This is my first post. I've been working out hard since the beginning of the year. I can finally make it through a full spinning class, and while it kicks my butt, I feel great afterwards. My problem is my gym just changed its class schedule and cancelled one of the spinning classes that worked for me. Does anyone have advice on how I might do this by myself? I'm not sure I can push myself the way an instructor does, but need to find something to help fill this time.
Sorry to hear they cancelled your class. Maybe you and some of the others who took that class could ask the management to add it back to the schedule. In the meantime, does your gym have a VCR in the spinning room so you could bring your own video to follow?
Me and my fellow classmates all wrote in lengthy responses to the cancellation, but we've not heard anything back yet. No luck on the VCR near the spinning bikes either. Thanks for the suggestions though
Spinning is an indoor group cycling class, but it is way more than just sitting and pedaling. You simulate jumps and climbs by standing, hovering, and sitting, sometimes in rapid progression. You also have sprints added in. The bikes have an adjustable tension which you change a lot throughout the workout. It truly is the hardest workout I've ever done, but WOW the rush when its all done is GREAT.
I'll check out ebay for the cd/dvd's you found krcole. Thanks for all your help. I'm off this morning to a seperate spinning class that hasn't been cancelled so I'm actually looking forward to this workout!!!
I like spinning to! It didn't work out with my schedule with homeschooling so I bought a spinner. I have the Star Trac NXT model. I love to just kick up my favorite Christian Artist on the mp3 player at home and start to spin. You can get a pretty good work out at home. I challange my self by how many miles I spin and then by time also. 3 short 30 min. workouts or 1 hour workouts or if I really am going for broke, I spin for 1 hour and 48 minutes. I financed my spinner so I could get the one I like. Let me know if you need info on where to get a spinner for your home! I hope you can keep up with the classes. They are a lot of fun!
I have my own spinner too and love it. I use some really upbeat music on my mp3 player to keep me going and try to match the beat. I also have a spinervals dvd that I like and want to buy some more. You can check them out at spinervals.com. There are even dvd's that show scenery going by that were recorded by someone on a bike outdoors. I saw those on collagevideo.com. I have not tried them yet, but might. Good luck!
Try asking one of the instructors for their routine. It will tell you when to stand and sprint and when to chill on a flat. Then all you need to supply is the tunes. If they don't want to supply a sample ride, you could prolly write one up yourself. Next class you take try to keep track of how many hills you do and how long the recovery time is.
I love spinning, it's great for when the weather isn't so nice for riding outdoors. If you need a little more motivation to push yourself, get a heart rate monitor and try and keep yourself above 75% of max.
I second the spinervals recommendation. These are serious workouts--not for the fainthearted. I believe they range from 45 min to almost 5 hrs, so choose carefully. My favorite is about an hour and a half. Of course, I'd rather ride on the road any day, but sometimes one must do what one must do.
Spinning by myself
and while it kicks my butt, I feel great afterwards. My problem is my gym just changed its class schedule and cancelled one of the spinning classes that worked for me. 
Does anyone have advice on how I might do this by myself? I'm not sure I can push myself the way an instructor does, but need to find something to help fill this time.
I first heard of this by watching King of Queens where Cary is always going to spinning class. Just curious!
