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Sparkle (0)
I wasn’t a fan of Spinning when I tried it for the first time about a year and a half ago. I even took the class twice, just to make sure I was giving it a fair chance. I do, however, know exactly why my first attempts ended with such a negative impression. The first mistake was that I went to a class that started at 6am...even though I don't like exercising in the morning! If I had to, I could probably force myself to walk or jog, but Spinning requires a lot of energy.
The second mistake was that I didn't eat anything first (I’m not used to eating something as soon as I wake up), so I didn't have enough fuel in my system to keep me going through such a strenuous workout.
Even though I knew what I’d been doing wrong (and why I spent a lot of time in the class staring at the clock on the wall, hoping the time would go faster), it took me a while to psych myself up enough to give Spinning another try. That’s what a negative first impression will do to you, I suppose.
The turning point came when I found out that the gym I belong to has a recurring monthly class for Spinning newbies, so last weekend I decided to give it another chance. And just like I thought would happen, I discovered that Spinning is a lot better when you’ve eaten something in advance and the class starts later than 6am. (Huh! Who knew?)
I think this Intro to Spinning class is a super idea. It’s a great way to introduce people to a new sport in a low-pressure atmosphere (especially people who might be a little apprehensive about dropping in on a normal class). The classes I took at my previous gym were more like a mad attempt to keep up with the rest of the participants, since everyone else seemed to know what they were doing. I did get help from the instructor when she showed me how to set up my bike, but after that I was on my own.
The intro-class instructor started out by explaining the bike itself and showing us how to adjust the various levers to fit our height (you want to make sure you’re sitting properly on the bike, otherwise you can injure yourself). Then she went over general Spinning terms (instructions we might hear in class), and stuff like proper hand positioning on the handlebars -- which will change depending on the stance you’re in (seated, standing, sprinting).
What I liked most about Spinning is how high-energy it is. The music is loud, the instructor will shout instructions and urge you to work harder, and they’ll vary the routine to keep things interesting. Also, you don’t have to worry about keeping up with anyone else -- there are a variety of fitness levels in the class and you’re encouraged to work at your own pace. If you can’t rise from the seat and sit down over and over, or if you can’t sprint as long as everyone else, that’s okay. You do as much as you can, and over time, with practice, you’ll get better.
My one complaint was how hot the room was, even though they had a few standing fans circulating air around. I know this is typical for Spinning rooms (they tend to be hot because of all the people inside generating body heat), but I wish they kept the room a little cooler. When I used to get on the elliptical machine on a regular basis, I'd always try to grab a machine that was located near a standing fan so I could point it right at me.
My recommendations:
Make sure to bring a water bottle. It helps if you have one with a pop-top that you can squirt into your mouth, rather than a regular water bottle where you have to screw off the top (there's also a smaller chance of spilling water all over yourself if you’re trying to drink and pedal at the same time).
Most people bring a small towel. Since the room gets so hot, it’s helpful to periodically wipe away the sweat.
If you’d like to try Spinning but don’t have the option to take a beginner class, it’s a good idea to get to class a few minutes early and ask for help
