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

[Oldisthenewblack]

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

I did advanced spin once. In error
I came out and my PT was "um WTF? Have you been in the pool?"
Absolutely drowned in sweat

I started spinning last year, I was v unfit but decided when I was drunk that i wanted to try it so booked myself into a class. I LOVED it!! I couldn't walk without groaning in pain for 3 days after the first class though. The great thing about spin is you can go at your own pace. Try it!

Ok. Something is clearly amiss here: I'm not in agony. In fact, my legs feel fine . I know this can't be right. I did the best I could last night, every time they did that 'stand up cycling' thing I did it, plus I DID up the resistance to something that wasn't 'easy' but would allow me to complete the class.

I'm confused.

I can only assume that, as I've mentioned previously, my legs are quite weak so the resistance was probably not high enough to cause the after burn that has been described. However, as I was doing it - it was HARD!! I mean, I kept looking at the clock thinking, no way can I do another 10/20 mins!

Maybe it'll hit me tomorrow....DOMS and all that. I do have ME so my body is a bit dodgy anyway

Give it another 24 hrs
Might be you're fitter than you think

Yes, hollinhurst84, I think another 24 hours is a good idea. I'm not that fit. Still, I can handle way more pain than this, so hoping for searing agony next Monday to prove I worked in next Sunday's class....

well done!!!
your legs will hurt and sometimes your bum initialy too

report in on sweat - remember you shouldnt be able to conduct a conversation as you do it

oh sorry you already did!
Time is merging into one weekend of spin here!

Tried it once - never again!!

Truly hideous experience and couldn't wait for it to end. I think you have to have a good level of basic fitness to do it - I clearly didn't.

Does it work for weight loss and streamlining??

(It must, by the sound of it!)

Belinda - my fitness is not great. I have ashthma and ME. My lung capacity has improved, so I could breathe ok through the class but it's my physical stamina that lets me down. That's one of the reasons why I wanted to do spinning anyway as my stamina needs a boost. I know it's going to take some doing but it has to be possible!

I have a friend who hated it too - said it was the most boring thing she's ever done

My PT thinks I'm insane. He hates it with a passion. Now body pump on the other hand nearly killed me. Spent about a week flinging myself on to toilet as couldn't stand up or sit down

lol oh i so know that thigh feeling.
Lowering yourself on the loo as it KILLS

Why does your PT hate it hollinhurst ? Just being nosey - mine hates classes too, I couldn't face a solo workout as back to the gym today, so I did a floor based weight circuit thing. Blinking hard work, then I saw him walk past and I practically ducked in case he saw me.

Call me cynical but they hate classes as it means you aren't employing them!

I find I push myself far harder in spinning class than if I just sit on an exercise bike.

However, my gym (which is v small and connected to my work) has put on lots of extra classes in Jan. I went to a different spin class this morning expecting it to be full with lots of people like me who have not exercised for three week does opening wine count? I planned to hide near the back and take it easy(ish).

It was just me.

The trainer wanted to go ahead so I had my own personal spin class. My legs are yet to forgive me.

Well, it's three days since the spin class and my legs barely noticed any difference. I will be attending again on Sunday when I will attempt to push myself harder. Maybe up the ressistance. I need to feel it.

Oh no badgerlady - I hate being noticeable in classes !

were you out of breath? Remember no free wheeling!

I did a kettlebell class for the first time and was the only one there. It was during that (brief) really hot weather we had last spring/summer. I figured an air conditioned gym would be ok. I'm sure the instructor took one look at me and thought "I'll teach her, coming to class on a day like this" I've never sweated as much before or since! I sat on my towel in the car on the way home and peeled my gym kit off to get in a cool shower.