Comments on: Spin Class http://www.fatcyclist.com/2010/01/25/spin-class/ It's like reality TV. Except it's real. And there's no TV. Fri, 04 Mar 2022 03:21:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: jdb http://www.fatcyclist.com/2010/01/25/spin-class/comment-page-3/#comment-547613 jdb Sun, 18 Dec 2011 18:49:27 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/?p=4031#comment-547613 not sure that was proper spinning.. the programme is 2 arms on the bar throughout none of this swining arms and hands behind back not sure that was proper spinning.. the programme is 2 arms on the bar throughout none of this swining arms and hands behind back

]]> By: coolstar http://www.fatcyclist.com/2010/01/25/spin-class/comment-page-3/#comment-540251 coolstar Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:31:16 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/?p=4031#comment-540251 Found this blog after doing my very first spin class today; it's hilarious, thanks! I'm not a good outdoor cyclist, just started again a month ago and an hour ride is a long one for me. I did the spin class for the usual reason a guy does; a woman I'm friends with swears by them (and she is in great shape, though she's not very athletic). I found it just as boring as I expected. The music means nothing to me as I ignored it and just concentrated on keeping a good cadence for 60 minutes while changing the resistance to add some variety. I found all the time spent out of the saddle to be, well ridiculous. I've watched enough good cyclists to know that on a real bike that's extremely inefficient and done very rarely. At least my instructor was low key (a guy, and probably not even gay) and not a complete asshat. I ignored him since I wouldn't have been able to complete 60 minutes spending 20 out of the saddle. He did forget to turn the fans on though, which I found just astounding. Found this blog after doing my very first spin class today; it’s hilarious, thanks!
I’m not a good outdoor cyclist, just started again a month ago and an hour ride is a long one for me. I did the spin class for the usual reason a guy does; a woman I’m friends with swears by them (and she is in great shape, though she’s not very athletic). I found it just as boring as I expected. The music means nothing to me as I ignored it and just concentrated on keeping a good cadence for 60 minutes while changing the resistance to add some variety. I found all the time spent out of the saddle to be, well ridiculous. I’ve watched enough good cyclists to know that on a real bike that’s extremely inefficient and done very rarely. At least my instructor was low key (a guy, and probably not even gay) and not a complete asshat. I ignored him since I wouldn’t have been able to complete 60 minutes spending 20 out of the saddle. He did forget to turn the fans on though, which I found just astounding.

]]> By: Songs For Spinning Class | Learn Spinning Classes Blog http://www.fatcyclist.com/2010/01/25/spin-class/comment-page-3/#comment-527634 Songs For Spinning Class | Learn Spinning Classes Blog Sun, 30 Oct 2011 23:32:43 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/?p=4031#comment-527634 [...] am a spin instructor and a long distance cyclist. Spinning is a great way to improve outdoor performance. The problem with outdoor cyclists is they [...] [...] am a spin instructor and a long distance cyclist. Spinning is a great way to improve outdoor performance. The problem with outdoor cyclists is they [...]

]]> By: lisa http://www.fatcyclist.com/2010/01/25/spin-class/comment-page-3/#comment-526744 lisa Mon, 10 Oct 2011 19:30:13 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/?p=4031#comment-526744 I stumbled upon your blog while searching info on spinning classes...gotta love Google! There are plenty of instructors out there like the one you described...and there are also plenty of real cyclists/athletes who want to recreate an outdoor training ride inside. I hope you have tried it again and maybe found of them! I look forward to reading more of your blog, your summary on your first class was great! I stumbled upon your blog while searching info on spinning classes…gotta love Google!

There are plenty of instructors out there like the one you described…and there are also plenty of real cyclists/athletes who want to recreate an outdoor training ride inside. I hope you have tried it again and maybe found of them! I look forward to reading more of your blog, your summary on your first class was great!

