Spin Class

Are y’all doing spin class?  I haven’t done it in a really long time and miss it!  I’ve been doing most of my cardio on the stairmaster lately and was thinking of other cardio I could do for variety and spinning came to mind.  The only bad thing about spinning is that you usually have to be a member of a gym to take a class or go to a studio.  I’m going to find a class at my gym soon.  

I’ve found that the best classes are the ones with an instructor whose style you like the best and who plays the best music.  If you’ve never taken a spin class, just arrive a few minutes early and talk to the instructor.  They will help you adjust the bike to your height and explain how to dial up or down the intensity.  You can go at your own pace though and work as hard as you feel comfortable. 
Spinning is such an awesome workout and not just for your legs.  Some teachers have the participants do push-up motions on the handlebars, etc.  Unless you sneak out of the class early, you are pretty much guaranteed a good 45-minute workout.  Being in a class definitely helps you keep going, as opposed to when you’re on your own, you might have quit earlier.  I’ve read that spin class burns between 400-600 calories and, depending on how fast you pedal, a 40 minute class is the equivalent to 15-20 road miles.  
My word of caution is definitely bring a large bottle of water with you to class- and a towel.  It gets pretty sweaty- in a good way!  Oh, and you might be pretty sore in the “crotch region” after the first couple of classes- sorry, no real way to avoid that, but you can buy padded shorts or a seat pad that actually does help.  I’ve used one before, but then forgot to take it off the bike seat/saddle and left it behind. You don’t need special shoes, regular tennis shoes work fine, but if you get to liking the class so much and you’re doing it often, they do make special shoes that clip into the pedals as opposed to your regular tennis shoe being strapped to the pedal.

One more thing, about group classes in general- if you find one you like and start going regularly, you’ll end up seeing the other “regulars” and it gets to become kind of a connection-sharing thing.  You become friendly with the other members and get used to meeting up with them at class and that can be inspiring and fun to have a regular group of people to workout with.  You never know who you’ll meet- just sayin.

So, do share- are you spinning, thinking of starting?? 

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Meet Megan

Hi! I’m Megan, mom to a thoughtful teenager and spunky young girl. We call Houston home and recently moved into our dream home. I traded my lawyer hat to become a full-time blogger in 2010. I love sharing my passion for affordable fashion, home decor, organization, & fitness to help inspire you to take care of you!

15 Comments

  1. I went to my first spin class…tonight! I loved it, but yes, my "crotch area" is already super sore, haha. I am a runner, and can do about 6-miles. This was a TOTALLY different kind of work out, though. I had to stay in 1st position for most of the time, and I'm okay with that! I'll be back every week 🙂

  2. I haven't been to a spin class in a couple of years. Long, sad story…I have a neck issue that was aggravated last time I went. It left me skittish to return. Oh how I miss it! Although, I haven't missed the pain in my nether region. One never forgets that "owie" from the first couple of classes.

  3. I have heard amazing things about spin class. I have been procrastinating going…but feel a little more prepared reading your tips! Thanks so much! I might just have to try it out this next week. I will let you know how it goes!

  4. The best shape that I've been in my life is when I was doing spin. There was an awesome studio down in southern ca that had the best music and all the songs were "choreographed" so that it was upbeat and stimulating. I find that the classes up here in Tahoe try to simulate being outside and I get bored so quickly…the music is not as upbeat and each song seems to be the same exercise. I actually bought a spin bike {they're pretty cheap on Amazon} after I had Ethan and I like to jump on for 20-30 minutes to get a good workout in. But man, do I miss the great classes!!

  5. I used to do spin classes every Sunday at my gym but then I froze my membership b/c that was the only reason I was going. I workout at home 6 days a week. I wish I could find a place that just offered something for spin classes. It's a great workout! And yes, invest in a padded seat!

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  6. I love spinning and find I do much better in a class…I had a spin bike and rarely used it. I take classes at my gym but just bought a 5 pack to a place here in Dallas called Fly Wheel. They provide the shoes and apparently have a screen so you can track your progress against other riders and keeps track of your progress from ride to ride. Hopeing it will give me a little boost I need to begin working out more regularly.

  7. I LOVE spin & look so forward to my three classes every week. You are so right….. it is all about the instructor & their style matching yours. My instructor is full of energy, plays awesome music & even plays the music videos to go right along on the big screens instead of the Tour de France or Iron Man Triathlon, as some of the other instructors do. My Polar heart right monitor usually shows me burning 500-700 calories for a 60 minute class & 850-1000 calories for the 90 minute class. It's such a great work out & breaks up the monotony of the gym.

  8. Oh man, I really need to get back into spinning classes. I used to go every Tuesday and Thursday but then I got a new job that conflicted with the class time and when my schedule went back to normal, I just forgot about it! I really enjoyed reading this, though. I've never tried the padded seats! Padded shorts would make me so self-conscious! Does it make your butt look bigger or something? Or is it not very visible? I'll have to check them out.

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