It’s Spin Time
This morning I pulled myself out of bed at an early hour (that would be 8:15 for me…ha!) in order to go to the spin class at the gym. I joined the gym a few months ago before it opened, and I wasn’t sure if I was going to keep the membership since I really like to run, but I’ve always wanted to attempt to include cross training and weight lifting into my workout regime. Plus, it might be a good chance to meet some people who have a schedule similar to mine. Today was a scheduled cross training day per the great Pfitz, so I headed to the gym for the 9:15 spin class.
I’ve biked before (like the month when I stopped running in September/October!), but I’ve never taken a spin class. In high school, we would ride the stationary bikes when the weather didn’t allow us to run outside…mainly when there was lightning or a torrential downpour. I hated riding the bike in high school. Hated. Sooo it was going to be an interesting go this morning. I’m not a huge fan of exercise machines…I like feeling like I’m going somewhere, so anything outside is nice for that. I can run for hours outside, but three minutes on a treadmill and I’m done.
I arrived at the gym and grabbed a bike…I later learned that you’re supposed to sign up half an hour before the class to make sure everyone gets a bike (or you can’t attend the class!). Luckily there were just enough bikes so I didn’t have to embarrassingly leave class because I didn’t sign up. The instructor asked if it was anyone’s first time so I raised my hand. The woman on the bike next to me was really nice and gave me a bottle of water since I didn’t bring one. (Didn’t end up using it…but it was really nice of her!) She also adjusted my bike for me.
For the beginning of the class, I kept thinking, “This isn’t so bad.” I like to think I have pretty good cardiovascular fitness. With the music in the background and the instructor talking to us, I wasn’t getting bored or anything, which was a good sign! I don’t run with music (ever), but the music was motivational on the bike and helped me to not stare at the clock. For the first 45 minutes, I felt pretty good…I’m not really sure about the level of effort I was putting out since the resistance on bike is just a knob that you turn…no numbers or anything. The instructor kept telling us “okay, you should feel like you’re at a 4 now” or “let’s move it up to an 8!” but I wasn’t sure what that meant for me in terms of biking. I tried looking at the people around me to see how fast I was spinning in comparison to them. I think it’s everyone’s personal effort that matters and I was SWEATY so I guess whatever I was doing was fine.
With about fifteen minutes to go, we jacked up the resistance and stood up on the bikes…I was really feeling it!! No joke there. It’s definitely a different feeling than running…I know what it feels like to run fast (and uphill…even though I hate that!), but the burning sensation is definitely something else. I was definitely excited when the instructor told us that it was time for a cool down! My shirt (cotton…oops?) was nearly soaked and I understand why people bring towels to class!
I’m not exactly sure about my feelings on spinning, but I’ll definitely give it another try. I nearly fell off the bike the first time I stood up, so next time I’ll be smoother…haha.
Does anyone have any tips on lifting weights? I’m very intimidated about the weight machines and such at the gym, although I would like to add strength training to my workout schedule. (Um, mainly for purely physical reasons…who doesn’t want nice arms?? A high school coach also told us to “run with our arms” when our legs got tired…not sure if that’s true at all or not, but whatever.) Are people going to be staring me down thinking, “She has NO clue what she’s doing” or “Huh…what’s going on over there?” Any tips? Workout suggestions? I’m clueless. I could always google it, but I figure someone out there knows what they’re doing. 
I’m so jealous about Boston! I was procrastinated about registration and then the race filled up in record time…I totally did not expect it to fill up before T-giving.
Oh well, I will be seeing you there in 2011. I will not let myself miss registration again.
About weights:
Does your gym have a bodytump/turbopump, etc class? That can be a good way to get into the habit of lifting, and less intimidating than the weight room…
(At my gym we have a free weight room where all the meatheads go and a smaller nautilus room. When I lift on my own, I tend to go to the nautilus room because I like to be far away from the meatheads ;p)
weights: i hate ‘em. but i know i need them and they give results that are physical (MUCH more than the hours i spend running — that’s honestly more for my BRAIN than my body!).
i suggest looking online and mapping out a quick routine because if you’re like me, FAST is the only way you are going to have patience to actually do them. what i did was to actually pay for a package of 3 sessions with a trainer. i gave her my goal upfront: i want to be comfortable doing my own 20-30 minute routine and learn enough exercises so that i can vary things a little. if the trainer is not agreeable to helping you do something like this, then find another one
spin class = SO sweaty. and it’s totally based on ‘your’ effort so really i don’t think there’s any such thing as an ‘easy’ spin class. i totally know what oyu mean about the burn.
