I live in Chicago, so I know a thing or two about cold winters. I do spin classes once a week when it is too cold to ride outside, in addition to my bike trainer workouts. I think spin classes are great -- it's just nice to be in a group environment, with an energetic class leader, great music and a different type of workout (e.g., a mix of hills, sprints, resistance levels, etc.) every time. I don't have any scientific evidence about spin class workouts vs. just sticking with the trainer, but I figure if they keep me on some type of bike more often when I can't ride outside, they are working. Once it's warm enought to ride outside, I ditch the spin classes. Just my two cents...

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http://achukumba.blogspot.com/

Largely depends on the instructor and the bike. However, overall, if you can stand it, you are much better off doing Spinervals dvds (or other workouts) on your actual bike, on a trainer, than doing spin classes. Spin classes are a nice "addition" or occasional replacement every now and then to avoid burnout. Absolutely not a total replacement for the trainer.

At my former club we had 3 different instructors: (1) "spin guy;" (2) "fitness girl;" and (3) "tri girl."

Spin guy gave you a good overall workout, but, did too many "jumps" and low resistance sprints. Fitness girl followed the spin class material to a tee, tailored the workout to the lowest common denominator (which was pretty low) and did movements you would NEVER do on a bike (no, not kinky stuff, that would have actually kept me in class). Tri girl was a triathlete who did a lot of intervals and high-resistance drills that actually mimicked movements on the bike.

Spin guy and fitness girl were worthless for pure bike training (but ok for general fitness). Tri girl was good and worthwhile.

At my current club, spin classes are WAY TOO easy and have too many ridiculous movements (jumps, etc.) to mimic actual riding. I avoid at all costs.

Next, look at the bike. The LeMond RevMaster is, IMO, the most "realistic" and smooth trainer out there. They even have "aerobar attachments" now (I have one at home, but, rarely use it). You can get a good workout on this bike.

The "Jonny G Spin Bike" and the Schwin version are, IMO, worthless. I hate them. Not adjustable enough, does not fit well, rattles, and is not smooth. IMO, very little value.

The more time you can spend on your actual bike, the better, even if it is on a trainer. You are better off doing that. I compare spin class to elliptical trainers. They will give you a great workout, will help maintain fitness, and help prevent injury, but, it is no substitute for actual running.

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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. - Will Rogers

Emery's Third Coast Triathlon | Tri Wisconsin Triathlon Team | Push Endurance | GLWR

Just anadotal (sp?):

My brother leads 2 to 3 spin classes per week and participates in another 1 to 2 per week. When he instructs, he can really only get a partial workout as he is mainly focused on providing a quality workout (routine/music/motivation) to the others. He'll get more of a workout when he a participant. When he gets on his roadbike, he'll do fine on flat rides <40 miles, but don't put in any hills. He'll definitely say that Spin Classes don't translate well to climbing, even when there is "climbing" incorporated in the workouts.

But still, they're great workouts and if you can't get outside a good class with good music/participants/leader helps with the monotony of being indoors.

Chris

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Chris
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“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”
― Hunter S. Thompson,

Not sure if spinning is an approved slowtwitch activity but I like it. I agree that it depends on the instructor to a point but usually do what I want regardless of the leader. I find I get what I think is a better workout by always using a good amont of resistence and doing almost all of the "climbs" seated. I know I am never out of the seat on my bike for 4 mins. I real problem with substituting spinning for bike workouts is that they are short, usally only 50 min. All said I think the trainer is a better workout but spin class has its place as I find it easier to get motivated for 6am spinning than a 6am trainer ride.

Don't you control the resistance yourself? I don't see why the instructor matters that much except for structure.

Yes, I control resistance. For me, personally, the instructor did matter. I don't think "spin guy" has ever actually been on a bike and "fitness girl" did too may goofy movements. I guarantee my resistance was always much higher than the rest of the class. However, you don't do "jumps" in real life, especially 4 and, even worse, 2 count jumps. Yes, you can always do your own thing, but, I, personally, felt like I was being disrespectful to the instructor if I did not do his/her routine.

Tri girl would do climbing, intervals, etc. She never did a single movement you would not do on an actual bike. I am probably not explaining this as well as I should.

At the new club, the spin class starts like this: "ok class, imagine you are on a winding road. Look at the tree. Nice easy ride. Relax. Gooood. Now, small hill. Over the hill! Goooood. Everyone ok? Gooood." Kill me now ...

Again, as I previously stated, the bike is the most important feature. Nothing substitutes for your actual bike, but, some are better than others.

