Late last summer, I finally took the plunge and joined the local health club, in hopes of shedding the 20 or so pounds that had crept up on me over the years. Although I’d been a health club member in years past, I knew my approach would have to be different, seeing as I’m not in my 20’s any more.
A very important consideration for my workout routine was, very frankly, not to hate it! After years of bone jarring jogging and climbing Stairmasters, I knew I could go back to those routines, but I wouldn’t stay with them long term. Yet, it was important to burn fat, develop and maintain cardiovascular fitness, and hopefully enjoy myself at the same time.
Not long after I joined, I began to observe the various aerobic class options. A group environment might help me stay motivated, I thought to myself. One of the more intriguing options seemed to be an indoor cycling class. As my fellow members left the indoor cycling class, they seemed somewhat exhausted but happy. That seemed like a perfect combination to me!
Upon arriving, the first thing I learned was that the instructor didn’t refer to the class as an indoor cycling class. Instead, the term she used was spin class. Sixty minutes later, my head was slightly spinning. I’d had a challenging, enjoyable workout, with absolutely no pounding, jumping, or jarring. My first thought was that I’d finally found a great workout that I could stick with. And, several months later, stick with it I have!
Despite me just discovering spin classes, they aren’t new at all. In our class, we had students ranging in age from teenager to a few people in their 60’s. These classes are flexible enough to be appropriate for all fitness levels. Our instructor told us we typically burn several hundred calories per class, depending on our own exertion level.
Most spin classes are one hour in duration, offering plenty of time to warm up and reach what my instructer calls the “fat burning zone”. Heart rate monitors are available, which allow participants to see how hard they’re working. A good instructor will explain the nuances of a typical class, as well as helping newer participants become acclimated.
As for the class itself, you’ll cycle on a stationary bike which is specially suited for spin classes. Adjusting the bike to your height and comfort level takes only a minute or two. Similar to other aerobic classes, you’ll cycle along to music, provided by the instructor, with slower songs for warm up and cool down, and more energetic music during periods of higher exertion.
In talking with other class members, many have pointed out they appreciate being able to work out at their own pace. Instructors are trained to emphasize this point. Part of an instructor’s training is to help motivate the class, while recognizing the varying fitness capacities of participants.
All in all, spin classes have proven to be a very effective part of my workout routine. Even two classes per week have given me a significantly greater fitness level and loss of weight. Combined with other forms of exercise like moderate resistance training, indoor cycling classes can help you reach your desired level of fitness. Don’t be afraid to try a spin class at your local health club.
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
0 Responses to “Why Indoor Cycling Classes Are A Great Cardio Workout”