Spinning question

BikeSwimLaugh

BikeSwimLaugh

0
With winter here, I've lately discovered the spinning classes at the gym. I have to admit, it's rather fun being one of a few guys in a room with 30+ woman...:D

Question.

As you can well imagine they try to mix it up and pretend you're on a real bike ride; crank it up another notch, yet another, off the saddle, in the seat, peddling in wet-concrete, break-away's, etc. Okay, I get it.....slow/tough peddling mixed with fast/light peddling and a bunch of whatever they can factor-in to dice it up.

Well, I'm just curious...from a physiological stand point, what exactly is the difference between the various speeds & tensions? I'm rather under the impression that energy exerted is energy exerted...whether that be done with a light-load and fast rpm, or high-load and grinding-slow rpm. I'm sure the muscles work differently, but what exactly is the value & difference?

I'll start by suggesting a higher rpm offers less tension on the muscle fibers and faster circulation of blood through the muscle....but it probably doesn't push the fibers and encourage any building...but perhaps more stamina/endurance....????

So are they mixing it up for fun or is there some extra value, and if so...what is it??

Oh...also, one other interesting question: the air-circulation really sucks in these rooms. They keep the doors closed so the music/sound doesn't get out, but I don't think the air-handling system is on and it gets quite stuffy. I can't help but wonder....if the whole cardio thing is based on aerobics, and aerobics is premised on using oxygen....then would an oxygen-deprived and carbon-dioxide rich atmosphere rather inhibit or reduce getting the most out of these workouts???? (just looking for more ammo to throw at the Mgt to ge them to do something about the lack of fresh air)....
 
Bike,

The spinning class is one type of HIIT - intervals where your heart is really pumping for 30 - 60 seconds and then back off, by rpms and/or tension, to let the heart rate slow down but not completely relax - then speed back up again. All HIIT activities benefit the heart phenomenally but also encourage fat loss.

I think spinning, because of the high rpms, would not necessarily encourage a lot of muscle fiber development (most pro cyclists have skinny a$$ legs). As for endurance, it would encourage to some extent because of the length of the session, 45 - 50 minutes typically, but not as much as a longer, steady ride.

Interesting question about the ventilation. I doubt the carbon dioxide concentration is approaching any sort of unsafe levels, generally less than 20% where 21% is normal, so it really wouldn't affect your physical performance, but for comfort that would be something you should definitely bring up with management.
 
I go to spion classes and I have yet to leave one feeling like I did not get my butt kicked at some level.

Todnight will be an Ironman spin calss, and there will be some radical athletes in there.

The one thing I do notice about the typical spin class that bothers me. The jerk off guys that DO NOT GO into the front row! there is almost always a bike in the front.

don't be a creep!
 
Hey guys...

I knew I could count of the both of you to answer/hit this thread, thanks! We're like the only hardcore bikers on the forum.

Guys, I hit the 8am spinning class this morning....did the whole thing and then stayed-on to take the next spinning class that ran until 10:15; 2 classes back-to-back!!!! :D

I had a towel on the handlebars and under the bike towards the front...but I didn't get a towel under the bike towards the back. I hydrated well and my body sweat as usual...but by the end of the 2nd class, OMG, I had a serious puddle under my bike!!!!! At the end of class I turned to the hottie next to me and gestured downwards...then said "OMG, I think I need to go to the hospital...my water broke!" :D She laughed and expressed an impressed look. I then said "Wow, it's as equally disgusting as it is impressive" :D :D

I gotta tell ya, I love being one of maybe 4 guys in a room full of 40 woman exercising....it's so cool.

I think your right, while it may be warm & stuffy, there's enough oxygen to facilitate fat-oxidation....just wonder why the overall consensus of the gals is NOT to run the fan?

Anyways, after taking 2 spinning classes back-to-back, I jumped in the indoor Olympic pool and did 32 laps (across and back is one lap)...so I got in a mile in the pool. All in all, about 3.4 hours of exercise set against 1 large protein shake and 4 bottles of water with recovery-agent lightly blended in. Calories out, about 2,400.....calories in (thus far today)...about 1,200; looks like another lean day! And I have racquetball tonight! :D
 
jw,

That's bsl's personally weight training program: bicycle military presses

bsl: that was an impressive workout: 2 spinning classes and 1600meters!!! An olympic pool is 50 meters. Most indoor pools are 25 yards. But, sparrow is the expert on those minutiae.
 
