|   spinning classes???... | Bellullabob
Jan 8, 2004 1:09 PM | | I am a decent sports class rider, and am looking to keep up my fitness during the New England winter months. To try to find new fun ways to ride on something stationairy over the winter I have been joining spinning classes.
Most of the teachers though try to get you to spin at a low rpm but with much resistance. I had been up to that time trying to concentrate more on intervals while keeping my rpms high (+- 105) then on high resistance. This was the plan I followed last year, which I felt realy help me to improve.
Though I do well with endurance and flat areas, one area i feel I could do better is with long climbs. How will this type of spinning influence my riding? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated...thnx |
| Yes | GlazedHam
Jan 9, 2004 6:51 AM | | Honestly, as a "decent sport class rider", any type or riding will help. I like the fact that the bikes don't freewheel; helps with form. Don't let the instructor force you into that constant low cadence stuff because working on form is best done at your most comfortable race pace.
The bikes are not very adjustable as you may have noticed which may hinder training your form, but is certainly think it will help keep your fitness up. |
| re: spinning classes???... | AndrewMcD
Jan 9, 2004 7:30 AM | | I've added spinning classes to my midwinter training in an effort to work on form and keep a little intensity in the training. I work at a University and the spinning classes are offered as "fitness" classes for students and employees. The instructors, and I've worked with three, have a consistant approach that keeps a good mix of leg speed and loading. I like the classes because it's a structured approach to doing something that takes a lot of self-discipline to do consistantly at home. (I have no self-discipline!) I also like the fact that despite the structure I can vary the load or cadence to suit my needs. I don't expect spinning classes for a few months in the winter to greatly alter or influence my riding but rather provide a good way to maintain fitness and make small improvements in form. |
| Another spinning question...... | bellullabob
Jan 10, 2004 10:03 AM | | While spinning (one or two "n's"?), the instructors have the class do a lot of what I would imagine to be road style climing: low rpm, heavy resistance, and standing. It was my understanding that standing while pedaling consumed more energy than staying seated. Is this true? And if so will this type of spinning be adversive to the upcoming mtb racing season? thnx. |
| Another spinning question...... | AndrewMcD
Jan 10, 2004 4:44 PM | | I think it unlikely you'll pick up too many bad habits that will adversely affect your mountainbiking from a spin class. Anything you do in the winter to maintain aerobic fittness and build leg strength is liable to be a plus provided it's not taking away from time on your bike. When standing and "climbing" in the spin class I try to focus on keeping good form, keep your head still and level and focus on peadalling circles. I believe it will all translate to faster riding in the spring.
I believe it is generally understood that climbing while seated is more efficient than climbing standing. I've never seen any studies to confirm this but my own experience would cause me to believe this is true. |
| Yep... | free-agent
Jan 15, 2004 7:59 AM | | Why do most of your training standing, when you do most of your climbing seated? There's a reason most of us (that I know anyway) do 99% of our intervals sitting-we sit while we race!
I highly recommend finding a spin instructor that is an avid cyclist first, and spin instructor second. When I used to do spin class my instructor was an old-school roadie and did a great job! He understood my needs as a mtb racer and allowed me to do what I wanted during the class. I followed his lead in terms if interval times and rest periods, but I always did my stuff sitting. |
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