semi-OT: spinning?

Monique Y. Herman said:

I need to do something to keep myself in some sort of non-round shape during these short winter
weekdays. Turns out my local YMCA has one-hour spinning classes at convenient after-work times.

Do you usually wear the cycling-type butt-padded spandex, or just regular shorts? What sorts of
shoes are worn? Etc etc what should I bring so that I'm relatively happy during my first session?

That's what lights are for. Or rollers. Or a stationary trainer. A little Black Flag on the
headphones and I'm a helluva lot more motivated on my rollers than I am at some cheesy
spinning class.

Greg

--
"Destroy your safe and happy lives before it is too late, the battles we fought were long and hard,
just not to be consumed by rock n' roll..." - The Mekons

Monique Y. Herman said:

I need to do something to keep myself in some sort of non-round shape during these short winter
weekdays. Turns out my local YMCA has one-hour spinning classes at convenient after-work times.

Do you usually wear the cycling-type butt-padded spandex, or just regular shorts? What sorts of
shoes are worn? Etc etc what should I bring so that I'm relatively happy during my first session?

Most spinners have big cushy seats, not the saddles you're used to. You don't need butt padding for
them. In fact, you'll sweat more with pads. Running shoes are fine for spinning. It should be
something that is comfortable. There are some things that I can't do without during spinning:

Water Bottle Sweat Wicking clothing (cool max type stuff, bike shirt, shorts with or without the
padding, and especially cool max socks).

Monique Y. Herman said:

I need to do something to keep myself in some sort of non-round shape during these short winter
weekdays. Turns out my local YMCA has one-hour spinning classes at convenient after-work times.

Do you usually wear the cycling-type butt-padded spandex, or just regular shorts? What sorts of
shoes are worn? Etc etc what should I bring so that I'm relatively happy during my first session?

I wear both regular gym shorts, and cycling shorts. It just depends on what I grab that morning on
the way to work. I'm sure it depends on what type of bikes they have. Ours have actual real bike
saddles on them. Many folks in the class won't get on the bike without one of the cushy gel seat
covers, but that just gives me amusement as I watch them slide all over the place in an effort to
keep centered.

All our bikes have clips and straps, and about half are also equipped with SPD compatible pedals. As
a dedicated ATAC user, I don't own any SPD shoes and don't intend to buy any just for winter
spinning. I do fine with my running shoes. After all, it ain't like you're actually going anywhere.

Bottom line is you may want to go check out the bikes and see what they have before you decide.
Bring water and a towel to wipe off the sweat. Sweat-wicking clothing helps, but it doesn't do much
for your hands, handlebars, and face. Some folks wear cycling gloves, but I find the bar
sufficiently padded, and since there's no brakes or shifters there's never a penalty for moving or
shifting hands.

I like spin 'cause its a great cycling workout, but it's not anything I want to devote myself to as
a hobby. I work right across the street from the fitness center where classes are held, so
convenience is key. Some people just love it, I tolerate it as an effective lunchtime
workout....plus the instructor is a hottie, though I'm sure you aren't interested in hearing my
fantasies about the Spin Mistress 😉

Good luck

Tom

"Monique Y. Herman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I need to do something to keep myself in some sort of non-round shape during these short winter
weekdays. Turns out my local YMCA has one-hour spinning classes at convenient after-work times.

Do you usually wear the cycling-type butt-padded spandex, or just regular shorts? What sorts of
shoes are worn? Etc etc what should I bring so that I'm relatively happy during my first session?

--
monique

I'm attaching an excerpt from the Diary of Frankie Andreu on spin class. He is a former USPS rider
and helped Lance Armstrong in a couple Tour De France tours.

"
01/25/00

I don't know if it helped but it couldn't have hurt. I wasn't nervous, as I am sometimes heading
into training camp in California. I know my winter work was enough to keep up, but the question was
would it be enough to do something in the early races.

There was one thing I did that had better have helped because it was hard as hell. During the
holidays, when the weather was bad, I went to my health club and jumped into one of those Spin
classes. Our class had the Reebok bikes, which were great, because they had clipless pedals on one
side of the pedals. When I went the first time I didn't know this and I did the class in my tennis
shoes while everyone around me was using their mountain-bike shoes. The next time I changed my
shoes, draped my towel over the handlebars like everyone else does, and hunkered down for a good
workout. I couldn't believe how hard it was; the instructor was killing me!

