Any 'spinners' or other indoor cycling people here?

[fluffiphlox]

I've been doing it for a couple of months, twice a week. Enjoying it and helping with my running. Anyone else?

[PickledWilly]

Yes - me! I am a bit of an addict and go between 3 and 5 times a week (would be more if I didn't work full time). Absolutely love it. I recommend buying cleat shoes, makes the world of difference

[vlooby]

Love spinning. Haven't been on a bike for a while since pregnancy though. Must go soon (or use the bike in the garage!)

[Littlelouse]

Have been regularly spinning for 14 years! Not so much in the past few months though as my midwife banned me.

[thecapitalsunited]

I go twice a week with my DH. I love the fact that despite being a big fat knacker I can do something that doesn't hurt my joints and has made a huge difference to my cardio fitness. I've been doing it for about 2.5 years and have found that I can now go faster, harder and for longer than some of the other people in my class which is a huge achievement for me. I've got into a bit of a one sided competition with my DH over how far we can 'cycle' in a class. I have a much higher top speed so I always win but it's been getting close and it does give us both motivation to give it our all during a class.

My DH also runs and has said that it's made a huge difference to his stamina and his speed.

[SpaghettiAlphabetti]

I used to love spinning. Fast forward a few years, two babies and two stone gained and I'm not sure I could manage it anymore.

I've just started running on the treadmill to build up a bit of fitness before tackling my first Les Mills class in years... really want to get back into it

[thecapitalsunited]

Spaghetti, I'm sure you could manage it. I'm 17.5 stone and if I can do it, anyone can. I was slow as hell at first and had to use really low resistance but I now I can stand and attack faster than I could initially race while seated! I've come on so much that one of my instructors put me front and centre on her latest assessment video.

[fluffiphlox]

Sorry to be late back. My threads seemed to disappear. I have some old non-cleated cycling shoes (they have rigid soles). I might buy some cleats but my trainers and my walking boots both need replacing so the cycling shoes will have to wait.

[SpaghettiAlphabetti]

That's good to hear thecapital and good on you! DH says I should just get on with it and of course, the sensible part of me knows I can adjust the resistance and only do what I can manage but I'm not sure I'm confident enough.

I almost feel I need to do some gym work first for my own confidence as much as anything.

[fluffiphlox]

I think most people are so busy hanging on like grim death that they are not concerned about looking at others. If you fancy it, just do it.

[vlooby]

@SpaghettiAlphabetti unlikely you'd be going to this exact instructor, but she just posted this and thought of you!

instagram.com/p/BX2TPtwA3Ne/

[SpaghettiAlphabetti]

That's superb valooby. Thank you!

If only the bloody studio wasn't all mirrored walls. Mind you, they do switch the lights out once the class gets going.....

[QueenMortificado]

Yes and I bloody love it

Only downside: bikegina. Ouch.

[SpaghettiAlphabetti]

'Saddlebottom'. Ouch.

[fluffiphlox]

If your bike is set up properly you should be sitting on your sit bones not squashing your vulva. I doubt your vagina is even in the equation 😀🚴

[thecapitalsunited]

I don't think you can avoid putting at least some pressure on your vulva. Which is why the Team GB cyclers are told not to shave it - no hair increases the chances of getting sore vulvas. If the Team GB cyclists get sore vulvas then I don't see why spinners wouldn't especially since we won't be using custom made saddles which exactly fit our sit bones made out of the best materials known to man.

[fluffiphlox]

I expect you're right but I must say my nether regions have been more or less unscathed compared to when I last rode a rather ill-fitting road bike. That did nothing for my love life I can tell you. The sit bones thing was a real revelation to me and has made the experience so much more comfortable. I might even go back to outside cycling if I can set the bike up better. Happy spinning!

[QueenMortificado]

In classes where you stand up and sit down there is no way to avoid being bashed around in the nether regions

[fluffiphlox]

Yes we do lots of sitting and standing in rapid succession. That's taken a while to get the hang of, I must say.

[Ollivander84]

I use a gel seat cover. Had some time off, went back 8 weeks after spinal surgery but too soon in hindsight!

[thecapitalsunited]

I do find that some of the saddles at my gym seem to be tilted in just the right way to crush my undercarriage. Most of the time I don't be get any soreness but if I happen to get one of the fanny crushing bikes I sit there praying for a long standing section!