Spinning

[PlaymobilPirate]

I'm off to my 3rd ever spinning class in 20 minutes.

I'm not fit and I'm a couple of stone overweight so obviously it's not easy! But - the instructor shouts numbers (120rpm up to 170rpm ish I think) and I can't hit them! I'm going as fast as my little legs can but I just can't!

Is this normal at first or am I doing it wrong? Any tips please??

Are you using too much resistance? Can you turn that down a bit?
I wouldn’t stress over it. It’s only a target.
Sometimes I cover the screen with my sweat towel and just do the best I can if I’m not really feeling it that day.
Keep going though. It gets easier.

I enjoyed that session much more - struggled on Monday which was my first one!

I only hit 144 rpm with barely any tension but I can do the standing up stuff much easier - I could barely do any last Monday!

LOVE a spin class, you will get addicted! Just do what you can and you'll soon see your fitness improve.

Not sure I'll ever LOVE it but I've booked in for another 3 next week (I'm trying to get fitter fast for my wedding)

When does it stop feeling like your under carriage has been hammered though??

Get a padded seat!!! I got mine in Asda for £12 and it’s well worth every penny.
As others have said, cover the screen or if it’s an option don’t switch it on, I never do. Just do the best YOU can do and ignore everyone else. You’ll become addicted to it by the time you’ve done 6 classes!!!

Buy some cycling shorts - they do cheap ones in Sports Direct - but don't wear knickers as the seams will hurt! The padding in them really makes a difference (I got knee-length ones to cover my thighs). Also, ask for guidance about the best handlebar positions for each type of cycling stance, as that can mitigate some of the pain.
And ignore the numbers. Push yourself and watch yourself get better very quickly. You're only competing against yourself, not the others.

Give up on standard spinning and find some les mills RPM classes.

Spinning is horrible. I can’t cope with just having uni child able numbers barked at me.

RPM is all about doing the best you can and balancing load and speed in different ways. Other than “ sprint .... fast feet ... go for it “ or “ stay as close to the bear as you can “ there are no numbers and they never tell you what gear that’s between you and your bike.

So initially you can work with lower speeds and easy gears and build up to challenge yourself.

Also my instructor actively says “ if it’s your first RPM it’s fine to leave after track 4 and stretch before you go, next time add a track on “.. so you start by doing half a session if you want.

I still can’t go faster than about 130 and I’ve been doing it ages , but I challenge myself a bit more each time.

( and remember the gears aren’t absolute so 6 on one bike might feel like 5 on another or 7 on a 3rd)

Don't think I could take a padded seat!

That's good info about the hand positioning - I wondered why there were different ones!

It's just a PureGym but it's handy and cheap so will stick with it as I'd not go if i had to travel to one.

If you keep going your ass gets hardened to it and will no longer be sore!

I've been again today - my arse is killing! I hit some of the numbers though and wasnt the slowest there today!