{"id":354,"date":"2022-04-25T14:31:17","date_gmt":"2022-04-25T14:31:17","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2023-10-10T00:02:26","modified_gmt":"2023-10-09T16:02:26","slug":"8-incredible-benefits-of-spin-classes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/8-incredible-benefits-of-spin-classes\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Incredible Benefits Of Spin Classes"},"content":{"rendered":"

I recently joined a spin studio because I kept hearing about the many health benefits of spin classes, and I wanted to experiment with more invigorating and enjoyable forms of cardio. I regularly have personal training sessions at a gym, which mostly involve strength training such as calisthenics and weightlifting. I was doing enough squats, lat pull-downs and deadlifts each week. What was clearly missing from my health and fitness routine was cardio<\/em>. The problem, I realized, was that I hadn\u2019t yet found a form of cardiovascular exercise that I genuinely enjoyed enough to want<\/em> to do it regularly, all year round. It wasn\u2019t until I tried spin classes at Spin Society<\/a> that I found out I could not only enjoy cardio \u2013 but actually crave <\/em>it.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The only other form of cardio I\u2019ve tried that I genuinely enjoy as much as spin, is hiking. However, my favorite hikes aren\u2019t safe to do alone, and it requires planning, packing, arranging carpools, and can\u2019t be done as spontaneously as a spin class. My favorite hikes also closed for the winter months, whereas indoor cycling is a rain-or-shine, winter or summer activity.<\/p>\n

When I tried spin, I was immediately hooked. The obvious benefits of spin classes such as an incredible cardiovascular workout, high calorie burn, and the uplifting in-class vibe were to be expected. Some of the benefits of spin classes I wasn\u2019t expecting included how much my mood would steadily improve once I added spin classes to my routine.<\/strong> I started going to a 50 minute spin class about 3 \u2013 4 times per week. I noticed physical changes such as weight loss and a more toned physique, but I was most impressed by the significant mental health benefits of spin classes.<\/p>\n

Before we get into the benefits of spin classes and indoor cycling, you might be wondering what spin class is:<\/p>\n

What Exactly is a Spin Class?<\/h2>\n

Spin classes involve a special type of stationary exercise bike with a weighted flywheel in a classroom setting, where everyone gets their own bike, and the instructor\u2019s bike is at the front of the class. The instructor will have prepared a music playlist for each class, often selecting tracks that are the ideal beat for pedaling, and they also tend to prepare special lighting with glowing candles.<\/p>\n

Typically in a dimly-lit ambience to remove the element of comparison and allow you to turn your focus inward, you end up focusing on the music, your own rhythm, and your inner strength.<\/strong> This ability to find my inner strength was almost surprising, as someone who is not a high-performing athlete by any means.<\/p>\n

One spin class, which is about 50 minutes long, can burn anywhere from 600-1000 calories depending on how hard you push yourself during class.<\/p>\n

Indoor cycling classes (spin classes) are not just for hard core athletes. No matter what your current fitness level is, you can join a spin class at your local spin studio and get a fantastic workout. Many first-time riders end up purchasing an unlimited monthly membership, quickly realizing they\u2019re in love with spinning.<\/p>\n

I quickly realized that spin class is an environment that encourages you to push yourself, while you\u2019re still able to go at your own pace.<\/strong> It was different from other brightly-lit workout classes I\u2019ve attended in the past, where I felt self-conscious and obligated to interact with others socially, even if I wasn\u2019t in a social mood.<\/p>\n

At Spin Society, the class is in session within a dark room. The only lights are typically some cool, blue and green candles. I could focus on myself and my workout, although the change rooms after class were great for a short but fun dose of social interaction.<\/p>\n

When you attend your first spin class, you\u2019ll want to arrive about 15 minutes early so that an instructor can help you set up your spin bike. You\u2019ll be able to adjust the height of the bike\u2019s seat and the position of the handlebars to best suit you, and the resistance can be adjusted throughout class. Spin studios provide special cycling shoes that clip into the stationary bike, which you return after class. When I attend my spin class, the only thing I bring with me are two water bottles (one containing regular water, and one infused with electrolytes.) Everything else is provided by the spin studio, including a clean sweat towel.<\/p>\n

Image credit: Spin Society Vancouver<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Benefits of Spin Class (Indoor Cycling)<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s dive into some of the top benefits of spin class. We interviewed an expert named Lucy Ulmer<\/a>, the Director of Instructors and co-owner of Spin Society<\/a>. Spin Society offers online guided rides for those of you who have a stationary bike at home, as well as in-person group spin classes<\/strong> at their beautiful studio. Below are some of the advantages of becoming a member of a spin studio and attending spin classes regularly:<\/p>\n

1. Overall Health: Spinning Improves Cardiovascular Endurance, and Strengthens the Heart and Lungs<\/h2>\n

One of the top benefits of spin classes is that spin is a great way to exercise the heart muscle, improve cardiovascular endurance<\/a>, and keep your heart and lungs strong and healthy.<\/p>\n

The thing about cardio is that you need to do it regularly in order to reap the health benefits and improve your cardiovascular endurance. Spin classes are so uplifting and fun that you\u2019ll end up wanting to attend class regularly, thus increasing your weekly cardio.<\/p>\n

Lucy Ulmer<\/a> explains, \u201cThe benefits of indoor cycling positively affect physical, emotional and mental wellness. \u00a0The science of cycling is generating power through speed times resistance. \u00a0At Spin Society we place a big focus on learning how to use the resistance of the bike to keep the mind focused and the body engaged in doable but challenging work. The body will respond to what the mind feeds it. In our studios that\u2019s what we aim to do: connect the mind with physical performance.\u201d<\/p>\n

When you improve your cardiovascular endurance through something like regularly attending spin class, you\u2019ll find that other activities become easier because your endurance has improved. For example, you might have an easier time keeping up with friends on a challenging hike, or you\u2019ll be able to kayak or cycle faster and for longer this summer.<\/p>\n

2. Motivation: Spin Instructors Motivate You, Uplift You, and Help You Push Yourself<\/h2>\n

If you find that you don\u2019t push yourself that hard when you work out alone or attempt a gym session, you\u2019re not alone. I was the same way, but found a surprising inner strength during spin class, with my instructor\u2019s encouraging guidance.<\/p>\n

As Ulmer puts it, \u201cJust as it takes a village to raise a child, at Spin Society we believe it takes a village to raise an adult. \u00a0We live for the opportunity to elevate each other through physical movement and mental connectedness. The instructors remind riders daily that the energy you bring to your bike is contagious and you get to share that feeling with those you see outside the studio. So, why not choose to amp up your life on the bike? Time to say yes to the rest of your life with a room full of supportive people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since everyone in the class has committed to stay on their bikes for the 50 minute duration, accountability comes into play as well. You\u2019re held accountable to push yourself for 50 minutes, because everyone else around you is in it with you.<\/p>\n

3. Ride to the Beat: The Music Played During Spin Class is Carefully Curated to Get You in the Zone<\/h2>\n

You need to be \u2018in the zone\u2019 to truly push yourself for a 50 minute cardio workout. The music in a spin class is a strategically selected playlist made by the instructor, and it\u2019s extraordinarily helpful for getting you in the zone to push those pedals.<\/p>\n

Ulmer explains, \u201cMusic is our muse at Spin Society and is carefully curated to keep the attention of our riders no matter what age or musical background you gravitate towards. Music is also selected to help you find the beat and use it to challenge yourself. \u00a0We believe that our playlists drive the energy of the room and foster an environment where having fun and working hard can co-exist.\u201d<\/p>\n