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Late last summer, I finally took the plunge and joined the local health club, in hopes of shedding the 20 or so pounds that had crept up on me over the years. Although I'd been a health club member in years past, I knew my approach would have to be different, seeing as I'm not in my 20's any more.
A very important consideration for my workout routine was, very frankly, not to hate it! After years of bone jarring jogging and climbing Stairmasters, I knew I could go back to those routines, but I wouldn't stay with them long term. Yet, it was important to burn fat, develop and maintain cardiovascular fitness, and hopefully enjoy myself at the same time.
A short time after joining the health club, I began to notice the various aerobic class options. Some were as I remembered, while others were more intriguing. One type of class that caught my attention was an indoor cycling class. Although I've never been much of a bike rider, I did notice the folks who exited the spin class had gone through a challenging workout and were actually smiling as they exited!
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.
Indoor cycling or spin classes have been around for a while, despite my recent discovery. They are intended for people of all fitness levels and ages, and eliminate any problems associated with excessive impact. A typical one hour spin class workout will burn a few hundred calories as well.
The structure of a spin class is much like any other aerobic class. There is ample time to warm up, reach peak workout levels, and cool down. The main goal is to reach a level of exertion called the fat burning zone, which is dependent on age and heart rate levels. During our class, the levels are closely monitored, which is helpful to know how hard we are (or aren't) working.
You'll be cycling on a specially formatted stationary bike, known as a spin bike. Before class you'll be able to adjust the bike according to your height and comfort level. And just like other aerobic classes, you'll be working out along with music, which the instructor usually records and matches up with the workout.
During the class, you'll be challenged but also able to work at your own pace. Instructors are trained to encourage students to challenge themselves, while at the same time being careful to remind those new to fitness to work out at a comfortable level.
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.
A very important consideration for my workout routine was, very frankly, not to hate it! After years of bone jarring jogging and climbing Stairmasters, I knew I could go back to those routines, but I wouldn't stay with them long term. Yet, it was important to burn fat, develop and maintain cardiovascular fitness, and hopefully enjoy myself at the same time.
A short time after joining the health club, I began to notice the various aerobic class options. Some were as I remembered, while others were more intriguing. One type of class that caught my attention was an indoor cycling class. Although I've never been much of a bike rider, I did notice the folks who exited the spin class had gone through a challenging workout and were actually smiling as they exited!
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.
Indoor cycling or spin classes have been around for a while, despite my recent discovery. They are intended for people of all fitness levels and ages, and eliminate any problems associated with excessive impact. A typical one hour spin class workout will burn a few hundred calories as well.
The structure of a spin class is much like any other aerobic class. There is ample time to warm up, reach peak workout levels, and cool down. The main goal is to reach a level of exertion called the fat burning zone, which is dependent on age and heart rate levels. During our class, the levels are closely monitored, which is helpful to know how hard we are (or aren't) working.
You'll be cycling on a specially formatted stationary bike, known as a spin bike. Before class you'll be able to adjust the bike according to your height and comfort level. And just like other aerobic classes, you'll be working out along with music, which the instructor usually records and matches up with the workout.
During the class, you'll be challenged but also able to work at your own pace. Instructors are trained to encourage students to challenge themselves, while at the same time being careful to remind those new to fitness to work out at a comfortable level.
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.
About the Author:
Jim Hofman enjoys maintaining and enhancing his fitness level with low impact, effective cardio workouts. One of Jim's favorite forms of exercise is indoor cycling, due to its efficient fat burning and cardiovascular benefits. Learn more about indoor cycling and spin classes here! This and other unique content 'cycling' articles are available with free reprint rights.
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