| Have you ever taken a spinning class? If not, I | | | | doesn't mean you have to do it. You are in |
| suggest you try it. Spinning will do wonders for | | | | control, and you can turn it as much or as little as |
| your running, and you just might enjoy it. At the | | | | you want. Since then, I've heard many spin |
| very least, count on being challenged and burning | | | | instructors explain as much. After all, they really |
| lots of calories. | | | | do want all members of their class to succeed |
| First, you may have heard of 'spinning,' but | | | | and return next time. |
| maybe you have never attended a class and | | | | This time I spent a few minutes with the |
| don't really understand the difference between | | | | instructor before class. First, she showed me how |
| going out for a bike ride and spinning. Well, the | | | | to determine the correct seat and handlebar |
| difference is greater for some than others, but | | | | adjustment; then she explained the three hand |
| besides the fact that they both involve cycling, | | | | positions she would refer to during class. This |
| they are quite different. I'll attempt to mke that | | | | provided me with some confidence. Of course, it |
| distinction clear. | | | | also helped that the class was less intense |
| Spinning, as you probably already know, is an | | | | because it was a beginner class. I survived, and |
| exercise performed on specially designed spinning | | | | that was the first of many, many weekly spinning |
| bikes, indoors, usually in a group, with music, and | | | | classes. In fact, our local YMCA sponsored a Tour |
| led by a motivational instructor who chooses | | | | de Y challenge during the Tour de France, which |
| music specifically chosen for the class. Classes | | | | required participants to take two spinning classes |
| normally last for 45 minutes to an hour, but at | | | | a week. I did, and discovered an amazing result: |
| some gyms there are hard-core spinners who | | | | Spinning is g-r-e-a-t cross training for running. Well, |
| take two or even three classes in a row. Yeah, | | | | it's great for many reasons. |
| three. | | | | Spinning Benefits |
| Oh, one more thing, it's generally quite intense. So, | | | | - It builds strength. Spinning is an intense leg |
| if you're comparing it to a leisurely bike ride | | | | exercise that utilizes virtually every leg muscle, at |
| around the neighborhood, think again. It's more like | | | | least if you do it correctly. You'll know that, |
| a strenuous, high-speed, 20 mile ride on varying | | | | because you'll feel it by the end of the class and |
| terrain. | | | | even more the next day. A good instructor will |
| Spinning has been popular for years. I first tried it | | | | remind you use your muscles to push the pedal |
| several years ago; at the time my husband and I | | | | down, then toward the back and then to pull it up |
| frequently rode our mountain bikes for two hours | | | | and forward. |
| or more on off-road trails. We thought we were | | | | - Spinning moves the legs in a completely natural |
| working hard. It seemed like it, and my significant | | | | circular motion, and although it is intense, there is |
| hamstrings and quads were impressive proof. | | | | no pounding as there is in running. A good |
| So my daughter Wendy and I decided to join a | | | | instructor will have participants standing some of |
| spinning class at the gym. I lasted about ten | | | | the time, spinning with lower resistance part of |
| minutes and never felt like I got the hang of it at | | | | the time, and spinning with higher resistance at |
| all. I recall my feet flying off the pedals and my | | | | other times, providing a very complete workout. |
| pride dashing out the door only moments before | | | | - It's an intense cardio workout, easily as intense |
| my physical self made a sheepish exit. | | | | as most speed work. |
| Three years later, after hearing many people | | | | - The high cadence, 90 rpm or higher most of the |
| drop the 'spinning' word, I decided to try again. | | | | time, is a great way to increase leg turnover for |
| The experience was a little better, but when the | | | | running. For many runners, increasing turnover is |
| instructor asked us to stand and hover several | | | | the single best way to improve race times. |
| inches above the seat for a prolonged period, I | | | | - It's an ideal workout when the weather prohibits |
| knew I couldn't last, and after thirty minutes, I | | | | outdoor training. |
| ducked out again. | | | | - You can count on the instructor to motivate the |
| Now, keep in mind I'm no wimp. I was running 30 | | | | group; every instructor is different, so visit |
| miles a week and frequently competing in half | | | | several classes. You're bound to find an instructor |
| marathons around this time. I was also swimming | | | | you particularly like, and you will get to know the |
| regularly. Most people would think I was in | | | | other people in the class; that always makes it |
| excellent condition. Obviously, there was still room | | | | more fun. |
| for improvement. Lots of room. | | | | - Spinning is a great way to burn a lot of calories |
| That experience taught me that despite the | | | | in a short time. |
| running and racing I was doing, my leg muscles | | | | Because you are in a class, you are less likely to |
| were not strong enough. I think most runners | | | | back off; this is good, for the most part, but as |
| assume they don't need to strength train their | | | | always, if you are not feeling up to par, it's |
| lower body because those muscles get adequate | | | | important to listen to your body and back off. |
| training while running. Apparently, that is far from | | | | As for me, six weeks after I first started spinning |
| the case. I can't explain why this is so, but I | | | | I ran a new 5k PR, and I found that my easy |
| absolutely know this to be true. | | | | running pace dropped by almost a minute. |
| A year later, determined, I signed up for a | | | | Amazing! |
| beginning spinning class. By this time, my friends | | | | I am so glad to have finally become successful at |
| had pointed out a helpful hint. Just because the | | | | this excellent activity, and I recommend it to |
| teacher says to increase the resistance, which is | | | | runners and everyone else. |
| accomplished by turning a knob on the bike, | | | | |