Advice on Spin Class

Hi all.

Back in January, and like 79 pounds ago, I took a beginner spin class at my gym. I was so completely nervous I dropped my water bottle (which promptly exploded on the floor), and I was the biggest person in the room. I wasn't able to do the jumps, hopping, fly-off-your-seat moves...so I pedaled...a LOT. Afterward, when the instructor had us stretching, I couldn't get my leg up on the seat effectively (then she said, "grab your toes"...I'm like "I have toes???").

I left the class really embarassed, even though the instructor was very encouraging, I didn't go back.

Well, I was thinking of giving the beginning class another go this week. However, I'm really feeling uncomfortable about not being able to do much of the jumps and stuff. Anyone have any advice on how to move past that? I mean, if all I'm going to end up doing is pedaling super fast....I really could do that on the stationary bike. I just thought the spin class would present a neat challenge.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

One of my gripes with any exercise class is lack of support for those joining and allowing for differences.  Now, don't get me wrong, if someone gets into an advanced class when they have little or no experience in that discipline, they made a mistake and can't blame the instructor...unless they were rude or insensitive.

A beginner spin class should recognize folks like you as needing to be brought along slowly.  It sounds like the instructor tried but maybe you should try to have a meeting with an instructor before you ever walk into the class.  Get some pointers, talk about your needs and just make a personal connection.  I guess that might be hard if they rotate instructors but keep making them understand you are a individual and not just a part of the mob. 

Also, don't sell you self short either.  Push yourself.  BUT...you hear this on the WL boards all the time...don't COMPARE yourself to anyone else.  Just work on making your own personal records (PR) and take pride in them.  There are some extremely good athletes here and I have to be careful to not do that myself.  Maybe I may do a multi sport event some time before I die but my first goal is to do a double century next year on my bike.  I'm comfortable with that singular goal and if in the process I get good enough to think about running...all that much better.  

You should be proud of yourself just for going!!! I really want to try, but I'm just not there yet with the whole possibility of humiliating myself. Baby steps I guess :)

Just keep spinning.

The best piece of advice I had heard from one of the instructors when they were addressing some new students.  If you can't stand up and race, or you can't up the tension any higher for the hill climb, just keep on pushing the pedals. 
This workout is your workout not anyone elses.  You are taking the time out of your day and this workout is all about you and all for you.  It isn't for anyone else in the room.  You don't need to please or satisfy anyone elses expectations for what should be done in the class.  You know what you can do.  Just be honest with yourself and always give it your best effort.

If you keep challenging yourself, it will never get easy.  You will just get better at doing it.  Your ability will increase and you will need to make it harder on yourself because you are constantly challenging yourself.

When you feel like quitting or need to stop just ask yourself, do I have to stop or do I want to stop.  There is a big difference between really needing to stop or modify your workout and just wanting to quit.

Just go and make the class about you.  You are doing this for you and every time you go and give a good effort, you are successful and that is something to be proud of.

Scott

Scott....any way I could woo you to move to Detroit and be my coach? Winters are cold, but...LOL

I absolutely love spin class! It is challenging and fun and the best part is...you set your OWN PACE! At my gym there is absolutely no beginners class so like you I was terrified! I also was the biggest girl in my class, but I got lucky because the other 5 people in my class were also beginners and there was one girl who was advanced so the instructor told the advanced girl to push herself as hard as she wanted.

But even though the class was "easier" than her normal it was super rough!! I couldn't stand up and pedal as long as everyone else and I couldn't jump up like everyone else and in all due honesty I felt like I was possibly going to throw up and die lol. BUT I pushed through it and just kept doing what I could and sat down when I couldn't take anymore and lightened up the tension even when she didn't tell us to. The one thing the instructor said was "keep coming back and it will get easier". I thought "yea right ok". Well I did go back again and again. By the third time I was going I could stand up with everyone else and jump with everyone else (also still the biggest girl in the room)

And then...I talked a few of my friends to come with me and they are all skinny mini little things and want to know what? THEY couldn't stand or jump just like I couldn't and I am double their size. So that made me feel better about myself. It doesn't matter your size or your looks, all that matters is that you keep going and keep showing up. When you feel it getting easier push yourself harder. If I can out spin a chick who weighs 100 pounds you can too lol. It's definitley not a race or something where you should compare yourself to others, just focus on the instructor and if your instructor uses a projector (mine uses one and we bike in the mountains lol) focus on that and not everyone else.

Me? Personally I like that challenge. It challenges me to push myself as hard as I can because just when I think that I can't take anymore I look at everyone else and see them struggling too and I refuse to sit down because I don't want to be the "fat girl who couldn't keep up". And plus, it made me feel good to know that I could do something a skinny girl had a hard time doing even though I am twice her size =)

I suggest you go back (bring your squishy bike seat so your butt doesn't hurt lol) and try again. Keep going and I guarantee you will see the difference. It only too****il my 3rd time to be able to keep up and that's that I hadn't worked out in months!! GOOD LUCK!!! And remember just enjoy it, you are doing it for you not anyone else. It's YOUR exercise so just enjoy it and have a good time!

I teach 6-7 Spin Classes a week at 24 Hour Fitness, and I will tell you what I tell everyone else... Today, this workout is all about you, I will give "Suggestions" to add resistance, take away resistance, get out of the saddle, sit in the saddle, I will provide you with an EXCELLENT Ride, the motivation to get you through it, and encouragement to challenge yourself and get to the next level of fitness... The only thing I can't do for you is Spin your pedals for you. You will get out of this class, what you put into it, but it's important that you work at your own pace, and to your own ability / fitness level. Push past the point of being comfortable, going into unchartered water, not past that point to injury, but to that place you didn't think you can go. There is nothing I will throw at you today that you CANNOT handle... If it is too much, back off, if you think it's too hard, (Like Scott Said) are you wanting to stop or needing to stop? Your mind will quit long before your legs and body will.... So on and so on...

Spin is all about YOU!!! Do not go in to class wondering what other people are thinking of you, go in there with the mindset that no matter what happens in class, #1) You showed up. #2) Out of the tens and thousands of people in your city, you are 1 of about 30 that decided to make something positive happen for yourself #3) You are stronger than you can even imagine. I learned long ago to stop caring what others think about me, and learn to start respecting and caring for myself. Once I realized that my puddle of sweet was 3 times as big as anyone elses in class, regardless of what I looked or felt like, I DESERVED to be there. Go do your thang and rock that friggin bike!!!

Thanks Dan.

I could just stuff all of you in my "cheer" bag.

I suggest going back.  I have gone to spin class since 3 months after my surgery.  I love it.  When you first go into the class, introduct yourself to the teacher (I know this isn't always easy).  Tell her you are nervous and a first timer.  My instructors always tell the first timers that all you have to worry about it to pedal and breath.  Your bottom will hurt a bit, but keep going and the muscles back there will get used to it.  I've lost 130 pounds and kept it off, partly due to spin class.  Good luck!!!

Kendra

The cool thing about spin class is that no one knows how much resistance you've dialed in. So you can have as hard a workout as you need and don't have to feel like you stand out as not doing as much as the next person. Because, for all you know, they are using less resistance than you!