What You Need to Know About Spinning Classes

There are a few things you need to know before you take your first spinning class. Spinning is one of the most popular exercise trends of the past decade, and for good reason. An indoor cycling program, spinning has the preferred method of cardiovascular exercise for many people, and serves as a great way to either start a morning, take a break in the afternoon or wind an evening down. When signing up for a spinning class for the first time, many people are apprehensive about what they’re getting themselves into. The fact is, spinning is not difficult to learn, and can be beneficial for just about anyone.

Spinning is Hard Work

Spinning classes often begin light and easy, but can rapidly progress into being an extremely intense form of exercise. As a result, no one should enroll in a spinning class without first talking to their doctor. If you have any health condition that restricts you from exercising, spinning is likely not a good fit for you, and should be avoided along with other high-intensity cardiovascular workouts.

Spinning is Led by an Instructor

Almost any spinning class that you sign up for will be lead by an instructor. This is precisely what makes spinning different from simply riding a stationary bike, and can be very beneficial in terms of motivation. A spinning instructor will help the class ride as a cohesive unit, and push you to reach goals that you set either on your own or in conjunction with the program.

Spinning is Not a Competition

One of the biggest concerns people have about joining a spinning class is that they’re going to have difficulty keeping up with others. The fact is, most spinning classes allow you to tailor the exercise specifically to your fitness level, meaning you don’t have to worry about not being the most physically fit person in the room. Those who are new to spinning often begin at a very light level and move up in speed and resistance gradually, while people who have been doing it for quite some time will usually push themselves to reach new goals.

Spinning is a Great Way to Burn Calories

Aside from being an excellent method of improving your cardiovascular fitness, joining a spinning class will help you immensely in the quest to burn calories. A typical spinning class lasts for approximately 45 minutes, during which time the average person will burn anywhere from 400 to 600 calories. The number of calories burned depends heavily upon how fast you pedal, as well as resistance settings.

Spinning Requires the Right Gear

While you don’t have to worry about shelling exorbitant amounts of money out for spinning equipment, you’ll find that spinning class will be far more comfortable if you’re wearing the right clothing. Cycling shorts that are padded will make sitting for long periods of time more comfortable than if you were to wear regular shorts, and tops that incorporate moisture-wicking will allow your core to breathe more easily. You may also want to wear a heart monitor, which will help you to pay accurate attention to your heart rate so that you can keep it steady.

Once you've tried a spinning class, you may find that it becomes your favorite form of exercise.