What makes a good spinning class for cyclists?

[SWAGG]

I would love it if someone offered something similar to these guys in London:

 

http://www.cyclebeat.co.uk/

 

Pretty competitive when you can follow everyone on screen...

 

Tom

Hey Tom

 

There are a few of these types of studios around the world. The only one similar I have seen is in Rivonia JHB, let me know if you want and i will get the details for you. I am not involved with them so cant say how good they are.

 

Ryan

[SWAGG]

5. Spinning bikes with KnObs!!!!! I hate that cause you'll never ever be on the same resistance as the instructor. Get proper bikes first, ones that are straight forward "everyone set resistance to number 5" that way everyone is getting the same workout.

Got you on that, had a person come up to me after class complaining that i wasn't going on a scale of 1 - 10 so i asked her to please show me on her bike where 1 - 10 was. I work my classes from a "flat road basis" which is enough resistance to feel like a slight head wind. From there it is a case of adding resistance to simulate hills and climbs or adding cadence to simulate increases in speed.

[SWAGG]

I'm probably not quite your target market... But I do 2 classes a week with different instructors and that shakes it up a bit.

 

1. A good work out. A fun vibe. Some people are stiffs in my morning class.

2. Nice beat - not quite fond of doef doef ... I think I would enjoy a class with some hard core aggro metal too doubt that would go down too well.

3. Mix it up.

4. I enjoyed a 90 min class over December, during the week - just not enough time. Instructor suggested a 60min class tonight (I usually go in the AM) - need to get home, grocery shop, cook dinner etc... Can't.

5. My friend was saying how some of the lady instructors have a very shrill voice ... Don't like that. Had an instructor that would sit on his bike and pedal occasionally while watching the class and barking orders ... Um..no!

 

 

P.s whys this duplicated in chit chat?think it's relevant - get it merged.

Sorry, new to posting so not sure how I posted in 2 forums and definitely not sure how to merge !

[SWAGG]

Don't know why you want everyone to have the same workout. It's not like it's a race. And what if you turn up and there is a first time person who is well unfit in the class. Then you get that workout. It will never work. A 5 is a middle effort and 10 is as hard as you can tolerate. You work it out.

 

What I hate in a spinning class is when you are expected to do all those jumps. What's that for? And as someone else mentioned. When you get asked to do an all out sprint for two minutes. Do I look like Chis Hoy?

Not sure Chris, do you look like Chris Hoy? Just joking, I hear you about the jumps (some MTB guys like them if done at high resistance) and I 100% agree with you, a sprint at maximum effort is like 30s tops then sufficient recovery time.

 

Thanks for the feedback

[rudi-h]

Just a suggestion. There used to be a spinning instructor at Roodepoort VA many years ago. He used to have a theme for each class relating to the type of music. One class would be 80's rock, the next old school techno, then 90's punk etc. He used to dig out all of the classic tunes from each era. It was really great, I'd find myself waiting in suspense for each new song to start. Once had an all Metallica class, needles to say there were lots of sweat on the floor...

[SWAGG]

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.....

I agree with you on this - i actually played Seven Nation Army by White Stripes for a long heavy climb and everyone loved it !

[SWAGG]

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 .

Next time please take that up with the gym, it is impossible for the instructor to check every bike every class..... believe me, it irritates us just as much.

[SWAGG]

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.

I see that BryanPark now has a studio full of watt bikes and does watt bike specific classes that are excellent. Not sure when the other VA's are going to follow but i think it would be a great idea to display every-ones readings on a screen - no hiding then and imagine doing a class with your mates !!!

[J∆kk∆ls]

Download GCN spinning video. Load it on your phone. Play it at the gym...done!

 

[milky4130]

Another big big big bonus would be if you could help spinners with bike setup, yes even the experienced cyclist get it wrong sometimes. This would obviously require them to Pitch up a few minutes earlier etc.

doing this will prevent injury & help ensure future comebacks & class enjoyment. Maybe take up a course in your personal capacity but I reckon saddle height & knee alignment over the pedal axle as the bare minimum you could offer.

[GlockG4]

they suck up oxygen, take up space denies someone who wants to do the actual workout from the instructor, they cheat, also see Cadre's post a couple up.

"they suck up oxygen, take up space denies someone who wants to get there faster" sounds like a arrogant car drivers attitude towards a cyclest? the biggest, fattest most unfit person in that gym pays the same money to be there as you, so get of your high horse, not everyone is a pro athlete like you!

[Cadre]

all i saw he used the M word that got hubbers banned before   

Unconditional apologies to anyone offended by the M-word. It was meant in context and not derogatory to orientation. Sorry about that, won't happen again.

[milky4130]

"they suck up oxygen, take up space denies someone who wants to get there faster" sounds like a arrogant car drivers attitude towards a cyclest? the biggest, fattest most unfit person in that gym pays the same money to be there as you, so get of your high horse, not everyone is a pro athlete like you!

thanks for your contribution, have a nice day.

[Uni]

Unconditional apologies to anyone offended by the M-word. It was meant in context and not derogatory to orientation. Sorry about that, won't happen again.

Maybe go edit your post?

[Joe Low]

1. instructor that knows what they are doing in a time slot I can get to.

 

2. mix up the music and get some older stuff in e.g. The Strolling Bones.

 

3. lots of standing cuz it makes me work harder; but not the silly jumps, fake push-ups etc. Simulate rides by not encouraging pedalling much over 100 rpm.

 

4. Duration - 45 mins is fine

 

5. There's a lot of turn-offs, quite a few discernible from the above. but the biggest would be an idiot instructor; followed by a too-hot room.

[BLACKvoodoo]

I agree with you on this - i actually played Seven Nation Army by White Stripes for a long heavy climb and everyone loved it !

 

My body by Young the giant 

and

Lose youself by Eminem

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmXumtgwtak

 

These two songs get me totally pumped , on the road or in the gym.