spin class
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| i am curious to try one at my gym but kinda nervous. ive only heard how difficult they are. what are they like? im recovering for a knee injury and still getting back in shape - should i wait? not restricted from any activity with the knee injury. my gym offers a 30 min and a 45 min - do you think the 30 min would be more intense/harder? |
Anonymous
|
The great thing about spin is you can tailor it to your fitness level. You adjust the resistance on your bike to whatever works for you, and no one is the wiser. The bikes at my gym have digital gear displays, and when I started I would automatically just go 4 gears below whatever the instructor said. Also, there are times when the instructor will have you stand or do "jumps" (sit and stand quickly), but you can just do whatever feels right to you. Start in the back row if you're feeling timid.
I'm not sure how spin is for a knee injury, though. Maybe give it a try and see how it feels. |
Anonymous
|
Sometime not during class, have somebody who knows do a bike fit ESP given your injury. Write down or memorize the settings- ESP fore-aft seat adjustment and seat height. Also, keep your cadence up. Don't pedal slow w heavy resistance, as that can strain the knee. Don't even stand up (out of the saddle) if you don't want to. Go at your own pace.
Signed. A spin instructor and cyclist. |
Anonymous
|
New poster here. Another newbie spin question...what kind of shoes should I wear to my first spin class? I usually work out in my running shoes, but they seem so big and clunky for biking. I also have a pair of Puma retro sneakers that are a slimmer profile that I just wear to bang around in - almost seems like those would be better although they have no real support (do you need it?). What do you think? I don't have any of those fancy biking shoes.
Also I have some padded shorts I wear for occasional trail riding - are those okay to wear to spin class? Seems like you'd want to avoid sore tush in spin class just like on a real bike. Will definitely zero in on back row position... |
Anonymous
| Yes puma's and padded shorts- not running shoes. Can get clip in shoes later if you really get into it. |
Anonymous
| As an avid and longtime spinner I also recommend the low profile pumas, but either shoe will work. If the bikes have cages (they should) then put feet in there and tighten them to hold your feet in place. I hated spin initially, but grew to love it. If you commit to it then bike shoe with SPd clips are worth the investment. Being saddle sore s |
Anonymous
| Oops sometimes happens the first several classes. The effort is worth it! |
Anonymous
Exactly this. I would suggest just keeping an eye on the instructor's cadence and make sure you are matching it, so that you know you are working at the intended exertion level. I could care less if my resistance is set at the same level as anyone else in the class, as long as I'm feeling it in the way the instructor intends. There is a woman in my regular spin class who is cycling at a crazy fast pace when the rest of us are climbing a very steep hill, very slowly, and that drives me nuts. I know I shouldn't care but still, it makes me crazy. Don't be that woman!  In any case, totally go for it! I was terrified the first time I went to spin for the same reasons you put in your original post, but I am now totally addicted and go three times a week. Definitely follow the PP's advice about getting your bike adjusted correctly with help from the instructor. I would get to class a little early so you can get that help right off the bat. I started spinning with the seat too far from the handlebars and ended up really aggravating my left hip, which led to lots of knee tightness and it's taken a long time to correct it all (and some PT). So don't make the same mistake I made! If you do think you're going to want to spin regularly, definitely invest in clip-in shoes, they make all the difference in the world. My toes sometimes got numb when I wore sneakers and put my feet in the cages, which was really annoying. Have fun!
Oh, also, if you go to one class and the music/instructor aren't to your taste, try another class. The first class I took I absolutely loved the instructor's style and his playlist. Then I took another class on a saturday and the playlist was all club music and the instructor would keep getting off her bike and walk around yelling at us, which sucked. If I had taken her class first, I probably would've thought all spinning was like that and never would've returned, so don't judge by your first class if you hate the music, etc. |
Anonymous
|
I did my first spin class last weekend. I arrived early and the instructor helped me fit the bike to me. That's pretty important. Since she new I was new, she talked about different options so I could go at my own pace. I wore running sneakers, but the pumas would probably be better. Boy, my tush was sore after the class - so padded shorts would probably be good.
When I had a knee injury in high school, the physical therapy consisted of a lot of riding the stationary bike. So spin class is probably a good idea for you. Just don't over do it. |