Do you Spin?

[daBlingKing]

I am just trying to get my head around which active cyclists use Spinning or Indoor Cycling classes to keep their fitness levels up - especially during Winter where some are not keen to get our on the road or trail?

 

* If you do where do you train?

* What do you like about Spin classes 

* What are your pet hates 

* What would you like your instructor to do to make it better?

* Have you used the new ICG IC6 or IC7 bikes?

 

I would love to see the opinions of the Hubbers. 

I do instructing and I have found with the advent of the new ICG bikes by MTB cycling has improved drastically.

I am not a Strava fundi but was noting that practically every section at Northern Farms on Saturday was a new personal best and it was a casual ride (or maybe I was just incredibly k@k before lol

 

I am always looking to improve my classes so I would love to see what attracts people?

[Vetseun]

No

[Cyclewizz]

If I remember correctly the IC6 or IC7 don't have Ant+ so 1 can't connect one's Garmin to it.

I've only ever been on 1 of those bikes once and can't remember which model it was.

 

The WattBike has Ant+ and this feature alone makes it better than the ICG bike (or at least the 1 that I used - no ANT+).

 

To answer your questions:

1) I prefer training on the road. Times passes quicker and it isn't as boring.

For intervals or tests I think indorrs is better as it's a controlled enviroment

 

2) Spinning classes are ok but i haven't done 1 for years.

Some VA have WattBikes in their studio's and have WattBike classes. I've never been so I can't comment but from what I've heard they make it more personal by "forcing" people to do the 3min test to get their zones.

 

3) No hates but it's a very general class.

 

4) the instructor either makes the class or kills it. They create the vibe in the class.

[Letum911]

That's a very personal question!!

[Dexter-morgan]

I do, in Winter, at Home

[EmptyB]

Spin on my own to a specific programme. Wahoo kickr and my own bike....not a fan of spinning classses.

[dave303e]

no spinning classes thank you, to general, not focussed, I far prefer sitting with a wattage infront of me and my own choice in music to keep me maxed out.

 

I am on a wattbike a few times a week, focessed 60-120min sessions usually high intensity intervals, all data logged.

[Skubarra]

Not anymore, was useful in my cycling beginning days though

[BuffsVintageBikes]

I've recently started again and try go to 2 classes per week. Mostly to keep some sort of fitness alive so summer doesn't start at base 0 but also to get my free coffees from my Discovery points

 

* If you do where do you train? - VA Capegate

* What do you like about Spin classes - The music and challenge of the class. I push myself harder in a spinning class than when training alone.

* What are your pet hates - Instructors that think they're Gods gift to the cycling community. Even worse, instructors that try sing along to the music.

* What would you like your instructor to do to make it better? - Tell me at the beginning of the class what the goal is i.e. Climbing, Intervals or Steady State or combines. Then set a challenging class with good recovery periods, play good music & keep quite.

* Have you used the new ICG IC6 or IC7 bikes? - Not sure what these are, ours are just normal spinning bikes (recently upgraded) but without electronic goodies.

 

A few things I've noticed since starting again is that most of the instructors don't go as hard in the class as the students because they might be doing a few classes a day. As a result, they make their recovery periods between hard efforts too short, so as a result, my HR goes higher and higher as the class progresses.

While I know this is sometimes the idea, in many instances it isn't ideal.

[BaGearA]

Tried did not work for me 

 

Much prefer 20-30min very focused sessions on A wattbike  ( I'm not racing , just keeping fitness up for enduro ) 

[HBO]

Not a fan of spinning classes mostly due to the loud music and yelling of the instructors. If you put the music softer you don't have to yell.

 

I do HIIT 2x week on my own on the Wattbike. On weekends I hit the road. We have a lovely winter so far in Gauteng, no need to cycle indoors.

[Robbie Stewart]

* If you do where do you train? - Viva Gym

* What do you like about Spin classes - Virtual Cycling (I get to see places like Alpe d' Huez and Hawaii etc.)

* What are your pet hates - no fan to speak of (I sweat buckets. really, I do)

* What would you like your instructor to do to make it better? - instructor? It's a video projected on a wall..

* Have you used the new ICG IC6 or IC7 bikes? - Huh?

[Kalahari Vegmot]

I only spin when I'm tossed really, really hard...

[coppi]

In winter I use the IDT at home and alternate between sufferfest and my own thing for 60 minutes twice a week, go out on the MTB weekends.

In summer I go out at 5am twice a week for an hour and ride 100km plus on a Sunday ( with the odd MTB ride on a Saturday )

 I used to spin at the gym, some spinning classes where excellent and some bad. The Wattbikes are in a terrible state and never work properly so I gave up completely......

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I do once or twice a week in winter, cant ride on the road or the trails when the snow is 6ft deep - however much the same as running on the treadmill, to me "It is what it is", so I usually enjoy it, its sociable and its usually fun, personally I dont get hung up on the instructors manner, full classes mean generally the folk like her / him, empty classes.....!

 

In my opinion its designed as a quick 60 minute workout with other like minded people, its meant to be fun and sociable and for everybody, young, old, fit not so fit, the instructor is just a guide and no one stops you from working harder or easier as you feel, so for me, usually it ticks all my boxes. 

[Cheese]

 If you do where do you train? VA

* What do you like about Spin classes - Do not do spin classes - use Wattbike 

* What are your pet hates  - Some one on Watt bike not training seriously and no bike available for me

* What would you like your instructor to do to make it better? - No instructor

* Have you used the new ICG IC6 or IC7 bikes? Have used ICG once or twice when the Wattbikes were full. Do not feel quite like a real bike to me, not sure but think it is ICG7 as it is brand new in the gym. It does have good power meter etc , but the app also did not work great for me.

Maybe I need to get used to it, but while a Watt bike is available I won't