spinning, yes or no

[Mich]

i've decided i want to start spinning classes

does it help with cycling, as in does it get you fitter or just keep your fitness up???

[PappaBear]

in my opinion:  RUN AWAY!!!   SPINNING WAS CREATED BY THE DEVIL!!!!

 

 

 

[Red Zone]

Spinning is great for cycling training, a set time of targeted training, particularly good for leg speed and strength training. A HR monitor is almost essential as there is no visual (speed or gradient) information to see how hard you are going.

[dirtrider]

And nothing gets you going like that lovely lady in the front screaming at you all the time !

[Zoo Cookie]

I do spinning during the week and riding on the bike over weekends. for me it works - at least better than nothing.

[Saffa_G]

spinning is very very dangerous.......Vernon Koekemoer doesn't spin and look how cool he is .... don't do it .... it is very bad for you .... rather MTB and play in the dirt ....

[Guest Big H]

Spinning is NOT an alternative to cycling on the road. It is a good proposition though for people living in the city and work late or long hours to get very valuable training. It build stamina, endurance and also teaches you to pedal efficiently. Go to a cycling orientated spinning class presented by cyclists. Stay away from the classes given to dik tannies where you have to perform all sorts of circus tricks to the voice of hyper active people clad in shiny lycra. We did our first ARgus as totally rookie tandem cyclist based almost totally on spinning at a studio.

[1hill@aTime]

mich, or take the money you pay for spinning classes and invest in an IDT, greatest purchase that i have made.

[1hill@aTime]

oh and don't listen to Zoo, she's just lost it!!!, i think she has put in more kms this year than what i have....

 

 

just joking Zoo

[Red Zone]

If your instructor (as big H said) wants you do all sorts of stupid stuff like jumps, no resistance sprints or anything that doesnt realy happen in real cycling ignore him/ her and crank up the resistance and TT

[Hog_]

 

mich' date=' or take the money you pay for spinning classes and invest in an IDT, greatest purchase that i have made.[/quote']

 

You actually use your IDT? Mine has been acting as a bike stand the last couple of weeks. I just can't get into the whole IDT thing. Maybe it would help if I had it in front of the TV, but then again I almost never watch TV. I think if one does subscribe to spinning classes and makes it part of your weekly routine it's much easier to get the training done.

 

 

 

[Bateleur1]

Spinning is good tool for training but as BigH said, it does not replace work on the road.  I like spinning but normally I would walk into a spinning class with my own agenda.  I like doing my interval training on a spinning bike.

[SwissVan]

i've decided i want to start spinning classes

does it help with cycling' date=' as in does it get you fitter or just keep your fitness up???[/quote']

 

Yes, Yes and yes.

 

If you are +100%+ serious towards cycling go the IDT route and train at home with a programme. Go do spinning classes once in awhile just to get a break from the routine.

 

If less than 100% serious, spinning is great, like all forms of exercise its what you make of it. You can double up classes if the standard classes are to short. For winter training it is great break from the routine of normal training plus you get to train in an "interesting and stimulating" enviroment.

 

Dont overspin, some instructors seem to think that everyone can klap 120+ rpm, and remember to NOT stop pedaling suddenly - use the brake.

 

 

 

 

 

[1hill@aTime]

yip i do use mine, in front of the tv, tv on mute and a good cd playing(HR's celine deon cd), still cant manage anything over an hr, just gets to boring, maybe if you could hook up with a few friends on there trainers it will help.

[Zoo Cookie]

oh and don't listen to Zoo' date=' she's just lost it!!!, i think she has put in more kms this year than what i have....

 

 

just joking Zoo

[/quote']

 

oi, mr 1 hill, tred lightly. 

 

 

i did my very first 94.7 last year  under 4 hrs doing mostly spinning - it does help.

 

not ideal, but it helps.

 

 

 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I aggree - spinning is a great way to get in that training you just can't do because of work or k4k weather like we've been having in CT these past 3 days... But it's no substitute for the road! Do it during the week, but bring the bike out on the weekend for a long haul.

 

Or just bike to work...