I think spin class has its place, but, not in lieu of the trainer.

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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. - Will Rogers

Emery's Third Coast Triathlon | Tri Wisconsin Triathlon Team | Push Endurance | GLWR

my coach has never done a spin class but he made the observation that they are best for cardio-vascular conditioning, and most people who already work out quite a lot are already in a good position w.r.t. C-V. what they lack, in his estimation, is all too often sport-specific strength, and spin classes tend not to help with this because the position is so different.

i love(d) spin classes as an intense C-V workout and a chance to stare at the instructor while listening to music i would never otherwise listen to. but having a computrainer at home now makes it clear just how much more i can get training-wise from sitting in one place and pedalling. i doubt if i will do more than a dozen spin classes this winter, and those will just be as a break from the CT.

Ok... SO from reading here I have concluded that the spin class can give some cahnge of pace CV excersize but you can't beat time inthe saddle, more importantly your OWN saddle. So what about some the DVD's etc such as spinervals or the like to help get the most for my time. I am doing IMLOU as my FIRST and I want to make every training effort count. I have a nice trainer but no cadence or power meters and not looking to be buying any (lots of other TRI "toys" in line ahead of that). Thanks for all the help!

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I must be right because everyone else is "On My Left"

Like everyone else said, its all relative to the instructor, the bikes in the class, and you. 3 years ago, before I had a trainer, I got somewhat addicted to doing spin classes and I would do up to 3 in a row( 1 hour each, but the class is only for 45 minutes). After you get to know the instructors, you will find out who likes to do what and who will let you get away with doing your own thing.
I could set my spin bike into a pretty good tri position and just wrap my towel around the handlebar and rest my forearms on it like aerobars. I would just blast through any of the "jump" sessions or anything else I didn't find helpful.
I started using a hrm and I would always be well above whatever the instructor wanted you to be in. Basically, I did their workout for 80% of the class, but I did my own thing at times. When they would stop to stretch, I would just get off the bike long enough to sign up for the next class and then start pedaling again.
Personally, I had a breakthrough in my biking strength from that fall/winter spin period, and I was stronger in the Spring than I had been at the end of the prior race season.
Finally, its a great opportunity to meet other cyclists, especially females. You are not going to get that chance in your living room on a trainer or doing solo rides.

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56-11...the only way to fly

I used Spinervals dvds the past off-season to prepare for IMMoo, my first IM distance race. I have been biking for years, but, last year was the first year I used Spinervals for off-season prep. In late-April, I started my first regular outdoor riding. My weekly mileage totals in early May were the same as my totals for late June the prior year. So, for me, they worked very well for base-building.

I used the Aero Basebuilding Series (pack of 5 workouts) most the off-season. I also got the 3 time trial workouts and some of the "tough love series" to use when I got closer to the season. These all worked incredibly well.

To take full advantage of the workouts, you need a HR monitor and a cadence meter. You can get a cheap cadence meter for under $40. Same with a HR monitor. You don't need a power meter (although I am getting one soon to take my training up a notch). This worked very well for me.

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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. - Will Rogers

Emery's Third Coast Triathlon | Tri Wisconsin Triathlon Team | Push Endurance | GLWR

At the end of the day I think it comes down to what you will you enjoy. Winter training for the everyday triathlete is about having fun and challenging yourself. I teach 3 spin classes a week and I find it really helps my winter riding but then again I hate watching video tapes while riding. I do however do 3 other rides on my Computrainer.

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Richard Pady
http://www.healthyresults.ca - http://www.race4kids.ca
Indoor Rider (weekly indoor riding videos)

Does anybody ever bring their bike and trainer to spin class? Or is that too much? Or maybe the gym doesn't allow it?

I use spinervals a fair amount. Coach Troy is a hard man. The aero base builders are good as are Have Mercy 2 and the 3 hour one, (Tough Love?). Not as good as outside, but it will give you a good work out. Check out the spinervals web site for some free workouts to get a flavor of what is on the DVD's. Also, the music is a bit too close to porno music, so consider an Ipod. Happy training. J

Nothing wrong with spin class. I participate weekly from Oct. to March and teach a little as a substitute ... Just set up the bike fairly close to your real bike position (I bring a tape measure, then remember the numbers) if you want to get more out of it. I wouldn't use spin class as your "key bike workout" if you have a bike race or a tri. coming up in a couple months, but it's fun and can only help, if you are set up OK ... I have grown to like jumps: Who cares if they don't mimick cycling. Plyos are good for you :-)