Doing my Very 1st Spin Class This Week - Pointers?

sparrow13

Cathlete
I've broken down and joined a gym! In almost nine years of working out I think I've spent a total of 3 months with a gym membership, but this deal - 3 months for $99 was too good to pass up. Besides I want to shake things up, fitness-wise. :D

So, any pointers? I'm actually a little nervous for some reason...

Sparrow
 
I did my first last weekend, except I started with a 3 hours spinning event to benefit a charity. Not. so. smart. :) :) :)

You will be fine. Bring lots of fluids and a towel. I was very intimidated but ended up having a good time and deciding to go to a spin class once a week from here on in.

good Luck!
 
I've broken down and joined a gym! In almost nine years of working out I think I've spent a total of 3 months with a gym membership, but this deal - 3 months for $99 was too good to pass up. Besides I want to shake things up, fitness-wise. :D

So, any pointers? I'm actually a little nervous for some reason...

Sparrow

I have been to a couple spin classes now and though I don't love it, it is a good workout. I would sugest padded shorts and/or a gel bike seat. Bring plenty of water and a towel. See if you can talk to the instructor before the class. She will help you set up your bike to the right height for you.

Good luck and enjoy! Let us know how it goes.

Carrie
 
Spinning WILL shake things up!

I've broken down and joined a gym! In almost nine years of working out I think I've spent a total of 3 months with a gym membership, but this deal - 3 months for $99 was too good to pass up. Besides I want to shake things up, fitness-wise. :D

So, any pointers? I'm actually a little nervous for some reason...

Sparrow

Listen to the instructor; don't be surprised by the intensity; & don't be discouraged if you can't keep up with the more experienced spinners. It will be hard on your butt, however, that will get better after awhile. I wore padded shorts liners for months, & found I didn't need them anymore. It's a great workout, and especially great for the legs!
 
I love spinning, I second the idea of a seat cover.
During the workout, you will be adding and lowering your resistance, the good thing about spinning is that you can work at your own pace, don't feel that you have to work as hard as everyone else. Start with low to medium resistance, you'll be adding resistance later. There is going to be music of course, and you'll be doing different things for every song.

Get there a little early so that you can chose your bike and talk to the instructor. He/she will show you how to adjust your bike for hight...you'll be adjusting your bike every time you go for a workout.
Of course, don't forget a towel and plenty of water.

The first 10 minutes are the hardest for me.

Sarah
 
Agree with everyone

By all means, get there about ten minutes early, introduce yourself to the instructor, and ask him/her to get you set up properly on the bike--primarily, your saddle height and the fore/aft adjustment of the saddle. If these are incorrect, you run the risk of damaging your knees. Along those same lines, make sure that you always have some resistance on the flywheel. Riding with no resistance results in the flywheel pulling your legs through the pedal stroke. That will also damage your knees.

Wear comfortable clothing (padded bike shorts if you own them). You will sweat a lot, not necessarily because of the workout itself, but because there is no airflow over you to evaporate the sweat as would happen if you were riding out-of-doors. T-shirts will get wet and heavy, so opt for a workout top that wicks moisture away from your body. Sit near a fan if you tend to sweat a lot.

Your instructor will probably mention that 30 minutes is not unreasonable for your first class. Your comfort on the bike (mainly your butt!) is going to be the biggest limiter. Don't feel awkward about doing your own cooldown and stretch while the class is going on. People don't need to know that it's your first class; they'll just think you have to leave early.

If you get bitten by the bug and decide that this is your new favorite form of cardio, consider getting a pair of cycling shoes. The stiff soles give you more power out of each pedal stroke because the energy is not wasted on a flexible sole of a regular crosstrainer-type shoe. You can also get SPD cleats on the shoes to allow you to clip in to the pedals. Most, if not all, spin bikes have SPD pedals. With your foot strapped into the pedal, you can only really get an up-and-down pedal motion going, but with clipless, you can really work the pedal stroke for the full 360 degrees.

Sorry, this got long. Have fun at your class!
 
I'm a spiinning instructor, and all the advice given is excellent! I would add that it's not a good idea to wear padded shorts AND use a padded seat. Too much padding tends to cause too much friction in certain areas! Also, having the bike adjusted properly is essential - there should be a slight bend in your knee when your foot is at the bottom of the pedal stroke. You shouldn't be too close to the handlebars, or too far away. Lots of water... One more thing - when you're standing and pedaling it helps to have a little more resistance on the fly wheel. It gives you more control until you get used to standing and pedaling. You might not go as fast, but you won't feel like you're going to fall off. :)
 
Thanks ladies!! I won't be able to get the shorts or bike seat before the class...think it will be in an issue?
 
Well, you might have a very sore butt or crotch. If it starts to get painful, just wrap a towel around your seat - that would help somewhat. Some gyms have seats you can use during the class. Don't let that soreness keep you from going back. Eventually your butt and other areas become accustomed to it. I usually wear biking shorts, but sometimes not and it's no longer painful.
 
I agree with jansherman that you will probably sore in the butt/crotch area (sorry, a bit crude probably). It lasts a little while but isn't REALLY bad. Good luck to you and enjoy!

Carrie
 
I have been spinning now for about a year. (and boy am I dizyy, ba-da-bump). I never bought padded shorts or a seat cover and I have been just fine. You will be fine for your first class and then you will be able to decide if you would be better with shorts or a cover.

Spinning is just so much fun. These days it is pretty much what I am doing for cardio.

Keep in mind that every instructor is different, so if you don't click with the first one, try someone else. I didn't really get in to spinning until I found a few instructors that I really liked.

Have fun!!!
 
Wow what a great deal. I would have joined too. The only thing I can say about spin is that it can be as hard or as easy as you want it to be. You can push yourself to the point of upchucking so pace yourself. Most importantly have fun!!!
 

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