Has anyone done a spin class?

[Sofa]

How can a person, so into cycling, endurance, and overall fitness feel like such a piece of crap at a spin class? (stationary bike sessions at the gym, with an instructor...the person who yells to put more resistance on...constantly... and other riders)

What an intense workout, sure it's not unicycling (well, I guess it technically is!) but if you have these sessions in your local gym, check them out

The music they play is very condusive to prolonged bursts of energy.

I think all riders could benefit from it, as none of your rides are this intense. (cardio-ly, anyways, the balance is a little easier)

[Rowan]

Originally posted by Sofa
if you have these sessions in your local gym, check them out

No thanks Sofa, I would prefer to have sessions in the forest whilst on a MUni expedition. I can't understand how people pay to get cooped up inside on a treadmill or excercise-bike, when they could go out running or cycling for real. I am not a fitness freak and most of the excercise I do is a coincidence.

[joe]

I have not done one personally, as I'm only 15, but my dad goes to spin classes every Monday night, sometimes in the morning too. He loves cycling. I goes out in the morning and does 60 miles on his safety cycle, then comes home, we have lunch, then we go on a Muni for a few hours, then he sometimes goes to the gym.

That sort of made it sound like he is an excersise freak - he is not, he spends loads of time with me and my sister... but he really enjoys doing anything to do with cycling!

i'll stick to one wheel!


Joe,

[hell-on-wheel]

I always thought gyms were a huge waste of kinetic energy. All that stuff being lifted up and down, but nothing actually productive being done (except getting a work-out). What kind of animals are we that we don't move our muscles enough in day to day life and so have to set aside time to do work whose only purpose is to move our muscles?

So, I always thought it'd be a cool idea to hook up all the work-out equipment to generators that powered the gym, or heck, the whole city. That way, people working out would actually feel like they're accomplishing something.

[Sofa]

Originally posted by Rowan
No thanks Sofa, I would prefer to have sessions in the forest whilst on a MUni expedition. I can't understand how people pay to get cooped up inside on a treadmill or excercise-bike, when they could go out running or cycling for real. I am not a fitness freak and most of the excercise I do is a coincidence.

This makes for a great intro to a weight workout.
And is far better cardio training that unicycling can accomplish.

Unicycling is great for toning, but real crappy for actually building muscle. Sure you can built a tiny bit, but certainly nothing like weight training.

The stronger your muscles are, the harder you can ride for longer.

I love forest expeditions, but they aren't everything I need in a physical fitness routine.

And let's not forget what time of the year this is...I'll be getting out less and less now for MUni rides, although weekly gym meets are always a great burn, this cardio training will be nothing but extremely beneficial, or so Kris Holm will be shouting from far behind me at the 24 hour race in the fall

[Rowan]

Originally posted by Sofa
This makes for a great intro to a weight workout.
And is far better cardio training that unicycling can accomplish.

Unicycling is great for toning, but real crappy for actually building muscle. Sure you can build a tiny bit, but certainly nothing like weight training.

Who are you trying to impress? Unicycling is way more fun and that is what matters to me. My muscles (or lack of) can build themselves without my help. Extra upper body muscles will just be extra weight when climbing hills and doing drops. If I wanted to do weights I would get a job as a labourer, and that way I would be getting paid to exercise instead of paying a gym to exercise. Why don't you just build yourself a really heavy unicycle or go out riding wearing a suit of armour or some diving weights? Or you could do some high altitude training in the Alps somewhere if you wanted to get really technical about your 24 hour race training regime.

Originally posted by Hell-on-wheel
I always thought it'd be a cool idea to hook up all the work-out equipment to generators that powered the gym, or heck, the whole city. That way, people working out would actually feel like they're accomplishing something.

Good idea! Alternatively you could set up electrodes on the equipment in the gym, and when people start slacking, the electricity provided by the other gym-goers could provide an electric shock to motivate the lazy people into working harder.

[Sofa]

Originally posted by Rowan
Who are you trying to impress?

I'm not trying to impress anyone. I am thinking of the future. I thought it might be nice to be healthy when I'm 70, and the muscle and bone density that I am building now will help me accomplish that.

You'd have to be crazy to think you aren't accomplishing anything by workout out at a gym.

Originally posted by Rowan
Unicycling is way more fun and that is what matters to me.

Of course it's way more fun, that's why I do both. No need for you to to both, I suppose.

After re-reading my original post, I see that when I said 'at your local gym' I meant 'at the gym you are a member of' I see how it could be taken in the wrong context. I was directing the comment at people who already are in the know of how benifical a gym is, not trying to convince the lazy, or unwilling to join up.

Just because you can ride a Unicycle in dirt, doesn't make you healthy.

