What makes a good spinning class for cyclists?

[GlockG4]

If you walk out of a spinning class and dont feel like you got a proper workout that is mostly your own fault. I am all for intermediate and advanced classes, but to forct everyone to do exactly the same will not work. If you want to feel superior, enter a race and prove it there, a spinning class is for training and pushing yourself within your limits together with like minded people and a good vibe.

[pellieg]

 Music -I like loud and pumping when sprinting and slow and steady beats when climbing, i think its very important choosing the right music for what kind of working you want the class to do 
I prefer simulation type of classes, 
45 min is just to short for me , i would enjoy a 60min 
my absolute pet hate in any spinning class is broken or noisy/squeaky bikes. its so bad that i book a seat a week in advance because i know that's one of the only bikes without issues .

 

I do 5 spinning classes a week, at 3 different gyms, 

I follow 2 instructors to those specific gyms,

good spinning instructors are flippen hard to find in PTA

[Paul Ruinaard]

So with winter coming up and more cyclists making use of spinning classes to stay in shape, I was wondering what those of you that do attend classes think makes them worth your time or not?

 

I have been instructing classes now that I am aiming at attracting cyclists (road & MTB) and thought this the best forum to get some valuable input as to what works and what doesn't . Obviously it is never possible to cater to everyone's individual preferences, rather gather the majority of views.

 

To kick off, some questions that I am looking for answers to:

 

1. What is the one single thing that will get you to come back class after class?

2. Music - loud and pumping or less intrusive so that you can follow instructor more?

3. Class profile - simulating rides (long time in the saddle) or lots of typical up and down spinning class movements?

4. Duration - is 45 mins enough? 60, 75 or 90'?

5. Pet hate in a spinning class?

 

If you do want to add anything to the conversation it will all be taken into account but I do prefer positive contributions and not just bashing the spinning community in general.

 

Thanks again if you do participate

 

Ryan

So i can tell you what p!sses me off no end is one of the instructresses at cedar square who firstly is completely tone deaf and thinks she is a DJ. So she messes with the pitch and tempo of the music to get the beat to suit what interval she wants to do.

 

If you have any musical sensibilities it crashes every one of them. I haven't formally complained but even as badly out of tune i am when i sing, it irritates the crap out of me.

 

I enjoy at least an hour class. 45 too short.

 

what i do enjoy is when the instructor allows you to really get in to a song )i like loud punk - green day etc) with a big strong loud beat. I push much harder. So dont interfere or add too many intervals, let the class work on their own. A good tough interval class with a mix of sprints etc is great as a cyclist. Jumping up and down all over the bike is better for conditioning...

 

If you have a skimpy clad guy or girl up there with a hot bod, at least 50% of your class will come back. It inspires you .....

[Dude Crush]

Nice thread... I love that u actively seek feedback!

 

Anyway,

1. Good vibe and a structured, well thought out workout will get me back again. Nothing like a disorganised instructor to put you off spinning!

2. I prefer hearing the instructor... But if there is a sprint for 60secs for example, pump it and maybe lower it to chime in with a count or encouragement at 30. Sometimes, a "keep it going through the burn" is what I need to hear.

3. Either would work, but changing positions or activities every 30secs is annoying. There was a guy at VA bryanston 3 weeks back that made the class do something different every 10-15secs... I kid u not! Choose a theme and explain to us... Like climbing for the next 12mins in 2mins intervals with 1min rest from resistance 6-9.

4. 45 or 60 during the week. If we have time, we can choose to do two classes. Weekends 60 or 90 is perfect.

5. Unusual positions and/or frequent changes in position.

 

Other things I enjoyed from some instructors is when they reminded me to "drop my heel" or "keep your upper body steady". Guide us to good technique and explain which muscle groups you are targeting and for how long that stint is going to be. Sometimes, I get tired in a position only to have the instructor end that stint 10secs later. Or save some energy for the grand finale only to find that we just completed the last hill and last 5mins will be easy riding. Communicate your intentions - we like understanding your thought process. It helps us plan our workout accordingly.

 

Thanks for asking

[Pulse]

I would like it if the workout is explained to thr class, so we can follow what you are up to; perhaps during warm-up.

