Spin class

[Jennywallpaper]

I'm booked in for my first spin class this week and I'm wondering what people's thoughts are on it, does it help with weight loss and will it help me loose weight from my legs as they are a problem area for me! I'm calorie counting and going to a PT but they're on holiday at the moment so need something else, and thought I'd give spin ago!

I love it. It has really toned up my legs and bum. Beware though, I absolutely hated it at first but then after a couple of week I ‘got’ it and then there’s no turning back. Just take it at your own pace to start with - there will be people in your class who have been going for years and will be going really fast and hard but you don’t have to keep up with them, just go as hard as you can. Everyone is different.

My instructor always says that a beginner and a professional cyclist can do the same class side by side, because you can set the gears to your level of ability.

Wow thanks so much everyone!! It seems it's very popular then! I'll definitely try and get there early so I can sort the bike out right, I'm really hoping I enjoy it! I find it so funny that I'm actually going to the gym and signing up to fitness classes now I'm in my 30s and when I was younger ( and thin) I absolutely hated anything to do with exercise!

Spin bikes are great and I do the class on RPMs speed rather than gears.
But Gym now has new 'stages' bikes that I don't understand. Based on heart rate zone colours now.

But overall - spin in a darkened room with decent tunes gives a great workout and I feel my tummy tiny bit tighter as well as legs obviously.

I survived!!! It was definitely hard going, and I could feel my face burning up but I really enjoyed it! The music was great and the instructor was really helpful. Going back again tomorrow (if I can walk)

Amazing! Well done.

I loathed it - did 4 classes because I could see it's great exercise but hated the banging loud music (had to wear earplugs), the shouty aggressive approach, the sweaty people, feeling trapped on the bike. Everything I hate about an exercise class.

But I know lots of people do enjoy it!

I don't enjoy it so I've only done it twice. I like body pump, body attack and gym fit classes

I’m glad you enjoyed it OP!
Don’t worry if you’re too sore to contemplate going again tomorrow though, I actually had to take painkillers after my first spin session!

It’s not my fave, but I go occasionally because it’s so damn efficient.

Look out for the DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). After my first body pump I found it tricky getting up and down stairs and getting on and off the toilet!

Best way to deal with DOMS is to do some gentler ( but not too gentle) exercise the next day. Pilates, a long walk, a swim - these all help. DOMS usually hits me the 2nd day after a new exercise regime. Which is why cross- training is really important- mixing it up as otherwise your body gets used to the exertion. That’s where HIIT workouts are good as well.

My second ever Spinclass the instructor said at the end that he didn’t think I’d used enough resistance ! The pool of sweat on the floor clearly wasn’t enough to convince him

Spin is hard core

@ThursdayLastWeek I was going to go again today but I don't think I could sit on the bike I'm to sore, and I have a 10hour shift on my feet today. I'm going again next week tho, and I've got body pump and pt between now and then

Get to body pump a wee bit early as you need to set up equipment. A step for lying down on for the chest track and a bar with weights on for warm up plus a selection for other tracks. You will add and remove weights as required for each track depending which muscle group you are targeting. I would start light and not add too much though as you need to get technique right too.

Thanks @dementedpixie it's all so new to me! I'm hoping I won't be to sore but I thought I'd maybe be able to use my arms at least lol
You have all been so helpful! I still can't believe I'm actually doing exercise!

Pump was the first class I went to (age 35!) and I'm still going to it 10 years later. Will it be a 45 minute or 1 hour class? The class follows the same format each time - warm up, squats, chest, back, triceps, biceps (45 minute has a triceps/biceps combined track), legs, shoulders (again they are combined in the 45 minute class), abs, cool down. You add/remove weights as required but the instructor should guide you.

It’ll only take a few minutes for your sore bum to be fine again, I tend to go commando in spin classes as it’s much more comfortable without seams

Well done op. Glad you enjoyed it.

I much prefer bodypump to spin, I think my form is better in that class that on a bike so while I get DOMS I don’t get backache.

A 10hr shift on your feet sounds exhausting enough and I’m sure will count towards recovery!

It makes me want to puke but each to their own

I love pump. Although I was quite proud when my PT said he thought I was “too advanced” for pump . He told me today that I am “exceptionally strong” - it’s just flattery to get me to work harder and stop swearing at him.

The Bodypump instructor should give you guidance on weights. Start low - just put the 2.5 kg ones on the bar to warm up, and don’t worry about doing some exercises (eg lunges, shoulders) with body weight only.

Stand near the front so you can watch the instructor for good form on squats particularly. They’re no good to you unless you keep your back straight, your head and chest up, your weight in your heels , and hinging at the hips - send your bum backwards.

I’d also have a quick word with the instructor at the start to tell him/her that this is your first go - they’ll keep an eye on you and coach you. Treasure the tips and the coaching - it’s by being “picked on” that you improve!

Stick at it! I'm 54 and do at least 3 spin classes a week and have been for the last 20 years. Don't over do it to start with and go to at least 2 classes a week to see your stamina improve. The sore bum will soon disappear.

@dementedpixie it's a 45min class, I think I might enjoy this more as it's more similar to what I do with my pt, although I think maybe doing spin for cardio would be good to.
@CatandtheFiddle thank you for all the tips, I'll definitely let the instructor know it's my first class, it's quite a small class which is good. My pt is very good with the flattery too, it does make me do more so it does work and I love pushing myself!

I think they must include a module on "Flattery and flirtation" in PT training courses: I know my PT is an expert flirt. I see him with his other female clients and he really turns it on. He's quite different with his wife (who is super-fit)!

They need to sell their product (themselves). The grim 80’s chick lit trope of women shagging their personal trainer/tennis instructor (thanks Jilly Cooper) seems to have convinced the industry that flirtation is the way forward.

I’m not keen on the flirtation bit and I wonder actually how many women really are keen on being flirted at by their personal trainer. A bit of flattery and encouragement (in terms of technique and progress) is great for motivation but I don’t need to be flirted with, thanks. I suspect there are quite a few women who feel the same.