[GILD]

Originally posted by Sofa
How can a person, so into cycling, endurance, and overall fitness feel like such a piece of crap at a spin class?

i used to do quite a bit of spinning long before my unicycling days and i keep threatening to go back
it's a whole hell of a lot of fun and a blistering work-out to boot
the music and the level of effort combines to make it real easy to achieve a headspace way beyond the confines of a gym and that makes for a very enjoyable work-out

i've allways wanted to see them hook-up a fan to that wheel that u are turning as frantically as u do
at least u'll have something to cool u down
i'm quite a sweater and used to drench at least two sweatbands in a 45min class
it's great fun and u HAVE to try it at least a couple of times
(the first class is sooo hectic, u have to catch a coule more to get the idea)

[Rowan]

Originally posted by Sofa
Just because you can ride a Unicycle in dirt, doesn't make you healthy.

Never said it does. I don't mind if I am healthy or not. If I wanted to be totally healthy I wouldn't smoke pot, drink alcohol or stay up too late, and how fun would that be? By the way I meant the other type of 'sessions' in the forest, the unhealthy (yet fun) kind*.

*I'd better clarify that... I meant smoking herbs.

[grey]

Originally posted by hell-on-wheel
So, I always thought it'd be a cool idea to hook up all the work-out equipment to generators that powered the gym, or heck, the whole city. That way, people working out would actually feel like they're accomplishing something.

This idea should be forwarded to Ralph Nader, or your senator! People should be giving something back to their community!

[Sofa]

Originally posted by Rowan
Never said it does. I don't mind if I am healthy or not. If I wanted to be totally healthy I wouldn't smoke pot, drink alcohol or stay up too late, and how fun would that be? By the way I meant the other type of 'sessions' in the forest, the unhealthy (yet fun) kind*.

*I'd better clarify that... I meant smoking herbs.

I never said 'Totally' healthy

That's what I like about MUni...the personal trainers get mad when you spark one up at the weightbench.

[wobbling bear]

Originally posted by grey

This idea should be forwarded to Ralph Nader, or your senator! People should be giving something back to their community!

there is an old (early sixties) south-african story about that:
there was a ranch (actually I dunno how they call a "ranch" in south-africa)
and to get in you had to go past a revolving door.
at a party people complained to the ranchers that their door was in
need of some grease to ease the pushing for it was really hard.

well no way said the rancher with every turn there is a gallon of water
going to the citern up the roof!

bear

[hell-on-wheel]

Originally posted by Rowan
I don't mind if I am healthy or not. If I wanted to be totally healthy I wouldn't smoke pot, drink alcohol or stay up too late, and how fun would that be?

I have to agree with Rowan's sentiments here. Though health is important to me, happiness is even more so. Now, to a certain extent, the two go hand in hand - I'm never very happy when I feel like crap. But I also don't imagine I'd be very happy stuck inside all day lifting and setting down heavy objects while never actually doing anything productive. Sure I may live long, but what for? I need a purpose, I need meaning in my life.

So, if I am working out, I want to have fun doing it, even if that means sacrificing the "quality" of my work-out. But who am I to say that Sofa doesn't thoroughly enjoy pedaling in place in a bland, sweat-reaking room, constantly being yelled at while speakers blast the Mortal Kombat theme song?

To each his own.

[Sofa]

Originally posted by hell-on-wheel


But I also don't imagine I'd be very happy stuck inside all day lifting and setting down heavy objects while never actually doing anything productive.

5 hours a week is hardly 'all day', and like I said, it's incredibly productive. I am basing this on physical productivity. Think about it...if we're aren't talking about physical productivity, what good is unicycling?

Originally posted by hell-on-wheel


Sure I may live long, but what for? I need a purpose, I need meaning in my life.

You'll live the same amount of time, you will just have a different purpose...whether it's continuing to be an active person, or barely managing to get out of your chair (if at all)

Originally posted by hell-on-wheel

So, if I am working out, I want to have fun doing it, even if that means sacrificing the "quality" of my work-out. But who am I to say that Sofa doesn't thoroughly enjoy pedaling in place in a bland, sweat-reaking room, constantly being yelled at while speakers blast the Mortal Kombat theme song?

To each his own.

If you have not participated in the activity, how can you say? If you did it and hated it, fine. If you've never done it, you'd be suprised at how enjoyable it really is. (I was)

But like you said, to each his own. I'm just glad I can make an informed decision on the matter, instead of assuming I hate it.

[hell-on-wheel]

Yeah, I didn't really decide that gyms, and especially stationary bike classes, weren't for me until after about a month of regular visitation to the VCU gym (I had free membership as a student). I thought it would be a good way to train for the MS Bike Tour. Every time I went I felt like I was at church, constantly looking at my watch, wanting nothing more than for it to end. It felt like an obligation.

Then I decided that actually going out and unicycling was more fun. When I uni, I'm not focused on any goal, just enjoying the moment. I guess I'm just a big fan of scenery.

I try to only talk about things I've actually experienced. I'm a big advocate of "Don't knock it til you've tried it."

I tried it, and it sucked!