Does spinning get more enjoyable?

This is David Lloyd Cyclone so I’m not sure if it’s standard for spin as I’ve never done it anywhere else. Tbh, no-one really looks at anyone else’s circles - it wouldn’t mean much anyway as you have your individual levels set in the app.

Press ups can be done on a bike by standing and leaning forward and back on the handlebars.

How do you do press-ups on a bike?!

I would HATE having my name and effort level on the screen, does anyone know if Everyone Active do this?

I have never enjoyed an exercise class in my life. I find them hard work and I do it because it’s good for me, not because I enjoy it. I don’t think I’ve ever felt endorphins from exercise. I love walking and getting outside, and being able to do things like walking up mountains, and I have enjoyed the team game element of a team sport. Suspect I might be a bit unusual in this, as everyone always says “oh you just need to find your right sport / class”. I really don’t think that’s the case for me!

@CCormorantStrikesBack Yes, definitely possible to do on a spin bike with the app. You'll need your phone or an ipad to see the class. Peloton resistance goes from 0 to 100, around 30 is a gentle cycle pace that you can pedal quite fast at, 40 upwards would be enough resistance to stand on. I just go by feel for the resistance, using enough for it to feel challenging but able to keep the right cadence. The gym bikes probably have cadence on the monitor which will be the same as the Peloton but if they don't then it's just about cycling in time to the beat of the music. Have fun 😁

I've been doing Spin/Studio Cycling for about 4 years mainly in our Sports Hall at work. Really enjoy the sessions and my fitness has improved.

i find my enjoyment and benefit of the class depends (a) on the bike (the ones we have at work are excellent, but I've been on some really ropey clunky old buggers, even in commercial gyms) and (b) the trainer.

if the trainer is just there 'ticking a box' shouting out a few instructions and not really challenging us, then it's boring and I find I have to do my own thing, ignore their instructions otherwise I wouldn't even break into a sweat.

the best trainer I have, has a pre-planned session each time with a mix of sprints, endurance over 1K, 2K, 3K / 1 min, 4 min, 6 min intervals etc), distance, hill-climbs and a blend of these.

ETA - I did a class in a commercial gym and he was getting us to do press-ups, body turns, standing up then hovering then seated. It was exhausting but my arms and shoulders got a good workout!

No, it is boring and I used to teach it! Also I don't agree with the scores on the screen, many less fit participants find it very demoralising. The room is usually dark and there are often pools of sweat on the floor under the bikes especially from big sweaty men.
In a closed room which is often much smaller than a regular studio, bugs are spread much more and it can cause niggles in knee ligaments or ankles. I get that people love it but I much prefer to run in the open fresh air for my cardio.
It was an easy thing to teach when I first qualified as an instructor along with aqua but it is definitely not as popular as it used to be and at every club I teach at, it is pump, barre, yoga and Pilates which are more popular.
I think it is like zumba - has peaked and is now waning.

I do two spin classes a week and really enjoy it. Each person has a circle with their name on on the screen which changes colour depending on effort level. The programme scrolls along the top and the idea is match the colours on your programme with your circle.

Padded shorts help stop the uncomfortable undercarriage.

Edit: It nearly killed me the first couple of times I did it but it’s improved my stamina dramatically and now, while it’s hard work, I don’t usually feel like I’m about to die at the end.

I'm very fit, but I find that Spin kills me! Partly because I follow the instructors when they tell me to turn up the resistance - I realised that I really don't have to. So maybe take it a bit easier for your first few weeks.

I think Spin also feels quite tough because it's just our legs & butt working. In Pump etc, your arms & torso do the work as well.

I've tried it twice but absolutely hated it both times due to the extremely loud shit music we had to listen to whilst the instructor screamed over the top, complete with flashing lights.

Give me a bike ride on a road any day. Or pilates. Or paddle boarding. Or anything not to do with a spin class.

Loathed every second of it. The noise, the killer competitiveness, the shouty bootcamp “instructor”, the sweaty humidity, the ground down ladyparts. If i could have worked out how to get off the bike and out of the room safely I would have left halfway through.

It’s the only class I do at the gym, I absolutely love it and squeeze in 2 50 minute classes during my lunchbreak throughout the week. They are virtual classes but I did enough with an instructor that I’m comfortable setting my own limitations etc. I leave feeling so great (and sometimes a bit queasy if I’ve overdone it!).
I never bothered with seat covers or padded shorts, once you’ve got over the first couple of weeks and stay diligent about going the pain went away (for me anyway).

I spin 3x a week. I don’t always stand in the standing bits due to dodgy ankle tendons. The good thing about spin is you can do it at your own pace.

i keep mean8ng to try the Peleton app on a bike in the spin studio when there’s no class on. Does anyone know if that’s possible?

It's just a bit demoralising when you go to a class and realise you are going to have to modify it to such an extent it's not worth doing (I found this with a new pilates class recently, others I have been able to work round).

Good point, I always talk to other instructors about my various restrictions and limitations including that one. Standing itself isn't the problem, it's the pushing down hard. Whereas for slower full leg exercises you can use breathing and posture to make it safer for the pelvic floor.

@EasilyDefined quite a few in my Spin class don't stand and just continue to sit through those bits. So that could be an option for you 😊

Oh in that case I think I'm out, thanks.

Oh, that's another thing, is much of it standing on the pedals? I have prolapses and it's something I've been advised against. I'm not balanced enough to do it on a real bike so never been an issue.

Bloody love spinning. It’s a class where you can really just let go and forget all worries. My gym holds classes in a dark room - it’s brilliant if you’re feeling antisocial!

In my experience the classes really vary depending on your instructor. My regular class is the best. fun, with lots of choreo like balancing on one arm in time with the music, tap backs etc. full body workout with press ups etc too. the instructor always perfectly times the music to the rpm so you can cycle on the beat which makes it more fun! she also starts with easier tracks so you warm up a bit before you get to climbing and sprinting.

I went to a different instructors class last week and it was SO different. It was very tough. legs only. no choreo, just climb race and sprint - he would ask us to speed up so we were not in time with the music which i hate. there was lots of “does it hurt? GOOD”.

you could maybe try a different instructor? I love spin with my usual instructor but hated it with the other!

Do you wear padded cycling shorts? I have got some somewhere.

I keep thinking about trying but am worried about getting saddle sore halfway through. We have a lot of virtual classes and my friend suggested I pick a quiet one and go on a bike at the back but I'm still nervous I won't be able to finish. I haven't ridden a bike for years and in the gym I only use the ones with a regular seat not a saddle.