]]> By: jo http://www.fatcyclist.com/2010/01/25/spin-class/comment-page-3/#comment-515451 jo Mon, 28 Feb 2011 02:52:29 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/?p=4031#comment-515451 I am also a spin instructor, and I don't play around like that in my spin class. I teach people skills to take out on the road and I coach. Obviously it is not the same, but for a lot of people it is a nice intermediary step. A lot of people I see are beginners. They develop some confidence and some cardio ability, and turn into real bike enthusiasts. If you are expecting it to be exactly the same as outdoor riding, you will be disappointed. I echo lisa-- the know-it-all triathletes and cyclists are the worst. While it is not nearly as great as outdoor riding, my workout is probably the most effective 60 minutes you can spend in the gym. I am also a spin instructor, and I don’t play around like that in my spin class. I teach people skills to take out on the road and I coach. Obviously it is not the same, but for a lot of people it is a nice intermediary step. A lot of people I see are beginners. They develop some confidence and some cardio ability, and turn into real bike enthusiasts. If you are expecting it to be exactly the same as outdoor riding, you will be disappointed. I echo lisa– the know-it-all triathletes and cyclists are the worst. While it is not nearly as great as outdoor riding, my workout is probably the most effective 60 minutes you can spend in the gym.

]]> By: lisa http://www.fatcyclist.com/2010/01/25/spin-class/comment-page-3/#comment-512644 lisa Wed, 12 Jan 2011 04:33:21 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/?p=4031#comment-512644 I am a spin instructor and a long distance cyclist. Spinning is a great way to improve outdoor performance. The problem with outdoor cyclists is they don't understand how the spin bike and routines work. The spin bike is not a road bike, nor is it a mountain bike. As such, it is not going to perform the same. The intense intervals that you do within the hour don't and can't mimic the outdoor ride. They do utilize the same factors outdoor riding uses in a different way. You rarely climb out of the saddle on a road or mountain bike, particularly for longer than a few minutes, but the upright positioning of the standing climb builds your core - which helps on the road quite a bit but is hard to target on road. That improves your cycling. For a 60 minute class, a time most cyclists would consider an easy ride, recovery for any length of time is counter-intuitve as the indoor bike is different from the outdoor bike, and the change ups, both in resistance and speed, emulate the same system of cardio and muscle building that outdoor interval training does. One handed, jumps, etc, that is garbage, I'll give you that. I encourage any cyclist to talk to the instructors and challenge them to explain how the indoor cycling improves outdoor performance before deciding you know best how it effects your training. Most instructors can tell you how the training not only benefits your outdoor performance, but also why the same workout equally benefits non-cyclists because of the core aerobic and interval training the class provides for both overall fitness and enhanced cycling performance. I HATE know-it-all roadies in my class who don't understand how the workout works, doubt my experience and then flippantly complain and leave all smug, or worse, do their "own" workouts. Not as much as they hate me in the spring when I breeze by their dumb asses with my foundation built for cycling without the 3 or 4 week adjustment time. I am always smiley in September when there now humbled padded bottoms are eagerly awaiting instruction to be followed to the letter. Talk to your instructor or find another one who knows about cycling and can explain how the bike works to your benefit. Also, even if he's in head to tow exte ondo and screws his own looks on before class, any guy spinning in an aerodynamic position has no blankin' clue what he's doing. Just some advice (nor does the shaved leg guy, obviously) good luck! I am a spin instructor and a long distance cyclist. Spinning is a great way to improve outdoor performance. The problem with outdoor cyclists is they don’t understand how the spin bike and routines work. The spin bike is not a road bike, nor is it a mountain bike. As such, it is not going to perform the same. The intense intervals that you do within the hour don’t and can’t mimic the outdoor ride. They do utilize the same factors outdoor riding uses in a different way. You rarely climb out of the saddle on a road or mountain bike, particularly for longer than a few minutes, but the upright positioning of the standing climb builds your core – which helps on the road quite a bit but is hard to target on road. That improves your cycling. For a 60 minute class, a time most cyclists would consider an easy ride, recovery for any length of time is counter-intuitve as the indoor bike is different from the outdoor bike, and the change ups, both in resistance and speed, emulate the same system of cardio and muscle building that outdoor interval training does. One handed, jumps, etc, that is garbage, I’ll give you that. I encourage any cyclist to talk to the instructors and challenge them to explain how the indoor cycling improves outdoor performance before deciding you know best how it effects your training. Most instructors can tell you how the training not only benefits your outdoor performance, but also why the same workout equally benefits non-cyclists because of the core aerobic and interval training the class provides for both overall fitness and enhanced cycling performance. I HATE know-it-all roadies in my class who don’t understand how the workout works, doubt my experience and then flippantly complain and leave all smug, or worse, do their “own” workouts. Not as much as they hate me in the spring when I breeze by their dumb asses with my foundation built for cycling without the 3 or 4 week adjustment time. I am always smiley in September when there now humbled padded bottoms are eagerly awaiting instruction to be followed to the letter. Talk to your instructor or find another one who knows about cycling and can explain how the bike works to your benefit. Also, even if he’s in head to tow exte ondo and screws his own looks on before class, any guy spinning in an aerodynamic position has no blankin’ clue what he’s doing. Just some advice (nor does the shaved leg guy, obviously) good luck!