JW8725 said:
hey fella, what bikes do u have in your avatar pic? Also what spinner do you spin on at the gym? Thanks :)
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My new mountain bike and my (now) older mountain bike. The old bike is a 2003 Speicialized Enduro Pro. The new bike is a Giant Trance XO....thoroughly love it!!!! :D Both bikes are suspended entirely off the ground, but the concrete ledge behind me sorta makes it appear as though they're balanced on it. No biggy: who couldn't curl 30 pounds, eh? :D

As for the gym, I can't recall which bikes they use....I'm too busy trying to figure out which gals are wearing thongs or going commando in their lycra shorts. It's a perv thang, sure you underwear...I mean, understand. :D

g8r80 said:
2 spinning classes and 1600meters!!! An olympic pool is 50 meters. Most indoor pools are 25 yards.
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It's an indoor Olmpic pool. The people at the gym have repeatedly told me it's a 25-meter pool. Across & back would then be 50-meters, and that's what I've programmed into my lap-counter. I dunno, I just know that others get in, do their work and get out...while I just keep going.

I'm not going to repeat that....it's just too much for me: I got out of the pool staggering and my racquetball game later that night was utterly pathetic! There's such a thing as too much exercise and I've long ago crossed that line!

g8r80 said:
But, sparrow is the expert on those minutiae.
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Captain Jack or that skinny gal we have on this forum? Inquiring pirates wanna know! :)
 
g8r80 said:
Bike,


I think spinning, because of the high rpms, would not necessarily encourage a lot of muscle fiber development (most pro cyclists have skinny a$$ legs). As for endurance, it would encourage to some extent because of the length of the session, 45 - 50 minutes typically, but not as much as a longer, steady ride.
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I would think this would depend on the kind of ride you have. Personally speaking, I'm more like FF where not a class goes by (I do 3 a week) that I don't feel completely thrashed by the end of it-but I don't think this is probably standard. I see a lot of people in there just totally loafing it and just letting their cadence get lazy or backing off when things get hard. I can be dripping and anaerobic and they're hardly huffin. When I spin I make sure I'm achieving some higher level every single time I go in there. I keep my cadence between 90-100 and make sure it stays there even on the "hills". I love that feeling when you end a sequence and your legs are just totally burned up. People get out of the ride what they put into it. My legs have completely changed since I've started spinning. The shape, the strength. I attribute most of my power and strength in my legs to that class alone, but I've had to work darn hard to get that.
Interesting on the gender ratio in your classes! We have a LOT of guys in our spin class!
 
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sparrow said:
I would think this would depend on the kind of ride you have. Personally speaking, I'm more like FF where not a class goes by (I do 3 a week) that I don't feel completely thrashed by the end of it-but I don't think this is probably standard. I see a lot of people in there just totally loafing it and just letting their cadence get lazy or backing off when things get hard. I can be dripping and anaerobic and they're hardly huffin. When I spin I make sure I'm achieving some higher level every single time I go in there. I keep my cadence between 90-100 and make sure it stays there even on the "hills". I love that feeling when you end a sequence and your legs are just totally burned up. People get out of the ride what they put into it. My legs have completely changed since I've started spinning. The shape, the strength. I attribute most of my power and strength in my legs to that class alone, but I've had to work darn hard to get that.
Interesting on the gender ratio in your classes! We have a LOT of guys in our spin class!
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Hi Sparrow, interesting that you keep your cadence so high even when going heavy? I feel going slower and with more resistance does hit the muscles from a different angle though.

just out of interest what bike(s) do you Spin on? Currently the wife and I are on LeMonds, I've actually bought 2 back in England though.
 
sparrow said:
OMG, I'm so offended :rolleyes:
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Pardon my oversight.....in the months of my being active here I've seen/heard/read very little about biking other then what FF & Gr8 have offered-up. I now acknowledge Sparrow into my mental ranks of known biking enthusiast. :D

I agree about your observation in the class...some people are content to just peddle away in a casual manner and you can totally tell they aren't exerting themselves in any great capacity...their form, casual pace and overall appearnace makes it obvious.

Myself...I generally push hard. I put 2 towels under my bike and keep one on my handlebars. I also drink-up both my water bottles. There's usually a look of pain/exertion on my face and I maintain a good heart-rate as measured by the monitor I wear.

As for class composition, it's mostly woman....especially in the classes taught by men; the more George-Clooney-like the instructor, the more packed the princesses come! In all fairness, I'm able to sneak into classes in the morning, so I suspect the composition is more based on who's working and who just dropped the kids off at school....so yeah, a few more gals then guys.
 
BikeSwimLaugh said:
Pardon my oversight.....in the months of my being active here I've seen/heard/read very little about biking other then what FF & Gr8 have offered-up. I now acknowledge Sparrow into my mental ranks of known biking enthusiast. :D
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right on! :D

JW...I cycle on LeMonds as well

My hill pace is generally the 90rpm range. If I go slower I feel like I get on a downward slope and just get slower...and slower...and slower...so I keep it high-you're right though, forcing a slower cadence totally works the legs differently and is probably even a better workout.
 
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