Spinning classes --effective cross training?

marianimal

marianimal

Cathlete
I am thinking about taking spinning classes twice a week but I wanted to get some input. I do Cathe's workouts 5-6 days a week and spinning would replace one or two of those workouts.

ANyone doing spinning and how do you like it? Results?
 
Spinning is a great sweatfest that is low impact. I will either take a spinning class or do the elliptical once or twice a week to alternate from the higher impact of stepping and running. As far as results I lost 5 lbs when I added spinning in without changing anything else and my legs are a lot stronger and look more toned.

Just to warn you, your butt is going to be really sore after the first couple of times doing this. But keep going because it does get better. Also, bring water and a towel the the class.

The problem that I am having with spinning now is that the good instructor left and the instructor now has really bad music! It is amazing how this effects your workout :( .

If you go, have fun!!! Also, like I said give it a couple of tries before you decide if you like it or not. It is just really different from Cathe workouts and something that you might need to get used to. Let us know how it goes.

Karin
 
Since I bike outdoors and do spinning alot I do have biking shorts that have some padding on them. I use these, but they are pretty expensive and you can't really use them for anything else if you don't like spinning. In the class most likely your instructor will have you sit some of the time and stand the other part of the time. If you are getting pretty sore you can stand. Also, maybe put a couple of days in between spinning workouts at first to try to let the pain subside.

Have fun and let me know if you like it.

Karin
 
I love spinning too, I've been doing it regularly once a week for a couple months now. I'm thinking about going more during this summer. My legs firmed up and gained strength quickly. Works up a sweat like no other for me.

The 'sore butt syndrome' is no joke! And my first time spinning, my legs weren't strong enough to stand all of the times the instructor was standing (and I really wanted to because my bum HURT) but by the second time I was strong enough to be able to, it really surprised me.

I use a gel seat cover, bought it at Target for $20-something..helps alot!
 
oh man, I LOVE spinning! It is indeed a fantastic low impact sweatfest ;) I think it is fab for shocking the body and mixing it up.


Live with sincerity, love with passion, and dance like you mean it.

Debbie
 
I absolutely LOVE spinning! When you have a good instructor with good music that is. Otherwise it can be very tedious. I find it to be a great cross trainig workout. The gel seat cover is a good idea without investing in the bike shorts. I would also invest in a heart rate monitor. I've done a lot of researching, and thru trial and error found out that when you let your heart rate stay too high for too long, you end up burning glycogen (carbs) instead of fat. I leave the class and could eat a dozen bagels. Now, this doesn't happen to everybody, but several great spinning instructors told me to keep my heart rate at about 75% most of the class, and I don't walk out wanting to eat a bagel factory. They confirmed what I already knew. Anyway, hope this helps. Spinning definitely made my legs stronger. As for firmer...well, my legs are my big problem area, so I don't know what will ever help! But then again, I never made it to class more than 2x a week. The rest of the time is CAthe, elliptical, etc....
 
I absolutely LOVE spinning! When you have a good instructor with good music that is. Otherwise it can be very tedious. I find it to be a great cross trainig workout. The gel seat cover is a good idea without investing in the bike shorts. I would also invest in a heart rate monitor. I've done a lot of researching, and thru trial and error found out that when you let your heart rate stay too high for too long, you end up burning glycogen (carbs) instead of fat. I leave the class and could eat a dozen bagels. Now, this doesn't happen to everybody, but several great spinning instructors told me to keep my heart rate at about 75% most of the class, and I don't walk out wanting to eat a bagel factory. They confirmed what I already knew. Anyway, hope this helps. Spinning definitely made my legs stronger. As for firmer...well, my legs are my big problem area, so I don't know what will ever help! But then again, I never made it to class more than 2x a week. The rest of the time is CAthe, elliptical, etc....
 
I tried bike shorts under my regular workout capris, but my bum was still sore. The first time, all I could think about was how sore my seat was! The second time was worse. The 3rd time, it crossed my mind for about 5 minutes and that was it. I think its sort of a ritual you have to endure ...;-)
 
It has been on my mind to try spinning for the longest time. I need to spare my bad feet and all the high impact I have been doing is so bad for me. Kick Max which I love, is killing me. I wish I didn't have stairs also. I read that you should definitely get bike shorts or a gel seat. There's a beginner class Friday nights at the Y and I am going to try it. Thanks for reminding me that I want to try one. :D Let us know if you like it too. Happy spinning to you!
Bobbi "Chicks rule!"http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/tiere/animal-smiley-032.gif
Tell me what you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? -Mary Oliver
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Bobbi, I hope that you have a great time at the spinning class. Let us know how it goes. It really is nice to alternate high impact with lower impact days. Plus, it helps that it is a real kick your booty workout.

Karin
 
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