Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

Original poster

Spinning class - is it as scary as it looks?? Reassure me please.

70 replies

Oldisthenewblack · 28/12/2015 14:45

Talk to me about spinning....I've never been to a spinning class and am a tad intimidated. It looks really HARD. What if I get knackered part way through (like, after about 2 minutes) and have to stop to get my breath? I'm not sure my legs are strong enough. Will I look like a plonker? They do that standing up thing, don't they, and I'm not sure I can do that!

Is spinning good, do you recommend it, what was it like at your first class? The bikes look scary too.

Any reassurance/support gratefully received Grin

OP posts:
BrendaandEddie · 31/12/2015 16:37

well it would help to ( or it might get a bit boring)
But tbh you could just sit and pedal. You need to put a bit of resistance on otherwise you are just free wheeling the whole time. How much that would be would depend on you

DickDewy · 31/12/2015 20:52

I am a spinning addict.

Don't be intimidated - it will be fine.

One tip - don't make the mistake of having the resistance too light if you are standing. That is really bad for your knees.

Original poster
Oldisthenewblack · 31/12/2015 20:55

I meant: I've booked myself onto the class now Shock

OP posts:
iMatter · 31/12/2015 21:06

Do it! I'm a complete spin addict (I do at least 3 classes a week amongst other things) and I get such a high from it. It is hard but it will work wonders for your fitness. Enjoy!

BrendaandEddie · 03/01/2016 07:58

How was it old?

lljkk · 03/01/2016 08:04

It just looks so incredibly boring. What do they do that stops it from being deathly dull?

kate1516 · 03/01/2016 08:07

I think it's okay if you are relatively fit. I tried one when I was completely unfit to try and get back in shape after my baby. I had to leave before the end to be sick and my legs felt like jelly all ds! However I was following the instructions about increasing resistance exactly and didn't say I was a beginner. I came back in to try and finish and afterwards everyone was telling me they usually cheat and just pretend to turn up the resistance when they are struggling! Also that the instructor was particularly tough. I definitely felt like I had a workout though but decided to do some easier classes until I got more fit. ....

RaeSkywalker · 03/01/2016 08:11

I was genuinely terrified before my first class. I love it though! You can turn resistance up and down depending on how strong your legs are. Just make sure the instructor knows you're new so that you can be helped to set up your bike. Let us know how it goes! Smile

P.S make sure you take in water. I don't usually drink when exercising but I consume loads in a spin class!

BrendaandEddie · 03/01/2016 08:17

Different songs. Different types ie hill climb or cardio. Different combinations of moves.

But you also get to zone out a bit too. Mines in the dark with mood lighting

BrendaandEddie · 03/01/2016 08:17

Rae- she's already been. Rtt

timelytess · 03/01/2016 08:29

Rae- she's already been. Rtt
The kind of message no-one needs.

Original poster
Oldisthenewblack · 03/01/2016 12:50

No - I haven't been yet! The class was actually booked for today (I didn't specify a time/day, sorry) but as it happens, I've come down with a rotten cold so don't think I'll be able to make it. The woman who takes the class though does others in the week, and I will DEFINITELY update as soon as I've done it. I can't not now!

RaeSkywalker - I love the fact that you were terrified (not as mean as it sounds, honest) as that's just how I feel. I'm utterly pissed off that I can't go today as I wanted the terror to abate. I was fully prepared to feel the fear and do it anyway, as they say....

I PROMISE to update as soon as I've done it.

OP posts:
BrendaandEddie · 03/01/2016 12:51

I apologise. bows

lljkk · 03/01/2016 13:04

moves? What moves? do you mean combination of resistance & gears?

I get the appeal of zoning out :)

BrendaandEddie · 03/01/2016 13:08

Yes. Or combinations of sitting standing or hovering in 2/4/8 groups.

Or slow very heavy climb then spinning faster "downhill "
We sometimes do races or interval stuff against different rows

Original poster
Oldisthenewblack · 03/01/2016 13:15

I would love to zone out. And it'll make a change from treadmill and cross trainer. I'll feel I'm zoning out in company Smile

OP posts:
hollinhurst84 · 03/01/2016 13:27

I adore spin because of the zoning out. Yoga or similar bores me but in spin I can't think anything except "can't breathe" Grin

RaeSkywalker · 03/01/2016 14:14

I did read the thread! OP said she's booked, not that she'd been...

Honestly OP you'll be fine. I went after a bit of 'gentle' encouragement from a colleague. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be because you can take it at your own pace Smile

Original poster
Oldisthenewblack · 03/01/2016 20:09

I did it! And it was....hard. But I stayed for the entire class (45 mins) so am very pleased about that. It was most definitely a workout! I will be going again, though only because I know if it's that hard, it MUST be doing me good....Thanks to everyone for your reassurance and encouragement, it was great to hear what experiences you'd all had with spinning Smile

Gosh, this may even help my flabby arse.

OP posts:
BrendaandEddie · 03/01/2016 20:52

I went too this evening ,,,, you say a female instructor. Mines a man

BrendaandEddie · 03/01/2016 20:52

Did you sweat like a horse?

Original poster
Oldisthenewblack · 03/01/2016 21:02

Yes, I think I lost several pounds in sweat alone...though I could tell that if my legs were stronger I could push myself more. My legs have never been very strong, so have a way to go till I can really go for it. I had to keep resistance light as otherwise I would have had to stop.

Yes, the instructor was a woman, and has it happens, she saw me in the gym and came over to ask if I was doing the class. Because of this cold, I'd decided to skip it this week thinking it may be too much for me, but I'm SOOO glad she approached me Smile

OP posts:
fromheretomaternity · 03/01/2016 21:19

What I like about spin class is you can set your own level of difficulty ie the resistance - if you're getting tired you can dial it down. It's also fine to sit and pedal sometimes if you can't keep up with the standing / sitting. Unlike other gym classes like step where it's painfully obvious if you are not keeping up.

BrendaandEddie · 03/01/2016 21:22

good about approach - she will keep encouraging you Good for her!

RaeSkywalker · 03/01/2016 21:27

Well done Smile