Thread: Now I really don't get spin classes

I walk into my gym today, and there's a sign for a new set of spin classes next month. Get this: 2(!) hour classes on the four Sundays in October, 11 am to 1pm. And, it costs about 170 bucks (42.5 a session) to do this. Weird. October Sundays, if it isn't raining, are, like the best time of the year to ride, either road or MTB, around here. I mean, WTF, do any of these people actually ride bikes? Or, is that it?

The music really sucks, too.

Yeah,

Spin classes seem like somthing you do at night in the winter when there is like 3 feet of snow on all of the trails.

A photo of the hot female instructor would aid in the quest for understanding.

Clothing not required.

That's just it. I think I saw the instructor about a month or so ago talking this thing up. He's small, kinda dumpy and fat, quite nerdy. Definitely not a cyclist. Second one in two years I've seen with a gut. Weird.

Its Ghey, but it probably makes money!
Think about it. 1 trainer for multiple clients at $21/ hour
I pay my trainer $35 an hour to kick my ass! doesnt hurt that she's easy on the eyes.

I put together spinning classes a couple of years ago when i was working at "The Gym"

I found out times that would work, how much people were willing to pay, and who they wanted to run them.

People were looking for early morning, or after work, willing to pay a lot, and wanted a good looking women, or a tiny little military looking guy to be pushing them, yelling at them that they have to go. When they have hills, percentages and how long they have to do it.

I never signed up for a class, or took part. I do see why some people need these classes. In my mind, coming from a power lifter and a mountain biker, some people do not have the inter-drive to get things done. I will do what ever it takes to get me my inner buzz, as soon as its lost, I might join a spinning class. Until then I like the woods and dirt.

This post implies that you actually do something other than link NY Times stories in the Padded Room.

a lot of people that take spinning classes don't actually bike. they do it for the exercise and that's it. easier on the knees than running for those with arthritis, or just getting old.

I have to admit, I have a grudging respect for spinnerds.

The year that I raced Cat III and Expert XC, (3 podium finishes) I went to a spin class with a girl that I wanted to bang.

I got absolutely destroyed by the instructor, who said "she doesn't really like the outdoors".

Weird ass shit.

The other weird thing about spin classes is the 'spinning' seems to involve pounding a huge hear in strictly up down pounding leg motions. This isn't just the participants it often seems to be the instructor too.

Duh.

edg

when its -20 out spin classes are a better alternative altho I would usually find an old monark and a tv monitor to settle in for a 1hr sweat .The thing about health clubs is they need to find something new to do cuz being inside exercising is boring ...look at the step classes /bosu/kick bo/ aerobics hell soemone even patented no -bounce .

if spinclasses get somebody off their asss and exercising and someone makes money off of it that can't be a bad thing

What is the schedule for the pole-dancing classes?

I'll have a dollar bill burning a hole in my teeth.

Random thoughts;

I teach a spin class at my local college to the lazy-ass student. The quarter starts out with 30 and by the 3rd week we're down to 10. Half the class fails. Not sure why. Maybe it's because I belittle them.

Spinning is barely like riding outside. The biggest problem is that damn 50 lb flywheel. The guy in front may be sweating his ass off while the two chick behind him will be holding a conversation. Maybe it's different in a health club setting where presumably people are there to work out, but at the college where I teach many are there because they have to be.

My music kicks ass.

You know what I don't get. People who are going into a gym, to exercise INDOORS, bitching about about another group of people exercising indoors.
Talk about calling the kettle black.

I used to go to spin classes in winter to stay in cycling shape. The instructor played good music and pushed us. There were a few hot ladies in lycra that made it worth going.

I quit when the hotties stopped showing and a couple fat chicks would get there early to get the best bikes (3 of their bikes were decent, the others only adequate). I bought a trainer for $200 and used it a few times. Brutal, like putting a gun to your head. I may do some more spinning but it really depends on the instructor, music, and whether there's any eye candy. Under the right conditions, like night time in winter with a good group of folks, it can be quite fun and a killer workout.

The topic seems to imply that you got spin classes in the first place.

Originally Posted by radair

I bought a trainer for $200 and used it a few times. Brutal, like putting a gun to your head.

Assuming you are talking about the crushing boredom of stationary riding alone at home, try putting a TV in front of yourself and putting on ski/bike porn. It's amazingly motivating and otherwise our spin bike would never get used. Try doing intervals and such as well to break up the monotony.

Meh. Spin classes made me a faster runner, a stronger snowboarder, and impervious to hangovers.

One thing I really liked about them is doing intervals. You have much more control over the resistance than you do on the road and trails. And it's way safer. I've done some intervals on my commute and it's sketchy as hell pegging your heart rate such that you can hardly keep yourself upright, going 25 mph in traffic.


J-

Originally Posted by Gripen

You know what I don't get. People who are going into a gym, to exercise INDOORS, bitching about about another group of people exercising indoors.
Talk about calling the kettle black.

It's fucking dark outside around here after work. What do you want me to do, chase fucking deer with a flashlight?

Originally Posted by Benny Profane

It's fucking dark outside around here after work. What do you want me to do, chase fucking deer with a flashlight?

Running in the dark is fun, you pansy. Even better, RIDE in the dark.

Originally Posted by Daywalker

Running in the dark is fun, you pansy. Even better, RIDE in the dark.

I'm thinking about it, but that requires a few grand I don't have right now.

Originally Posted by Daywalker

Running in the dark is fun, you pansy. Even better, RIDE in the dark.

Heh that's true. I used to run in the dark in Germany. I was out on a path in the woods and it started raining, which blurred my glasses and made lots of odd noises in the trees around me and I got spooked. The couple miles I ran home have to be the fastest I've run ever. Which would be great training if I ever did it again.

We bought a spin bike and without someone yelling at me to push harder or when to start and stop intervals, it's not quite the same. I use an HRM, watch bike movies, come up with a plan for intervals... but I forget to look at my watch and start daydreaming about trails and it's not nearly the workout I get in an actual spin class.

Of course, one of the classes I was going to was taught by a crazy lady with no body fat who was determined to keep up with her husband who wins some annual hill climb race. So spin classes with her were killer. I could just get spin classes with no gym membership, I'd probably do it in winter. Though let's be serious - where the hell am I fitting that into my schedule with speed skating 3x/wk, a day of dry land training, skiing, xc skiing...

Originally Posted by altagirl

where the hell am I fitting that into my schedule with speed skating 3x/wk, a day of dry land training, skiing, xc skiing, motorcycles, bicycles, career, husband, dog, cat, house, eating, drinking...

Who needs a spin class, hell I'm exhausted. [winkie]

Originally Posted by Daywalker

Running in the dark is fun, you pansy. Even better, RIDE in the dark.

singletrack way out on the XC trails in the dark in snow is even more fun

but come winter in town you got snowy & icy sidewalks/roads with zero traction is the biggest reason I wouldnt run in winter .

Thro in -10 or -20 C ,cars that can't see you in the dark or stop and going to the Y to use the bikes or a treadmill is a better option