If you've ever spoken to someone who takes indoor cycling classes, chances are good their opinions will trend toward one extreme or the other. There appears to be a real love/hate relationship with spinning classes. People either love them or vow never to try them again. Then, of course, there are those who profess to hate indoor cycling but deep down, they love it!
If you're looking for a low impact cardio workout, indoor cycling is one of your best options. But just like any fitness activity, you'll want to make sure you're stacking the deck in your favor for the best odds of success. There are a few essentials to consider if you want to get the most benefit from your cycling workout.
Starting any new fitness activity can be an intimidating experience. In fact, experienced cycling enthusiasts even face and adjustment period with a new instructor. The key factor is adapting the workout to fit within your physical and mental parameters.
Here are three tips to help you get the most from your indoor cycling workouts:
1. Make sure you're wearing proper clothing, and keep that water bottle handy. Running shorts and sweats are not designed for indoor cycling. Get yourself some biking shorts, or at least wear shorts with extra padding and comfort in the inner thigh area to prevent discomfort. As for water, you'll want to be ready to consume plenty, both during and after class.
2. Don't worry about other participants and what they're doing. Remember, this workout is for you. Just because someone else is peddling with furious intensity doesn't mean you need to follow suit. Listen to your body. If you feel you can push yourself, go for it! Otherwise, adjust the speed and tension so you have a challenging, but not overbearing workout.
3. Make sure your seat is adjusted properly. This is the most common mistake in spinning classes. Your seat should be at a height where your knee angle is about 85% straight during the downstroke. If your seat is too high or too low, you'll risk injury and you won't get the most from your workout either. If you need help determining the proper height of your seat, ask your instructor for guidance.
Lastly, modify your workout whenever necessary. Experienced spin instructors know how to tailor the workout to all levels of fitness, including giving you alternatives for the most strenous aspects of the workout. If your fitness level isn't quite up to par, that's ok. Just modify the workout and give your best effort.
If you're at all uncomfortable with fitting in, don't worry. Just work by yourself on a stationary bike for a few weeks. You can increase or decrease intensity levels to keep things interesting. When you're ready, the spinning class will be there for you, and within a few sessions you'll be spinning with the best of them!
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Jim Hofman is an author who lost 25 pounds in six months just from adding indoor cycling classes to his workout routine. For more tips, strategies, and recommendations, be sure to visit Jim's recommended resource site devoted to biking and indoor cycling .
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