Our marathon training program head coach arranged for a private spin class for us with the local 24-HR Fitness where she and several others on our team are members. It just so happened that my slot was about 1 hour after I had done an 8-mile training run (I had been doing back-to-back Sat/Sun runs since July for an upcoming distance event). So, I went into the 45-minute class already a bit fatigued. This I do not recommend, lol!
All the same, having tried to do spinning workouts on my own, I found the group environment much more fun and challenging. Our instructor was awesome, the music well-chosen, and the lights were turned down low so that we wouldn't get headaches from light bouncing off the mirrors. We also had been arranged into a circle and that was fun - no looking at someone's rear end!
Spinning is great strength training for the legs and cardio for the heart. Because it's low impact, it's good for distance runners as part of our cross-training program, and for when the weather is non-cooperative.
The only thing is that I'm not a gym rat. Years ago, I had a spinner bike at home. When I replace my road bike, I'm planning to get a stationary trainer and hook up my heart rate monitor to it. My youngest sister is a triathlete and swears by this more convenient alternative to spin class.
Spin class does look intimidating, but there are different levels and you can work your way up to the TDF level (if you want). It's really all up to what you really want to do.
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Our marathon training program head coach arranged for a private spin class for us with the local 24-HR Fitness where she and several others on our team are members. It just so happened that my slot was about 1 hour after I had done an 8-mile training run (I had been doing back-to-back Sat/Sun runs since July for an upcoming distance event). So, I went into the 45-minute class already a bit fatigued. This I do not recommend, lol!
All the same, having tried to do spinning workouts on my own, I found the group environment much more fun and challenging. Our instructor was awesome, the music well-chosen, and the lights were turned down low so that we wouldn't get headaches from light bouncing off the mirrors. We also had been arranged into a circle and that was fun - no looking at someone's rear end!
Spinning is great strength training for the legs and cardio for the heart. Because it's low impact, it's good for distance runners as part of our cross-training program, and for when the weather is non-cooperative.
The only thing is that I'm not a gym rat. Years ago, I had a spinner bike at home. When I replace my road bike, I'm planning to get a stationary trainer and hook up my heart rate monitor to it. My youngest sister is a triathlete and swears by this more convenient alternative to spin class.
Spin class does look intimidating, but there are different levels and you can work your way up to the TDF level (if you want). It's really all up to what you really want to do.
November 5, 2008 - 6:12pmThis Comment
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