Any 'spinners' or other indoor cycling people here?

[fluffiphlox]

I've been doing it for a couple of months, twice a week. Enjoying it and helping with my running. Anyone else?

Yes - me! I am a bit of an addict and go between 3 and 5 times a week (would be more if I didn't work full time). Absolutely love it. I recommend buying cleat shoes, makes the world of difference

Love spinning. Haven't been on a bike for a while since pregnancy though. Must go soon (or use the bike in the garage!)

Have been regularly spinning for 14 years! Not so much in the past few months though as my midwife banned me.

I go twice a week with my DH. I love the fact that despite being a big fat knacker I can do something that doesn't hurt my joints and has made a huge difference to my cardio fitness. I've been doing it for about 2.5 years and have found that I can now go faster, harder and for longer than some of the other people in my class which is a huge achievement for me. I've got into a bit of a one sided competition with my DH over how far we can 'cycle' in a class. I have a much higher top speed so I always win but it's been getting close and it does give us both motivation to give it our all during a class.

My DH also runs and has said that it's made a huge difference to his stamina and his speed.

I used to love spinning. Fast forward a few years, two babies and two stone gained and I'm not sure I could manage it anymore.

I've just started running on the treadmill to build up a bit of fitness before tackling my first Les Mills class in years... really want to get back into it

Spaghetti, I'm sure you could manage it. I'm 17.5 stone and if I can do it, anyone can. I was slow as hell at first and had to use really low resistance but I now I can stand and attack faster than I could initially race while seated! I've come on so much that one of my instructors put me front and centre on her latest assessment video.

Sorry to be late back. My threads seemed to disappear. I have some old non-cleated cycling shoes (they have rigid soles). I might buy some cleats but my trainers and my walking boots both need replacing so the cycling shoes will have to wait.

That's good to hear thecapital and good on you! DH says I should just get on with it and of course, the sensible part of me knows I can adjust the resistance and only do what I can manage but I'm not sure I'm confident enough.

I almost feel I need to do some gym work first for my own confidence as much as anything.

I think most people are so busy hanging on like grim death that they are not concerned about looking at others. If you fancy it, just do it.

@SpaghettiAlphabetti unlikely you'd be going to this exact instructor, but she just posted this and thought of you!

instagram.com/p/BX2TPtwA3Ne/

That's superb valooby. Thank you!

If only the bloody studio wasn't all mirrored walls. Mind you, they do switch the lights out once the class gets going.....

Yes and I bloody love it

Only downside: bikegina. Ouch.

'Saddlebottom'. Ouch.

If your bike is set up properly you should be sitting on your sit bones not squashing your vulva. I doubt your vagina is even in the equation 😀🚴

I don't think you can avoid putting at least some pressure on your vulva. Which is why the Team GB cyclers are told not to shave it - no hair increases the chances of getting sore vulvas. If the Team GB cyclists get sore vulvas then I don't see why spinners wouldn't especially since we won't be using custom made saddles which exactly fit our sit bones made out of the best materials known to man.

I expect you're right but I must say my nether regions have been more or less unscathed compared to when I last rode a rather ill-fitting road bike. That did nothing for my love life I can tell you. The sit bones thing was a real revelation to me and has made the experience so much more comfortable. I might even go back to outside cycling if I can set the bike up better. Happy spinning!

In classes where you stand up and sit down there is no way to avoid being bashed around in the nether regions

Yes we do lots of sitting and standing in rapid succession. That's taken a while to get the hang of, I must say.

I use a gel seat cover. Had some time off, went back 8 weeks after spinal surgery but too soon in hindsight!

I do find that some of the saddles at my gym seem to be tilted in just the right way to crush my undercarriage. Most of the time I don't be get any soreness but if I happen to get one of the fanny crushing bikes I sit there praying for a long standing section!