Spinning

Besides riding my road bike, I love to Spin. If you don't know what that is, it is a stationary bike ride done on special Spin bikes in organized Spinning classes by certified instructors. It was invented by Johnny G and is an incredible cardio burn. I generally burn between 450 and 600 calories in a 45-minute class.

At the gym where I go, they are cutting some of the Spin classes because of lack of participation. Classes that can handle 20 participants are only getting 5-10 per class. Some of us regulars have gone out and talked to gym members about coming to Spin class. The perception seems to be that it is too hard. They are intimidated by the intensity. We try to explain that when you are new, in no way are you expected to keep up with the instructor or the regulars. Everybody is allowed to work at their own pace and gradually get stronger. That intimidation factor still keeps them away. I wish I could think of a way to get more people into Spinning.

My experience: I took my first Spin class in October of 2002. Foolishly, I tried to keep up with everything the instructor asked and I ended up working way too hard for my current fitness level. I was 56 at the time, and just beginning an effort to get into shape. I left that class swearing I would never go back, it was just too difficult. I didn't go back for 3 months, but I finally decided that I wasn't going to let it beat me. I went back, but this time I worked at a level that I could do, the next time I did a little bit more.... Now, I have been doing 2 or 3 classes a week ever since and I can out-ride all the young-uns in the class. So I know it works, I just wish I could get people inspired to give it a try - the proper way!

Some wise advice

One of the things I love to do is Spinning. If you are not familiar, Spinning is a particular type of workout on a special Spinning stationary bike. It was invented by a guy named Johnny G and is a terrific cardio workout. A class generally lasts about 45 minutes. I have been known to do two classes on a Monday night with 50 minutes on the bike on my own in between classes, a total of about 2-1/2 hours on the bike. I like the way I feel after one of these workouts. I have an online Spin buddy who is also a personal trainer. She tells me that these long sessions may be counter-productive. Her point is that anything over about 45 minutes can start to burn muscle mass rather than fat cells, especially if done at an intensity that approaches VO2 max.

I have to do some thinking about this. I definitely don't want to burn muscle, but at the same time I want to train to be able to stay on the bike for extended periods of time. There is no way I can get into a Spin class and not work intensely, so I may need to re-think the double sessions.