To ask for your advice about Spin

[Flossyfloof]

I am really trying to get fitter, am a little bit overweight but look ok. I do Pilates and Yoga and Zumba all once a week. I’ll walk on the treadmill on a couple of other days. I’ve been trying to do a Spin class but honestly I can’t do it!! I did about 10 mins and almost fell off the bike! I don’t understand why it is so hard. I know I need to improve my stamina but I just don’t know if I can ever stay for a whole spin class. If you have struggled withspin and mastered it or if you have any advice I’d be so grateful. Or AIBU to even try? I’m heading for 60, fast.

People stop exercising because they think they can’t do it. They think they’re going to die or their heart is going to explode. It isn’t. The human body has huge endurance. The only thing that’s stopping you here is you hating the discomfort. Understandable! But when it gets uncomfortably hard, just sit down and reduce he resistance until you feel better. But don’t stop moving. You can do it. You just need to make yourself do it. If you can do an hour’s Zumba class, you can easily spin.

Also, start increasing the intensity of time in the treadmill, either by introducing short runs or an incline. Monitor your heart rate and do intervals of harder work to start building your cardio fitness.

Alternatively, if you can manage it, have a PT once a week who can coach you, encourage you and make your exercise as effective as it can be. It’s very easy to stop when it’s hard but a PT will encourage you to keep going and often having someone there is enough to make you push yourself.

Good luck.

It's hard but you just have to keep going back. Don't be afraid to take a break and sit down or slow down for a bit. But keep it short and then get back into it. Also I found it was helpful to turn the resistance up slowly. And have a chat with the instructor at the start or end of the class. IF they aren't supportive then find a different class. I love it now but never go longer than 2 weeks between classes as my arse and thighs would never forgive me!

Flossy I could have written this post. I tried spin 3 times never again. It hurt my lady parts so much felt like I'd been kicked in that area by a big bloke with hobnail boots on. I hated the dark room booming music and that bloody bike. I do body pump and gym also like you treadmill, and try cross trainer too.

Would have liked to have enjoyed spin but it's just not for me. Good luck with whatever you do, think it's just important to keep active as we approach the big 60

Spin can be tough, that's for sure! You won't be able to 'keep up' with the fast pedalling at the beginning. Maybe arrive early, set up a bike at the back, and have a word with the instructor to say you'll be taking it slow to build up your fitness, so he/she knows why you're going half speed! Do try to keep to the rhythm of the music, half speed, and make sure to vary your resistance - light for faster sections, heavy for 'hills'. I never found I needed as many turns on the resistance wheel as they say....

You can always reduce the resistance on the bike. I am still tinkering with it, not really sure what they want from me when they say racing pace.

Thank you! I have tried a few times to do couch to 5k, or my own version (much slower), but something always gets in the way. It’s so frustrating - I mean things like Christmas when they gym was closed a lot and when it wasn’t I was busy,
I genuinely don’t feel I can do more than 15 mins at spin but I was good today - even thought there wasn’t a class on they let me in the spin room (it’s in full view of Reception, so safe) and I had a go on my own, so as not to lost my impetus as I missed today’s class.

PS I'm nearly 60 too...

I definitely keep the resistance low! My aim at the moment is to still be able to do 15 mins and to increase to 20 mins in a month or less, I know that probably sounds ridiculously wet but I know myself that I can do this whereas i just don’t think I could do a whole class.

Check that the resistance is set correctly. If it’s on too high you’ll be struggling a lot but equally, if there is no resistance on, you’ll wobble around on the seat and it will actually be much harder to control the speed / bike than if you have some resistance on

How many classes have you done? I always think it takes 3 or 4 before you get the feel of having the resistance right and pacing yourself.
Is there a shorter class you can do? 30 mins instead of 45?
Just keep going, and don’t leave class. If you have to sit and pedal on a light resistance till the end, that’s fine. You’ll do more next time.