I am not the person to ask for advice about weightlifting
I go to the gym and try not to make myself look stupid.
Spinning is really tough for me. I think I will stick with running!
It’s hard to give you lifting advice without showing you the exercises, but I would just choose 1-2 exercises for each body part, focusing on the larger muscle groups first. For legs, do hamstrings, quads, glutes, calves, and maybe adductors/abductors. For upper body, do chest, back (upper and lower), shoulders, biceps, and triceps. Always do abs! When pressed for time, do pushups.
I’ve definitely done the “run with your arms” thing before, and I totally believe it helps. The faster you pump your arms the faster your legs go, its a balance thing.
As for the gym – I used to use the free weights, but I’ve found that the machines are so much more beneficial. They force you to push and lift in the best/ right direction so you’re really targeting a specific muscle group instead of just tossing weights around. I would say give the arm/ shoulders/ chest press machines a go and see how you like them. Usually in a gym they are grouped together. I would say go for higher reps and less weight, on some I’m only doing twenty total pounds with both arms but I do three sets of 20 reps for each.
wow look at you girl! that’s SO exciting
spin is so much fun and don’t worry about the cotton t haha i wear them all the time to class and have been spinning forev!
i would definitely say if you’re new to weights then take a few of the classes at the gym that incorporate weights. atleast it will make you feel a little more comfy with the weights! thats how i started out atleast
I like spinning! I used to teach it a few years ago but then got back into running again and it went out the window! Haha!
I like to use free weights, mainly because that’s all I have! I feel like I get a better workout with the free weights opposed to the machines. But that’s just me!
Glad you gave spinning a shot, I love it! It is a little annoying not knowing the numbers for everything, but it’s good too because it’s your own workout and you can go as hard or as easy as you need. As for weight lifting, I’m kind of clueless myself, that’s why I snagged someone to teach me the ropes! I often look around at what other people are doing too to give me ideas to try out later, that’s taught me a thing or two that’s really helped.
So, obviously you’re a way more experienced runner than I, but I definitely definitely definitely noticed an improvement in my running speed and power when I started biking, too. For a while I did spin classes, but now I don’t belong to a gym, I just bike (quickly because I hate doing anything slowly) for transportation. Aside from strengthening different sets of muscles than running does (that’s why they call it cross-training I guess), I’m not sure exactly how biking helps… Maybe it has something to do with getting used to quick leg turnover? Anyway, what else do you normally do to cross-train?
I enjoyed reading this post. It reminded me how I started with spin.
I’m not a huge exercise machine fan either. I prefer to be outside and as you said, to go somewhere. But I’ve gotten into the spin and I do enjoy it now and again as a way of cross training and for the feel good factor I get from the class’ energy.
I really like this website http://www.stumptuous.com/dont-fear-the-free-weights Krista gives some really good advice on her websites and also features simple beginner’s programmes. If you are new to it, I would recommend a lesson or two with a fitness instructor at your gym. Most gyms offer them for free.
Spinning seems to be so popular! Every time someone blogs about it they mention how full the classes are. So cool. I wish I could try it! It’s great that you did.
I just use the variety of weight machines that are in our gym. I try to work out all of my upper body and lower body. I really like doing V-dar pulldowns on the cable machines to work my triceps. I think that is my fave move.
I looove spinning if you can find a good instructor with good music. But I haven’t taken a class in almost a year now since I don’t belong to a gym anymore. I can’t believe you didn’t need a water bottle in that class. Spinning always makes me so thirsty.
Spinning is great! I’ve been doing it for a few years now. One quick tip, before you stand or go into 3rd position, make sure you have high enough resistance. If it’s too low (legs spinning very fast with little effort) then you won’t have enough support to be able to stand. Standing will make it easier with the higher resistance too.
The first couple classes you’ll just be getting used to the whole thing, but it’s well worth it. Also, try out different instructors. Each has their own style, music, etc. Enjoy!
Hi Suan!
Oh gosh, I have only taken spin once or twice in my life, and each time it has totally kicked my butt! Definitely different than running, but you are still such an athlete that I am sure next time you will sail through it!
I’ve never tried spinning. I’m sort of scared that I’ll pass out and look silly.
I’ve heard it’s super intense.
I’m also bad at weight lifting. I used to do it more often, but then I moved and switched gyms, and it always takes me a while to want to lift weights at a new gym with new annoying guys in front of the mirrors, haha.