... enjoy the rideI’m sure many of you know quite well what spin is (and many who do are probably already hooked,) but if not … here is the scoop. Spin is a high intensity class, sure to burn tons of calories, all performed on one piece of equipment - a stationary spin bike. Not only is spin a great cardio workout, but it also helps tone your quads, hamstrings, glutes, calves, and abs. The great thing about spin is that anyone can do it, beginner or pro, right next to each other in the same class. So don’t be intimidated you beginners. You control the intensity of your workout all by the cadence of your pedal and the touch of the dial (the dial controls your resistance).

On average you can burn 400-500 calories in a 50 minute class and pedal close to 10 miles. The reason I love spin is the variation of positioning and the music. There seems to be a misconception that spin is boring.  I can’t say I don’t understand the mentality, because I thought this at first too. The idea of staying on a stationary bike for 50 minutes didn’t really excite me, but once I took my first class I was hooked. There are many different routines ranging from pedaling fast and furious, to slow and steady. There are three positions: first- seated, second-standing, and third-is a racing position with your butt lifted a few inches above the seat. If you have a good instructor they will tailor each song to the action you are performing on the bike at that time. Once you really get into the bike and the music … it can actually be fun!

With that said, here are 5 tips to make your spin experience a success:

1. Bring a bottle of water. You'll be sweating a lot, so you'll need it to rehydrate.

2. Look for a class that has a great playlist. The music is half the workout.

3. Since there is no spin Nazi watching you turn the dial, it may help to buy a heart rate monitor to gauge how hard you are or are not working.

4. This may sound silly, but some people have a difficult time getting used to the hard narrow spin bike seat. After 50 minutes their butt hurts. To help with this I suggest buying a cushion that can be placed over the seat. Some people even go for spin pants – I never tried those though. This way you can focus on your workout and not your screaming fanny.

5. Enjoy the ride. Have an open mind. Spin is not only a workout for the body, but the mind. Visualize you are riding on the road with the wind in your hair and the sun at your back.

Stay Strong,

Kristi