How is spin class for maintaining/losing weight?

[Anonymous]

I've been using the treadmill at the gym for about six years (minus a break for lockdowns). I steadily lost 25 pounds over the first few years and have maintained the weight since then. The problem is that the treadmill is so terribly boring. Last month I decided to mix it up and try the spin classes at my gym. I love it and find it so much more fun than the treadmill. I get my heartrate up just as much during the spin class, but I always hear that running is the best way to keep weight off. Interested in the experiences of anyone who switched from running to spin.

[Anonymous]

Running burns more calories but spinning is easier on the joints.

I like a good mix of both. I'm more into running but supplement with spinning 2-3x/week. I only run outdoors though, I loathe treadmill running.

The best workout is the one you can consistently stick to. If spinning works better for you then stick to that. The best way to keep weight off, however, is to watch your diet.

[Anonymous]

I second mixing it up, but think you should try running outdoors! I find it meditative compared to spin classes where I’m more focused on the class.

[Anonymous]

Lift weights

[Anonymous]

I am obsessed with my spin classes. I also love running too.
Find a good balance, and make sure to throw in strength classes to build muscle.

Cardio is great, but should not be your only source of exercise

[Anonymous]

I lost more weight with spin than with running. The classes motivated me to push much harder than I had done alone and on the treadmill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Running burns more calories but spinning is easier on the joints.

I like a good mix of both. I'm more into running but supplement with spinning 2-3x/week. I only run outdoors though, I loathe treadmill running.

The best workout is the one you can consistently stick to. If spinning works better for you then stick to that. The best way to keep weight off, however, is to watch your diet.

You need a lot more information before making such a blanket statement. Sure mile for mile you will burn more, running 1 mile burns more than biking one mile but 60 min of each may or may not burn more calories.
Calories burned depend on how hard you are working. You can be working hard running or riding a bike if the pace and resistance are up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I lost more weight with spin than with running. The classes motivated me to push much harder than I had done alone and on the treadmill.

+1.

[Anonymous]

No one lost more weight doing one thing over other. They lost weight because they burned more calories than they consumed. That is how you lose weight. There isn’t a magical exercise. If you consume roughly the same as you burn you will maintain roughly the same weight.

Calories in and calories out is the only thing that matters. There are way to many variables to assign one exercise as being better than the other.

[Anonymous]

The purpose of cardio is heart health, not long-lasting weight loss. You need to lift weights.

Changing up your cardio routine is good because it helps prevent boredom.

[Anonymous]

Spin is so much more fun than running, which makes me want to do it. The best exercise is the one you can stick with and do consistently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The purpose of cardio is heart health, not long-lasting weight loss. You need to lift weights.

Changing up your cardio routine is good because it helps prevent boredom.

I definitely lost a good amount of weight after beginning regular cardio five years ago, and I kept it off.

[Anonymous]

Fantastic. If you do it the right way when you’re there.

[Anonymous]

Can someone describe a good spin class? At my gym the music competes with the instructor, but also the PA speakers are terrible (sound quality of a drive thru). She pretty much just tells you what we’re doing and counting time and reps. No motivational talk or whatever they should be doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can someone describe a good spin class? At my gym the music competes with the instructor, but also the PA speakers are terrible (sound quality of a drive thru). She pretty much just tells you what we’re doing and counting time and reps. No motivational talk or whatever they should be doing.

I’ve been to a bunch and EDG at Life Time is my favorite. They focus on watts and RPMS and keep the heartrate up the whole time.