I know the best thing about the Spin classes are that they're made for everyone, you can go as hard
or as easy as you want. You adjust the friction on the machine depending on how hard you feel like
going. I decided I would follow the instructions of the teacher. When she said one click down, I
made it harder. It was amazing how much she kept saying, "OK, now just one more click to finish it
off." I thought I had the brake on it felt so hard. This was while she was up front chit-chatting
with the group. I could barely catch my breath while she was chirping, ".and one, and two, and
three, a little longer now."

After three classes of this torture I finally decided to watch the instructor instead of watching my
bike. When she was telling us to go seven clicks down to start the mountain I was trying to peer
underneath her towel to see if she was actually going seven clicks down. It was hard to see
underneath that damn towel, but I saw what she was doing. She would go down three or four then back
it up two, then down two, and back it up three. You know what that meant--she was cheating. Maybe
not cheating but at least I felt better now.

Either way it was a great sweat and the fastest hour to pass that I've ever done on a turbo. In
those terms I can't complain. At least at camp I don't have to peer under any towels to see what
gear everyone is using. I'll know straight away why I'm suffering when Lance is going up the
mountains in the big ring."

Spinning at home on my roller, I wear what I'm wearing, it's the beauty of not having to do anything
but get on and ride.

If I took the time to make a choice, I'd wear whatever was comfortable.

My issue using my MTN bike on the roller is;

Knot Knobby(?)

Knobby is knoisy and knvibritory(?)

I'm waiting for my new spare rear wheel to arrive, I'm fitting it with a slick to ride on my roller.

I've already had to speen $6 on lengthening the main 1"3/8" sq tube spar, it was way short for the
MTN bike, I also shaved off 2" from the front support, (old style sqewer to fork design) and made a
PVC saddle for the BB to sit in. and plasti-dip-coated a new j-bolt wing-nut deu-hicky to hold the
BB down to the roller mount.

I can't wait to spin. I love it anytime I feel like a little workout, but don't have the time for a
ride, zero prep, 30min of spinning and I'm good-ta-go.

JeffP....

"Monique Y. Herman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I need to do something to keep myself in some sort of non-round shape during these short winter
weekdays. Turns out my local YMCA has one-hour spinning classes at convenient after-work times.

Do you usually wear the cycling-type butt-padded spandex, or just regular shorts? What sorts of
shoes are worn? Etc etc what should I bring so that I'm relatively happy during my first session?

--
monique

jim said:

After three classes of this torture I finally decided to watch the instructor instead of watching
my bike. When she was telling us to go seven clicks down to start the mountain I was trying to
peer underneath her towel to see if she was actually going seven clicks down. It was hard to see
underneath that damn towel, but I saw what she was doing. She would go down three or four then
back it up two, then down two, and back it up three. You know what that meant--she was cheating.
Maybe not cheating but at least I felt better now.

Heh, these instructors who say, "add on" about fifteen times during a hill climb - I wonder who
they're really fooling. Obviously first-timers like Frankie and I was once (duh). I kicked my own
ass my first time too because I was a stud outdoor rider and actually added resistance every time
she said to. And she forgot to say we could "gear down" sometimes.

As an instructor, I can tell you we aren't working as hard as you "students" are. We have to be able
to talk after all, as well as try to keep track of anyone who's dying. Plus, we might do two+ rides
or other classes any given day. I know that when I take an outdoor ride after doing a morning class,
I feel it in my legs.

It'll probably take a class or two to learn the pacing you like. Don't forget that you have the
option of doing what the instructor says you should, or doing something else.

Cycling shorts are good for chafing avoidance. The squishy saddles make such things worse. It's nice
to keep the "interface" "clean."

Cycling shoes are good for avoiding numb toes. Or you can just not tighten the straps down so much.
The majority of spin bikes have SPD on one side and straps on the other. I use my old Cannondale
shoes with recessed Frog cleats.

Check at the club to find an instructor who actually bikes, unless you do happen to like the giggly
aerobic routine. Instructor styles vary widely.

--
--
Lynn Wallace xmission.com~lawallOpen ↗
"We should not march into Baghdad. ... Assigning young soldiers to
a fruitless hunt for a securely entrenched dictator and condemning
them to fight in what would be an unwinnable urban guerilla war, it
could only plunge that part of the world into ever greater
instability." George Bush Sr. in his 1998 book "A World Transformed"

Ride-A-Lot said:

Most spinners have big cushy seats, not the saddles you're used to. You don't need butt padding
for them. In fact, you'll sweat more with pads. Running shoes are fine for spinning. It should be
something that is comfortable. There are some things that I can't do without during spinning:

You must be thinking plain excersise bikes and not spining bikes or else all the spining bikes we
have here in Denmark are not like most:-)

The usual spining bike has Look pedals and a sadel much like a sporty road bike eg. not an ultra
light sadel but the shape is just fine.

