good if you do it right, more fun, and it works your balance.

I just think it might help to have someone there to motivate and also other with me spinning along. But I guess that depends on the instructor. Training at home on rollers or a trainer's always been really boring because your stationary AND by yourself. I think I'm gonna go check it out tomorrow after work and see how it is.

rollers or a trainer at home is a better way to go in my opinion. In fact, a lot of bike shops have "spinning"esque classes for trainers. What I have always heard is that you are much better training on your bike in the position you will be riding in. Stationary bikes tend to promote bad posture on your bike.

huh, i wasn't thinking posture so much as putting on a funny movie or cranking slayer (good riding music)...but that's a good point, too...the hard part at home would be structuring it with a workout in mind. just getting on rollers and going hard and going for a long time isn't enough. goals of certain rpm, or heart rate or this or that--that would really help out.

motivation for hire

now, that's boring

This is why I tend to train on my road bike with computer at home. That said, there are a plethora of video type indoor training routines. Or you can make one up yourself I suppose. I personally just know why gears and rpms result in a certain amount of work and go that way.