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.

I will not be discouraged!

Went to Spin class tonight with the intention of doing my typical Monday night back-to-back classes. About half way through my first class I started getting some twinges of pain in my left knee. I decided against doing the second class and I continued to experience pain as I have been walking around this evening. I am not going to get discouraged! I don't know what is happening, but I will find a way to continue my fitness efforts. I intend to talk to my doctor about what is going on. As long as he doesn't tell me I have to stop cycling like he told me to stop running.

Oh no, not again!

I got to Morro Bay last night with every intention of going to Spin class. When I got out of my truck, my left knee buckled and the pain of my osteoarthritis had returned. Understand, I had experienced no pain whatsoever for months, ever since I started taking my anti-inflammatory. I was, in fact, thinking about asking the doctor if I really needed to keep taking it or not. I had even considered starting to do some light running again, against doc's wishes. So much for that! I went ahead and rested it last night, had some light pain today but is much better. I don't have time for a workout tonight, hopefully tomorrow I can do something.

Wildflower Century training

OK, doctor says that I can't run anymore. At 60 I came up with some osteoarthritis in my left knee. Probably related to a 40 year old surgery on that knee. Guess I never will run that marathon I have been putting off for about 30 years. Regardless, doc seems to think that pounding the pavement with 180 lbs centered directly over that knee may not be the best idea. Said something about an eventual knee replacement, sounds expensive, painful and basically undesirable. He did say that I could do other kinds of exercise - swimming, walking, cycling, anything that doesn't have the high degree of impact associated with running. Since I have already been doing spinning classes at the gym anyway, I got my wife to buy me a road bike for Christmas and decided I was going to do a 'century', a 100 mile bike race. That is roughly the equivalent, I hope, of running a 26.2 mile marathon. So I signed up for the Wildflower Century in San Luis Obispo County California in April of this year. I have been Spinning for 4-1/2 years and am doing 2-4 classes a week. My longest road bike ride thus far has been 32 miles, so I need to get off my duff and get in some longer rides. Stay tuned