Guest Post #3: All the Reasons I Don't Want to Go to a Spin Class

That spinning studio is so scary. It's off in a separate area, nowhere near the fitness studio. The participants whoop and holler. And they all know each other. You'd never fit in.
Of course not! not with that attitude, anyway.

1. You're afraid you'll fall off the bike.
You will not fall off the bike. The bike is on a wide, steady platform. There is no balance involved, you will not fall. (picture: http://beebleblog.com/2007/09/03/exercise-classes-what-is-spinning/)

2. The seat is uncomfortable.
Yeah... and your crotch will hurt tomorrow. The first three times you go to class, your area will be sore. That zone has muscles, and, just like you need to build muscle in your arms to get used to weights, you need to build your muscles THERE to get used to the bike seat. It's not that your area will get NUMB, you'll just build a tolerance to the bike seat. If you find that it's just too uncomfortable, you may like to use padded bike shorts (just remember not to wear underwear or you may chafe), or use a gel seat cover. Both make a world of difference. Besides, have you been on a road bike seat? That thing is like concrete. Spin bike seats, in comparison, are really cushy.

3. You think your knees can't handle it.
Spinning has been used for physiotherapy for recovering from knee injuries. Since there is no impact (ie. it's not a weight-bearing exercise), as long as you set your bike up correctly, it is unlikely you will hurt your knees. That said, show up early for your first spin class and tell the instructor that you are new and need help setting your bike up correctly. Having your seat too low/high or too far forward/back will all play a part in how your knee feels. Also, make sure to put on enough resistance when you enter a standing climb, so that your knee does not jam down when you pedal.

4. You're not in good enough shape to do a spin class.
The magic about the spin bike is that everyone is in charge of their own resistance. Unlike a weight class, where you can see that the girl in front of you is lifting 5kgs on her bar, where you only have (a respectable!) 2kgs, nobody can tell how much resistance you have on your wheel. As you get stronger, you can increase your resistance. If you've just run 10k the day before and need a rest, you can put on a little less resistance and just move your legs, both burning calories and flushing your legs of lactic acid, helping to speed up your recovery.

5. You think that Spinning is not a good enough workout.
The motion of riding a bicycle strengthens your quads, hamstrings, hip flexors, and calves. You'll use your abs and back to stabilize your core. You'll build strength and stamina in all of the "hill climbs". You'll build endurance during the "races". Going all out in a spin class can cost you 500-800 calories and a lot of sweat. Be sure to bring lots of water and a towel!

6. You think that riding a bike is boring.
Like other group exercise classes, spin classes are set to music. Try a few instructors out, and see whose music and teaching styles you like best. I personally love the 80's music singalong classes the best. SINGING WHILE SPINNING!? yes! Singing while spinning allows you to budget your air so you can take in enough oxygen for your muscles, it makes you ensure that you have enough resistance on the wheel (if you don't have enough, your body and voice will start to shake), and, best of all, it makes time go by a lot faster.

7. You're afraid of the cliques and the woohoos.
Give it a try. When the instructor asks "HOW ARE YOU FEELING!?", fake it and give it a woohoo. You won't realize it, but you'll start to woohoo on your own because you want to. Like all group exercise classes, it's easy to feel like an outsider if you never go. But start to go to the same class every week, and you'll recognize some faces. Soon you're swapping stories before class and in the changeroom. You don't need to become best friends with your spinclassmates and start looking after each others' children. You just need to see a friendly, smiling face, to remind you that you're doing an awesome thing by coming out to class.

8. You don't have the time.
Bollocks. With classes scheduled in the morning, lunch and evening, at locations all over the city (in Ottawa, anyway), surely you can find a time that works for you. All you have to do is make a commitment to trying it out.

Give it three classes, and if you're not addicted by then, ok. Maybe spinning isn't for you. Maybe step or dance class is more up your alley? I gave it three times --I fell in love with the motion (and being able to find my Zone); I adored the instructors and their fun music; I became addicted... and now I've been teaching for two years. It's a good time, I'm not just being biased! :) I literally get paid for doing something I love. I feel alive when I spin. Which is really unlike how I feel when running. I love love love love love it.

I heart spinning!

By: Crystallina