Spin classes
Bristol newbie
Posts: 149
in General Chat
Due to the rubbish weather we've been experiencing (UK) I've not exactly been eager to jump on the bike and cycle into the driving rain!
I recently started doing a spin class twice a week due to the lack of opportunity to do real miles plus
I dont own a turbo.
What are peoples general opinions on spin classes..... are they likely to benefit me?
Its too early to tell for me personally but would love to know everyones thought.
Should i invest in a turbo? can anyone recommend a decent resonably price turbo?
Lee
I recently started doing a spin class twice a week due to the lack of opportunity to do real miles plus
I dont own a turbo.
What are peoples general opinions on spin classes..... are they likely to benefit me?
Its too early to tell for me personally but would love to know everyones thought.
Should i invest in a turbo? can anyone recommend a decent resonably price turbo?
Lee
0
Comments
The other thing to be careful of is that these classes are usually very high intensity, the type of training you would probably be doing later in the season in order to peak for racing. While I wouldn't say don't do them, I would suggest you limit how many you do a week and don't let them stop you from doing your longer rides outdoors.
David.
Boycie, funny you should say all that about the press ups during the class cos it happened and i wasn't feeling it!!! i was sceptical (correct spelling?) about it but hit the class hard anyway!
Boycie, what would u recommend doing considering the weather and limited opportunities to get out there? i have to do something without risking life or limb out on the roads in these conditions? I wanna put the miles in but cant if dead!!! Am i being overly paranoid?
I've made good progress but dont wanna plateau, any suggestions?
Also, I'm off on my hols for 3 weeks soon but have access to good gym and florida coastline, i'll be taking my wetsuit and will run train but I'm really worried about cycling.... so, any suggestions? My knowledge about cycling is limited, its by far my weakest leg so any tip are welcome! please chuck me info guys!
peace out,
Lee
There is no easy answer to that one, I think it's the biggest problem alot of us have at this time of year. At the risk of sounding hard arse, you just have to get out there if you want to rack up the miles. Doing it with a group or some friends may make it easier and more motivating, not to mention safer if an accident does happen. There are always the options of training indoors but a couple of hours on an exercise bike or turbo trainer is going to get boring.
However you may have answered your own question with a well timed trip to Florida. Sounds like the perfect time to hire a bike and get out on the roads a couple of times a week in some sunshine (I'm guessing the weather will be better than here), maybe see if there is a group you can get in with. That would be ideal but I know it isn't always that easy when you're away.
David.
Now that really sounded pessimistic, didn't it?[:)]
No, seriously, I'd go with Boycie: pick the best days there are to get and get out on your bike. Squeeze in some turbo on the other days, but make the real deal your main part. You'll be happy you did it afterwards.
The times in my gym don't suit me but in the run up to the race season I'll do a few spin classes and try and do a 40 minute run straight afterwards. It's a good way of saving the hassle of changing shoes and locking your bike. It's sounds a bit daft but I'll run straight out of the gym with my towel in my hand, run past my house, throw the towel over the front wall and come back to it later!
Just be careful and ignore some instructions if you think they're a bit questionable. I've been to some great spin classes and some where the instructor seems to be making it up as they go along...for instance, crouching over the bike below the height of the saddle and turning high resistance at a restricted range of movement? asking for knee trouble!
Thought the spinning was a nice change and as I read before, when done right, it certainly does give you jelly legs - anyone for the treadmill next!!
hard thing with the spinning that its hard to measure your performance - all down to effort levels.
With the rain, I'm a bit of woose actually, but I recently seen the light and thought what do I do if its pissing down with a head wind on race day...so I am getting out there now. Like above, trying join up with some mates, get the wet weather gear and feel good when you come in!
Instructors vary but I do my own thing and we have one instructor now, Steve, who is a cyclist and gives good interval training, no push ups or hovers and doesn't mind when I hop off the bike without cool down & leg it straight to the treadmill (to the embarrassment of my wife)
I go straight from work so it's very convenient and has helped with stamina and cardio
With all this new found money(ish) can you recommend a half decent turbo that won't cost me an arm and a leg. Looking to spend around the £100 marker to start off with. I don't want to spend too much just yet as I may get bored with it as there won't be anybody around to shout at me if i'm slacking a bit.
[:)]
Cheers
FW