Spinning - what's the big deal?

Ok, so you don't have a lot of time during the work week to get your cardiovascular training in, but you know you feel and perform so much better when you do. You get bored on the cardiovascular machinery and find yourself just slogging through the workout. Spin classes may be the change you need! Working out with a structured format with a group can help motivate and push you to a higher level of fitness. The teacher provides guidelines and it's up to the individuals to modify or intensify when necessary. I like my students to wear HR monitors when possible so we can establish training zones and have some measureable parameters to work with during the class. A good spin class should have a training objective, teach cycling techniques that apply to "outdoor" bicycling such as cadence work, strength, endurance and HR based exercises.

If you have never taken taken a spin class before, tell the instructor so he/she can set your bike fit as well as give you some pointers beforehand. Bring water and a towel as you are guarenteed to sweat.

For those of you spinning "veterans", start monitoring your HR, it may give you a better idea of how to improve your training. Not everyone has the same HR zones and these can be determined a few different ways. (not just age predicted cause if that was the case, I'd be long dead!)
At Club One, we offer a great 8 week Spin camp based on a short periodized program. The objective is to teach the fundamentals of cycling training, build an endurance base, build bike leg strength and condition the CV system through a series of exercises and intervals. By week 9 the participants are ready to be able to endure a 3 hour Spin Class finale! I'm running one now and we are finishing up the strength phase and my class is awesome! It's a lot of fun to see everyone getting stronger.