]]> By: Spin Freak http://www.fatcyclist.com/2010/01/25/spin-class/comment-page-3/#comment-512546 Spin Freak Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:51:22 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/?p=4031#comment-512546 Great read! Hey- have you seen these- www.b-bands.com Handlebar covers for indoor cycling & Spinning. Pretty sweet. Great read!

Hey- have you seen these- http://www.b-bands.com

Handlebar covers for indoor cycling & Spinning.

Pretty sweet.

]]> By: Treadmills http://www.fatcyclist.com/2010/01/25/spin-class/comment-page-3/#comment-506764 Treadmills Mon, 15 Nov 2010 21:43:55 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/?p=4031#comment-506764 @Rabbie: That's a great comment, great work and I agree. @Rabbie: That’s a great comment, great work and I agree.

]]> By: James http://www.fatcyclist.com/2010/01/25/spin-class/comment-page-3/#comment-484559 James Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:12:41 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/?p=4031#comment-484559 Great post! Competition is absolutely the best part of spinning. Great post!

Competition is absolutely the best part of spinning.

]]> By: Biker Hiker Gal http://www.fatcyclist.com/2010/01/25/spin-class/comment-page-3/#comment-482238 Biker Hiker Gal Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:46:05 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/?p=4031#comment-482238 So, you're gonna dis on one of my favorite spin instructors huh? And think she might not read it? Or that she might be ok with it? tsk tsk tsk A little fame go to your head perhaps? Since it was your first spin experience, let me enlighten you. With 15 years of biking under my belt, let me just say that spin class is spin class...outdoor cycling is outdoor cycling. You can't compare the two...it's like comparing apples and, well, quite frankly, bratwurst. And yes, it does get mundane...and since you ARE on a spin bike, you CAN pretend you're on different terrain, with different bikes, trying different things, and it's GREAT!! And does make me a better outdoor cyclist! I'm not retarded enough to think I could actually RUN on my mtn bike like that, or put one hand behind my back while climbing Suncrest on my road bike. But doing it in spin class gives variety and works other muscles. Oh, and you happen to know me...from long long ago...and you were very funny then also...writing for WP Mag...with an office next to mine...remember those days? It has been a long time. Maybe we'll meet on the road one day...and maybe I'll have one hand behind my back...and just maybe I'll be at a level 7.29...cuz that's just the kind of gal I am. :) So, you’re gonna dis on one of my favorite spin instructors huh? And think she might not read it? Or that she might be ok with it? tsk tsk tsk A little fame go to your head perhaps? Since it was your first spin experience, let me enlighten you. With 15 years of biking under my belt, let me just say that spin class is spin class…outdoor cycling is outdoor cycling. You can’t compare the two…it’s like comparing apples and, well, quite frankly, bratwurst. And yes, it does get mundane…and since you ARE on a spin bike, you CAN pretend you’re on different terrain, with different bikes, trying different things, and it’s GREAT!! And does make me a better outdoor cyclist! I’m not retarded enough to think I could actually RUN on my mtn bike like that, or put one hand behind my back while climbing Suncrest on my road bike. But doing it in spin class gives variety and works other muscles.

Oh, and you happen to know me…from long long ago…and you were very funny then also…writing for WP Mag…with an office next to mine…remember those days? It has been a long time. Maybe we’ll meet on the road one day…and maybe I’ll have one hand behind my back…and just maybe I’ll be at a level 7.29…cuz that’s just the kind of gal I am. :)

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