What You Should Know About Spinning
Chances are, you have at some point in the recent past heard or overheard a conversation about spinning. Such a non-descriptive word may have you wondering what kind of crazy dance spinning involves or what strange equipment is necessary to participate.
Spinning classes are in fact cycling classes that take place in a large room full of stationary bicycles. There is an instructor present that will lead the participants through a series of varying high and low impact phases. They try to simulate an actual cycling environment with hills of varying resistance. The class environment is great for keeping motivated through competition among your peers while at the same time improving your cardio.
Joining a class is easy. There are many gyms and fitness clubs that offer regular classes and they do not require a gym membership. You can pay on a class by class basis, monthly, or opt for the gym membership that includes the scheduled activities. This is often times much cheaper than buying mountain bike, and frequently much more pleasant during bad weather.
Spinning is good choice for people starting out and for those who are veterans in fitness. A good benefit is that it makes it easy to find a friend to join you since you can control your own intensity and so every level is included in the same class. In addition, a 40 minute session can burn between 400 and 600 calories.
Like any exercise class, you will need comfortable and breathable clothing. A great short choice for the spinner are pearl izumi shorts that offer moisture removal and additional padding. They are great for both indoor and outdoor cycling.
If the weather is nice, and you are up for the challenge, you may want to opt for an outdoor cycle. Many gyms and cycle shops offer bicycles for rent by the day or the hour. They also have knowledgeable employees that can give you maps of local areas and offer advice for a route that will match your fitness level.
Before starting any fitness regimen, it is important to consult your doctor, especially when pregnant. Cycling is particularly hard on the knee and ankle joints so consultation is important to help avoid injury. Your doctor will be able to recommend the best course of action for you.
