Why Indoor Cycling Classes Are A Great Cardio Workout
Soon after joining my local health club late last summer, I began to look for an appropriate cardio workout to help me shed some excess weight that added up over the last few years. My goal was to find something lower impact that I'd enjoy and stay with. At the same time, I knew that my high impact style from 20 years ago was a thing of the past. While I can still jog and climb the Stairmaster, it was important to seek out a lower impact alternative.
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?
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.
In talking with other class members, many have pointed out they appreciate being able to work out at their own pace. Instructors are trained to emphasize this point. Part of an instructor's training is to help motivate the class, while recognizing the varying fitness capacities of participants.
Spin classes have proven to be an ideal addition to my fitness routine, and they'll likely appeal to you as well. No matter your age or fitnes level, these classes or any type of indoor cycling will give you an excellent cardio workout in a motivated, supportive setting. If you're looking for a great low impact cardio workout, consider trying a spin class at your local health club. Hopefully you'll enjoy it as much as I do!