Joining or rejoining a health club after being somewhat sedentary for a few years can be a somewhat intimidating experience. After noticing 20 or so extra pounds adding up, I thought it best to join the ranks of fitness oriented people at the local health club. One particular aspect that worried me was I knew my days of high impact bone jarring workouts were in the past.
Knowing that at least 2 or 3 cardio workouts per week were necessary, I began to consider the options. It was important to maximize my workout time, while effectively burning fat and keeping my motivation level high. In order to accomplish my goal, I knew the workout routine I chose would have to be enjoyable.
A short time after joining the health club, I began to notice the various aerobic class options. Some were as I remembered, while others were more intriguing. One type of class that caught my attention was an indoor cycling class. Although I’ve never been much of a bike rider, I did notice the folks who exited the spin class had gone through a challenging workout and were actually smiling as they exited!
The next day, I participated in my very first indoor cycling class. The instructor referred to the class as spin class and announced it to be one hour in duration. Truth be told, that hour flew by. I found the class to be challenging, enjoyable, and a very efficient cardio workout. Best of all, months later spin classes are an important part of my fitness routine. I’ve stuck with them, as they are low impact and actually an enjoyable way to spend an hour.
Despite me just discovering these classes, they aren’t new at all. In our class, we had students ranging in age from teenager to a few people in their 60’s. These classes are flexible enough to be appropriate for all fitness levels. Our instructor told us we typically burn several hundred calories per session, depending on our own exertion level.
Most spin classes are one hour long. This allows for ample time to warm up, reach a target fitness zone, and cool down. In our class, we have optional heart rate monitors which tell a participant how hard they’re working and how close they are to their optimal fat burning heart rate. Our instructor is very helpful in acclimating people to the class and helping us get the most from our workout. Spin class instructors usually go through a certification process before they can teach a class on their own.
Upon entering class, you’ll adjust your spin bike to your height and comfort level. A spin bike is basically a type of stationary bicycle formatted specifically for these classes. The class is set to music, with slower songs at the beginning and end for warm up and cool down. Music during the bulk of the class is typically high tempo and energetic, designed to encourage higher effort and full benefit of the class.
During the class, you’ll be challenged but also able to work at your own pace. Instructors are trained to encourage students to challenge themselves, while at the same time being careful to remind those new to fitness to work out at a comfortable level.
All in all, spin classes have proven to be a very effective part of my workout routine. Even two classes per week have given me a significantly greater fitness level and loss of weight. Combined with other forms of exercise like moderate resistance training, indoor cycling classes can help you reach your desired level of fitness. Don’t be afraid to try a spin class at your local health club.
Jim Hofman enjoys maintaining and improving his fitness level with low impact, enjoyable cardio workouts. One of Jim’s favorite forms of exercise is indoor cycling, due to its efficient fat burning and cardio benefits. Learn more about indoor cycling and spin classes [http://www.cycling101.info] here!