Regards

Bruno

--
To mail me write to iddqdATworldonline.dk (U know what 2 do)

More of these westocykler.dkwestocykler.dkOpen ↗ would mean less cars and less polution.

Monique Y. Herman scribbled on a scrap of paper:

Quoted message said:

I need to do something to keep myself in some sort of non-round shape during these short winter
weekdays. Turns out my local YMCA has one-hour spinning classes at convenient after-work times.

Do you usually wear the cycling-type butt-padded spandex, or just regular shorts? What sorts of
shoes are worn? Etc etc what should I bring so that I'm relatively happy during my first session?

yes, wear shorts and cleats.

Bring a good attitude: remember it's not real riding and you'll be fine. Most of the people in my
classes don't even own a real bike. For bonus, watch a few Pete F. videos before you go, it will
give you some good visualizations. Also, get a HRM... I found using one helped immensely for finding
different levels... I was working way too hard.

Penny

Ride-A-Lot scribbled on a scrap of paper:

Quoted message said:

Monique Y. Herman said:

I need to do something to keep myself in some sort of non-round shape during these short winter
weekdays. Turns out my local YMCA has one-hour spinning classes at convenient after-work times.

Do you usually wear the cycling-type butt-padded spandex, or just regular shorts? What sorts of
shoes are worn? Etc etc what should I bring so that I'm relatively happy during my first session?

Most spinners have big cushy seats, not the saddles you're used to. You don't need butt padding
for them. In fact, you'll sweat more with pads. Running shoes are fine for spinning. It should be
something that is comfortable. There are some things that I can't do without during spinning:

Water Bottle Sweat Wicking clothing (cool max type stuff, bike shirt, shorts with or without the
padding, and especially cool max socks).

Schwin makes a seat adapter that you can buy for $29 and bolt your own saddle too. I disagree with
sneakers, my feet hurt if I don't wear cleats.

Penny

tcmedara scribbled on a scrap of paper:

Quoted message said:

I like spin 'cause its a great cycling workout, but it's not anything I want to devote myself to
as a hobby. I work right across the street from the fitness center where classes are held, so
convenience is key. Some people just love it, I tolerate it as an effective lunchtime
workout....plus the instructor is a hottie, though I'm sure you aren't interested in hearing my
fantasies about the Spin Mistress 😉

Good luck

Tom

Tolerate is right. <g>

Penny

Penny S said:

Schwin makes a seat adapter that you can buy for $29 and bolt your own saddle too. I disagree with
sneakers, my feet hurt if I don't wear cleats.

Guess you dont dance much, except perhaps tap dancing:-)

Regards

Bruno

--
To mail me write to iddqdATworldonline.dk (U know what 2 do)

More of these westocykler.dkwestocykler.dkOpen ↗ would mean less cars and less polution.

"G.T." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Monique Y. Herman said:

I need to do something to keep myself in some sort of non-round shape during these short winter
weekdays. Turns out my local YMCA has one-hour spinning classes at convenient after-work times.

Do you usually wear the cycling-type butt-padded spandex, or just regular shorts? What sorts of
shoes are worn? Etc etc what should I bring so that I'm relatively happy during my first
session?

That's what lights are for. Or rollers. Or a stationary trainer. A little Black Flag on the
headphones and I'm a helluva lot more motivated

on

Quoted message said:

my rollers than I am at some cheesy spinning class.

Greg

Same old dumbass "G.T" here in Alt M-B.

Spinning is without a doubt one of (if not the) best way to keep yourself in shape or train
for racing.

Don't listen to this douche bag, he couldn't handle 15 minutes of intermediate spinning.

Back on topic, take a water bottle and whatever you makes you feel comfortable when riding. Also, a
towel (or two) is a real good idea.

Careful, "cheesy spinning class"es can become addicting.

--

CP

"G.T." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Monique Y. Herman said:

I need to do something to keep myself in some sort of non-round shape during these short winter
weekdays. Turns out my local YMCA has one-hour spinning classes at convenient after-work times.

Do you usually wear the cycling-type butt-padded spandex, or just regular shorts? What sorts of
shoes are worn? Etc etc what should I bring so that I'm relatively happy during my first
session?

That's what lights are for. Or rollers. Or a stationary trainer. A little Black Flag on the
headphones and I'm a helluva lot more motivated

on

Quoted message said:

my rollers than I am at some cheesy spinning class.