Why does it feel so hard compared to the ordinary static bike? Is there a reason. I haven’t even thought about doing the standy up thing.
I have spoken to the instructor, who is about 28 and fit as they come, of course, I sit at the back and slope off when I’ve had enough!
Thank you

I went to a taster class. You should just use the resistance you can cope with and work your way up, that’s if you want to persevere. I wasn’t bothered about going again because it always seems a bit shouty when I see the actual classes in action (I did enjoy the bacon sandwich I rewarded myself with afterwards though)

I have done 4 classes and about 11 mins on my own today. First one I got to 71/2 mins and thought I was going to die. I’ve missed 3 weeks now and I’ll try to go in again on my own tomorrow, so that I feel I can go to the next class, which is Tuesday.

A lot of it is down to technique. I often see new people having their resistance far too light when they stand, thinking it’s easier. It’s actually harder - you have no control and risk damaging your knees.

Some people just go slower and sit when it suits them. The important thing is to try and keep moving and then you’ll increase your stamina. Or try shorter classes. Sprint is a tabata style spinning class - hard but only 30 minutes.

Dont put hardly any resistance on. If you feel I'll sit down and keep pedaling then rejoin

Lol, I thought it said Spain.

I do want to persevere because my default position in life is lying on the settee. But I know that if I go in feeling under pressure to do more than I want to, I’ll just not go back.
I know that might go against perceived wisdom and I know you should really push yourself but I don’t want to. I do it because I’m 60 this year and I know I need to be fitter, not because I enjoy exercise. At all. I wish I did, but I don’t.

Got some padded shorts - that does help with the saddle sore and ease off between sets - don't stop peddling but take the resistance down to base.

I love spin and when a class is hard I work at 5 min chunks and just look to the next 5 mins.

Also do you take water? If you don't you must as that helps the recovery as well.

Also when they are staying add resistance - a full turn is really for a spin addict going 5 times a week. For beginners I would add a 1/4 and build up

Spin is quite intense and hard. I do step, running and body conditioning classes but spin is the toughest one I do - felt bit sick the first few times and only just stopped feeling like ‘will I make it’ after a good few sessions.

But you are in control of your resistance and speed. So whatever resistance the instructor suggests just go lower, much lower if you have to. And slower than suggested too!

You could try a different instructor too as there are definitely some I find harder than others although ostensibly they’re all pitched at the same level. Sometimes it’s as simple as music too - feels better when you’re enjoying the music!

On a purely practical thing I also find that doing a few rotations standing up gives me a bit of a break and seems to let my legs reset.

I’d also say that don’t worry about what others are doing. People don’t really don’t care what others are doing in terms of speed and you generally can’t see resistance unless you’re being especially nosy! So if you take things easy no-one will bat an eyelid.

I go twice a week and still clock watch a bit. The first 15 minutes are the hardest. After that I can push myself. A lot of it is a mental battle!

And when the class is standing to do a 'run' if you don't feel able - don't - you need to build upto it

Firstly, buy one of those cushions you can put on the bike- the spin bike really hurt my nether regions. Secondly - use lower resistance, pace yourself. Thirdly, maybe do something different like resistance training if u don't like cardio.

I go spinning when i need to lose a few lbs, it's a great calorie burner. But I hate it, it's so boring, I can't do it on a regular basis.

I was a complete spin novice 6 months ago and now do 5 classes a week; mixture of hot, 30 min and 45 min classes. At the start I found it really useful to actually think about pulling your legs back up as well as pushing down rather than just assuming that they’ll come back up of their own accord!

Also helps to find the beat of the music and keep in rhythm, I’m incredibly unmusical so when I managed it by accident about a month in it was a revelation!

I think the reason it's so much harder than a 'normal' static bike, is that you rarely see anyone really pushing themselves on a static bike - they'll be scrolling their phones, watching the overhead TV, etc etc - barely exercising at all. In spin, if you want to die after 15 mins, you're pushing yourself too hard - you can walk for 45 mins can't you, so aim for a level of exercise just a bit beyond that, that you can sustain - with pauses - for longer. That will build your fitness more, than extreme exertion for 15 mins. Oh, and get a gel saddle cover - massively more comfortable! Good luck 🍀

It's strange because I found spin one of the easier classes even when just starting at the gym and relatively unfit. Everyone's body is different and we all find different things harder/easier. If you don't enjoy it I wouldn't bother carrying on. Theres so many classes and sports available, you should choose something else you enjoy.