Spinning, fat legs? Read this...

Hmmm...not sure how credible that is, but it was sure interesting. You sure hear a lot of different opinions about fitness from "professionals".

I do wish so much of it were not trial and error.

I only occasionally go to a spin class at a local gym, maybe once a month or less, so I feel I am in no danger of Kobe beef thighs and it's just a source of cross-training and a way to get away from my living room workout area occasionally.

Anyone else have personal experience with a lot of spinning?
 
The article doesn't discuss cadence or tension levels. If someone were pedaling at a high cadence (rpm), without tension, spinning would be an ineffective exercise. Lots of people think the faster their legs move, the harder they're working. Easy to spot since their glutes are bouncing off the seat. If they were on a real bike, they'd be going nowhere despite all the leg action.

I think the article writer saw the results of poor technique and condemned the exercise.

Off topic, but I'd be wary of a trainer who helps get his female clients to 9% bodyfat or claims he did.

Debra
 
All I know is when I started spinning 2-3 times per week using Spinervals (hill climbs, ladders, jumps, one-legged spins, intervals) my legs slimmed down. My cardio capacity has also improved, allowing me to jump higher and longer in Cathe's step videos.

Maybe that trainer's subject decided to give up ice cream sundaes at the same time she gave up spinning! There are so many variables. Remember when they said the stair climber made your butt fat? Didn't they say that was if you leaned on the handles?

Whatever... it's not going to make me give up spinning! I love it!
 
There's nothing like empirical data, eh? If it made your legs more slim, then it obviously doesn't always thicken them. I'd do it more if I belonged to a gym, but I don't want to spend the money, and more than once every 10-14 days bores me, much like swimming.

Still, icklemoley finds some interesting stuff.
 
Debra.....

my dear, you hit the nail right on the head with your reply. In spinning people who aren't pulling some gear(tension) are the ones who never get anywhere. The ones who are in great shape are the ones pulling higher gear(tension). I have a hard time with the whole article. I've been spinning for over 2 years and it's basically an interval type workout when done correctly. So to say it doesn't work is just not correct. It's high resistance if you make it that way. You can condemn any type of fitness activity if it's done incorrectly.
For example, tons of people just log worthless, endless miles on treadmills with no goals or idea of what they are doing. So, should we just say treadmills aren't worth a darn also?
Trevor :)
 

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