FYI, Spin & endurance

[kristina]

I just wanted to share something I realized recently. I started doing SPIN for the first time ever about 6 months ago (2 times per week). In addition, I do step 1-2 days a week, and kickbox 1 day. The other 2 cardio days are up for grabs, I switch em around. Also in the am Weight training x 2, yoga x 3. The only new thing was spin; in addition to the gym I've been doing Cathe for years.
Well, I hadn't done IMAX or MIC for at least 4 months--work has been slow and I have been able to make it to the gym for the most part. I pulled them out this past week and let me tell you, for the first time ever I could do the tucks in interval 10, and I had to add a riser in MIC. I could not believe it! Although both tapes were still tough tough workouts, I was still ready to go when I finished even after increasing the difficulty. Spin has really increased my endurance. I was quite pleasantly surprised, didn't even notice it happening! For what it's worth, thought I'd mention it. I never thought I would like spin, but now I am really addicted to it. It's a great addition to a good cross-training program. Take care! Kristina

 

[fitnutty]

WOW Kristina - that is so awesome!! Congrats! I just recently posted a topic on IMAX - wondering if I could ever conquer it - and after hearing you say you were able to do interval 10, tucks and all, and then some - well, hats off to you!!! I have toyed with a few spin classes in my workout week, not terribly consistently yet, but you make me think that would be a great thing to do. Can you describe your spin class a little. I just wondered how different these classes can be? Thanks and WAY TO GO!!!

 

[kristina]

RE: Classes

Thanks! My gym has three levels of spin, 1-3. The class I do on Tuesday is a "2": 1 hour. We probably do 40% sprints, the rest is resistance work. Lots of standing, changing positions, changing hand grip position etc.

The saturday class is a killer. It's an hour 15, and we do lots and lots of long cardio sprints plus the resistance.

The thing about Spin is you get what you put into it. I generally push myself on every single song as if it were the last song of the workout. The thing that makes a class harder for me is the long, long sprints. The saturday class we start going at 70%. Then she goes up and down 70-80-90-100-90-80-70. Each level lasts 20 seconds the first set. Then we recover and go at 40 seconds per level. IT is a killer. My rule is that if you are chatting with your neighbor, you aren't working hard enough. We walk out of there like wet noodles. But is feels good! I am hoping I find comparable classes when I move to Los Angeles from here in Las Vegas. I just love this gym. But I am sure you can toughen-up a class if you aren't being challenged, just by adding resistance or riding low instead of trunk up.

I hope you do give it a try. It is a wonderful cross training device, and because it is no impact, it's a great break on the joints and tendons.

Have a great holiday!

 

[fitnutty]

RE: Classes

OH MY GOODNESS, Kristina!!! Those spin classes of yours sound a wee bit (ok, tremendously ) more intense than the one I have found! That is an awesome class. I live sort of in a more rural area, so while I'm just thankful that there even exists a class close by, it's certainly not like those you describe!! Tough enough for me though!! I think I'd fall off my bike in your class, LOL!! We go through sprints, climbs etc., but my instructor only goes about 40-45 min and will only once in a while get to 70%. I guess that just shows how different they can be. Thanks for explaining them to me, so I could see the difference. Hope you had a great holiday yourself!!!

 

[Andrea]

Kristina

What gym is this at? I live 100 miles from Vegas and would do a day pass to try out a spin class every once in a while. Especially since I'm in town a couple times a month. Do you know when the "1" classes are held?

Andrea

 

[kristina]

RE: LVAC

Hi Andrea. I go to the LVAC (Las Vegas Athletic Club) on Sahara (at Decatur).
They have lots of Spin classes. Unfortunatley,you can't go by the schedule regarding levels. They are all pretty challenging, it seems. (I have never taken the early weekday ones). But, if you do Cathe, you can handle any of them; you just have to go for it. They are on line, I THINK at lvac.com. You can check out the schedule there.
Off the top of my head, on the weekend, there is Friday at 6 am, 10:30, and 4. On Saturday, 9 am (hard) and 1 pm (moderate).
Mo-Fri in the morning at 6, a bunch sprinkled during the day, and mo-th an evening class at either 6 or 6:30. Plus they have 2 other locations.
The easiest class I have taken so far is Monday at 6 pm. Normally I take step on Mondays at that time, but if the instructor is out I will go take Spin instead. It's still a good class, but only goes about 45 minutes so it isn't as hard.
I hope that helps you!