If you whistle is class, I get off the bike and leave the class, you will never see me again

If your music is already too loud, and you shout over a headset, you will never see me again

I take earplugs with to classess, if my ears start hurting I'll put them in, if it doesn't get beter, I leave

 

I like simulated classes, or if there is a theme and we know what is going on

I prefer a resistance guide of 1-5, instead of 1-10... Most instructors never use 1..3 ob a 10 scale

[rudi-h]

Major problem with spinning classes is that the instructors know NOTHING about cycling and tend to think that pedalling at 140 cadence whilst bouncing around on your saddle with no resistance resembles a breakaway... If i go to a spinning class, it is purely for the fact that there are others around me and music that somehow makes it feel that the time goes by faster. I pretty much do my own thing whenever they start with the silly sprints or jumping up and down routines.

[Waynehans]

Maybe a bit off topic...

 

I start my 10 week Sufferfest program today.

 

Did my FTP test last week to get your power rating.  

 

The music is good!!!  You sit there watching all the spring classics!!  and your resistance is custom to your FTP.   Watts, speed, cadence, intervals, reports and more — all at your fingertips.

 

No instructor upfront, if you cheat, you wasting your own money.

 

Bike - Cycleops 300 Pro

[IceCreamMan]

What I find common to all spinning classes an all instructors is the propensity to play doef doef music..... for the love of all things sacred play some kick ass guitar music preferably hard an heavy.....

[BLACKvoodoo]

isnt that the point of attending a spinnig class whether it be "advanced/intermediate" so everyone can do the same workout else as I mentioned earlier just go & workout on your own. There is actually a demand for spinning classes so much so that you have to book a bike & if you don't want to do the same workout as everyone else or what the instructor is offering there is someone else waiting to take that spot.

 

I disagree I spin every morning 6 days a week, Classes are half full , plenty of room for everyone.  As far as the training goes I go as hard as I can but there are people in there that have different goals.  You need to be able to control your level , a good workout for you might make someone else puke and hate cycling all together.    

[BLACKvoodoo]

Major problem with spinning classes is that the instructors no NOTHING about cycling and tend to think that pedalling at 140 cadence whilst bounding around on your saddle with no resistance resembles a breakaway... If i go to a spinning class, it is purely for the fact that there are others around me and music that somehow makes it feel that the time goes by faster. I pretty much do my own thing whenever they start with the silly sprints or jumping up and down routines.

 

There are two or three that actually cycle, We know this when they cant teach a class slot because they're out training for an event. But maybe in the other gyms they are only instructors

[scotty]

For me the spinning class should resemble like I would on the road/trail. My pet hate is the popcorn thing where you expected to pop up and down every few seconds, cant think of any scenario where I have had to do this on the road/trail, if i wanted to do aerobics i would attend an aerobics class. 

 

45 min class is reduced to 35 as 5 min is spent warming up and 5 min warm down, an hour would be better but some have time constraints. Background music should be loud enough to be comfortable but must be able to hear the instructor above it. 

 

When I still worked in Randburg Theresa Ralph gave class at the VA did not care for her choice of music much but when you finished her class you really felt you had a good workout.

[NotSoBigBen]

People go spinning thinking it will give a workout like being out riding a bike mon dieu 

 

I always thought it was a last resort thing when it has been raining for 2 weeks non stop and you're feeling guilty for not doing any exercise ......

[rouxtjie]

People go spinning thinking it will give a workout like being out riding a bike mon dieu 

 

I always thought it was a last resort thing when it has been raining for 2 weeks non stop and you're feeling guilty for not doing any exercise ......

Mind numbing....a kuk day in the elements and muliple punctures beats a great spinning session everytime.

[Anticlimb]

Broken , f ed up bikes ! I have walked out of many a class cause of that . U want me to pay for a class , then you make sure the equipment is in top condition .

[DIPSLICK]

Mind numbing....a kuk day in the elements and muliple punctures beats a great spinning session everytime.

HE IS BACK  

 

DUTCHIE HOEZIT

[rudi-h]

Since the arrival of the Wattbike spinning classes have become redundant for me at least. Got myself a good set of training headphones, decide how long and what type of training I want to do upfront and make a play list to suit the workout. With joburg being hilly I feel that I get more than enough intervalish training on weekend rides, so I tend to use the wattbike for 30+minute consistent efforts.