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| *Vultures Knob>>>Cycling |
What is your opinion on spinning classes? |
I would like to take it up if my physical therapist gives me the green light (bad knees from running). Does anyone have advice for a beginner? What to look for in a good class? What are some good shoes and pants? And what kind of results have you or someone you know had? I'd like to try it too. I cycle outdoors a lot, but would like to try this for winter training. Please note that I have bad knees - too much running and basketball - cycling is not only OK but is many times recommended by docs as therapy. Depends on the type of problem I guess. My knees feel great now. While I never did this, I understand some classes allow you to use you own seat, pedals, shoes (of course) from your own bike. I don't know if this is common or even done anymore or I'm full of crap and remembered it all wrong! I'll check for answers here later. Spinning is a great exercise, I love it. If u are a beginner you should pace yourself, I recommend you get a pulse (heart rate meter), it will tell you how you are doing and if you should slow down or not. Spinning is a demanding exercise so be careful with the knees. Soon you will have a great physical condition. Congrats... spinning can be a lot of fun, but just like everything else at a gym, it depends on how good the instructor is also, wear the same cycling shorts you would wear on a real bike shoes: a stiff soled shoe (like Vans) will work just fine Spinning classes are a great way to get into shape but nothing beats the outdoors. There are some obvious factors to consider but safety is one and it depends on where you ride. As for the spinning class in the health realm of things, well, biking is a lot better than running. It is considered a much lower impact on the knees, especially the front of the knee called that patella. Great for beginners and it is safe and it can be motivating to see others doing what you are doing. A good class should have a good 15 minute warmup and a solid 10 minute cool down or until the heart rates have slowed down. Regular athletic shoes are fine to start with and a pair of athletic shorts and a sports bra and top for a woman will be sufficient. I started at a weight of 225 pounds and I am now 170. I did only cycling and some core exercises on the off days. You can do it!!! Go for it. NEVER GIVE UP!!! You can attain all of your goals, screw what others want, it's all about you when you get in the saddle. The ride of truth, so be true to yourself. Have a super day. Anthony. California Anthony just about covered it all... 10 points to him. A few things to add though, and a little bit of background info. I've been doing spinning class once a week for a year now. In June I started mountain biking, and in July I bought my first road bike. The spinning classes defintely helped build up my leg strength for when I took up real cycling. As longas the instructor is good, you'll have a great time. If you do the class right (don't just go through the motions), you'll get a HUGE cardio workout. Since I give every class my all, I tend to get the "sweaty gumballs" award in my class. I started out with class typically wearing some sort of workout shorts. I'd recommend a dri-fit type of material to help keep you cool when you sweat. The same goes for your shirt. Spinning bikes tend to have bigger, and more padded seats like a mountain bike, so after a few classes your butt should be "adjusted" to the feel. Bike shorts are not necessary, and I only started wearing them for class after I bought my road bike (I have to wear bike shorts if I'm gonna ride that one anything over a few miles!) Most spinning bikes at gyms also come equipped to fit SPD style bike cleats, but regular sneakers will do just fine. Again, I just started wearing bike shoes after I started real cycling. For a beginner, expect your butt to be a bit uncomfortable at first if you're not used to sitting on a bike seat for 45-60min. Don't be afraid to take a rest during the class if you feel whipped. Just slow down a little, loosen the tension, and get back into it after a minute. If your classmates have been into it awhile, expect that they'll probably be better then you. Hydration and nutrition are extremely important also. Take water with you, and drink lots of water the night before your class. Don't be afraid to sweat during class. Don't go to class on an empty stomach, and make sure you replace what you expelled afterwards. If you do it right, you'll burn through thr calories like they're going out of style. Good luck and happy spinning to you!! Great workout - with the caveat that it's up to you to make it hard. Many runners when starting cycling have a hard time getting the pulse up there, because on a bike you really have to work hard, but when running you're naturally putting out a lot of effort. tip 2: they call it "spin" for a reason. Spin those pedals fast, not slow. The music helps and the instructor will give tips. This is important for your knees. tip 3: bike shorts, or that style with no liner/padding, you can get at any sporting goods place. If you're modest go with running shorts over them. I prefer it when ladies don't, of course. results: it's interval training. great cardio. You'll get a good aerobic post-burn going, rapid development of muscle tone esp butt and quads (for a runner). Your hammies and knees might be sore at first - stretch and spin. Get the instructor to set you up on the bike correctly. Small changes in position matter, for comfort, injury prevention, and efficiency. Most classes with a room full of spin bikes are going to have a certified instructor. There are various "certifiers" out there, but they all seem to have basic competency. Finally - probably not an issue for you, but if you're a heavy sweater... get a small floor fan and bring it. Makes a big difference. I travel frequently and have spun in gyms all over the country. |
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