Indoor Cycling Classes - Low Impact Fat Burning Workout
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.
My first order of business was finding a safe, effective cardio workout. The goal was a good workout I could do 2 or 3 times per week, but minus the joint jarring workouts I'd done 20 years ago, like jogging and the stairmaster for 45 minutes at a time. Oh and, by the way, could we make this workout somewhat enjoyable?
Not long after I joined, I began to observe the various aerobic class options. A group environment might help me stay motivated, I thought to myself. One of the more intriguing options seemed to be an indoor cycling class. As my fellow members left the indoor cycling class, they seemed somewhat exhausted but happy. That seemed like a perfect combination to me!
I decided to participate in the next available class the following day. The instructor referred to the class as spin class and announced it was one hour long. Not daunted, I made it through the entire 60 minutes and enjoyed a challenging low impact workout that really got my heart pumping. Several months and several dozen spin classes later, I've found these classes to be an intergral part of my fitness regimen.
Despite me just discovering spin 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 class, depending on our own exertion level.
Most spin classes are one hour in duration, offering plenty of time to warm up and reach what my instructer calls the "fat burning zone". Heart rate monitors are available, which allow participants to see how hard they're working. A good instructor will explain the nuances of a typical class, as well as helping newer participants become acclimated.
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 my first few spin classes, I found it particularly helpful to be able to work at my own pace and not feel out of place compared to more experienced participants. In fact, spin instructors are specifically trained to emphasize this point. The instructor wants to motivate participants to challenge themselves and improve, but not to the point of overexertion.
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.