The roaches are probably eating dead skin cells that are flaking off your ears and lodging in the
foam of your headphones. Consider running a Q-tip around your ear after a each shower.

Dave

On 2004-01-18, G.T. penned:

Quoted message said:

That's what lights are for. Or rollers. Or a stationary trainer. A little Black Flag on the
headphones and I'm a helluva lot more motivated on my rollers than I am at some cheesy
spinning class.

What are rollers?

I'm glad that works for you, but I'm going to try the spinning class and see if it works for me.

--
monique

CP1 said:

"G.T." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Monique Y. Herman said:

I need to do something to keep myself in some sort of non-round shape during these short winter
weekdays. Turns out my local YMCA has one-hour spinning classes at convenient after-work times.

Do you usually wear the cycling-type butt-padded spandex, or just regular shorts? What sorts of
shoes are worn? Etc etc what should I bring so that I'm relatively happy during my first session?

That's what lights are for. Or rollers. Or a stationary trainer. A little Black Flag on the
headphones and I'm a helluva lot more motivated

on

Quoted message said:

my rollers than I am at some cheesy spinning class.

Greg

Same old dumbass "G.T" here in Alt M-B.

Spinning is without a doubt one of (if not the) best way to keep yourself in shape or train
for racing.

Don't listen to this douche bag, he couldn't handle 15 minutes of intermediate spinning.

You're funny. How are those puny little hills back east? Ridden anything over 10ft high lately? You
couldn't handle my regimen if you had a drill sergeant threatening to rip you a new [censored]. Like I
said, spinning is for losers who can't motivate themselves, typical herd mentality of the common
soccer mom who can't think for herself.

Same old dumbass CP1.

Greg

--
"Destroy your safe and happy lives before it is too late, the battles we fought were long and hard,
just not to be consumed by rock n' roll..." - The Mekons

onefred said:

"G.T." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Monique Y. Herman said:

I need to do something to keep myself in some sort of non-round shape during these short winter
weekdays. Turns out my local YMCA has one-hour spinning classes at convenient after-work times.

Do you usually wear the cycling-type butt-padded spandex, or just regular shorts? What sorts of
shoes are worn? Etc etc what should I bring so that I'm relatively happy during my first session?

That's what lights are for. Or rollers. Or a stationary trainer. A little Black Flag on the
headphones and I'm a helluva lot more motivated

on

Quoted message said:

my rollers than I am at some cheesy spinning class.

The roaches are probably eating dead skin cells that are flaking off your ears and lodging in the
foam of your headphones. Consider running a Q-tip around your ear after a each shower.

That had a good riff to it but what does it mean?

Greg
--
"Destroy your safe and happy lives before it is too late, the battles we fought were long and hard,
just not to be consumed by rock n' roll..." - The Mekons

Monique Y. Herman said:

On 2004-01-18, G.T. penned:

Quoted message said:

That's what lights are for. Or rollers. Or a stationary trainer. A little Black Flag on the
headphones and I'm a helluva lot more motivated on my rollers than I am at some cheesy
spinning class.

What are rollers?

I'm glad that works for you, but I'm going to try the spinning class and see if it works for me.

These are the Cadillacs of rollers:

kreitler.comrollers.htmOpen ↗

To each her own.

Greg

--
"Destroy your safe and happy lives before it is too late, the battles we fought were long and hard,
just not to be consumed by rock n' roll..." - The Mekons

On 2004-01-18, Penny S penned:

Quoted message said:

Monique Y. Herman scribbled on a scrap of paper:

Quoted message said:

I need to do something to keep myself in some sort of non-round shape during these short winter
weekdays. Turns out my local YMCA has one-hour spinning classes at convenient after-work times.

Do you usually wear the cycling-type butt-padded spandex, or just regular shorts? What sorts of
shoes are worn? Etc etc what should I bring so that I'm relatively happy during my first session?

yes, wear shorts and cleats.

Bring a good attitude: remember it's not real riding and you'll be fine. Most of the people in my
classes don't even own a real bike. For bonus, watch a few Pete F. videos before you go, it will
give you some good visualizations. Also, get a HRM... I found using one helped immensely for
finding different levels... I was working way too hard.

HRM?

Oh, heart rate monitor. Lemme see if I like this stuff before I go spending money on it. I've spent
a lot of money lately =/

--
monique

Thanks everyone for your input! Sounds like I need to take a look and see what their class setup is
-- the kinds of pedals, seats, etc. When my cold finally clears up (been in hibernation at home
since Thursday night, sipping tea and playing SSX 3), I'm going to head over there a bit early with
an assortment of gear and see what's most appropriate.

--
monique