Pilates, Spinning, & Zumba! What will win? Our writer Holly went along to three very different fitness classes to see if she could find her perfect exercise. This week she kicks off with a fast-paced spinning workout.
I have never held a gym membership because I can’t be trusted not to go straight to the mats and pretend to be doing crunches. I have a short attention span when it comes to working out, so a fitness class is perfect for me.
Spinning (Studio Cycling)
I started my Battle of the Fitness Classes with Spinning or ‘Studio Cycling’ – whatever your local gym calls it, it doesn’t make it any easier.
I attended an indoor cycling class at my local gym and arrived pretty optimistic. The bikes at my gym are pretty low tech (imagine the ‘90s indoor exercise bike your mum had…). There is even a monitor measuring distance and time, which is good for the hardcore spinners. The instructor was very enthusiastic and the intense dance music got me pumped before the grueling session had even properly got going.
A very hot warm-up
The lesson starts off like all exercise classes with a warm up and my god, does it warm you up. Using a mix of high resistance up-hill standing cycling and sitting down recoveries, I was full-on forehead sweating in around 3 minutes flat.
I wouldn’t say I was unfit, I mean my main form of transport in Cambridge is a bike, so I like to think I am OK at cycling – but this class was like nothing I had ever experienced before. I was dripping with sweat and I have to admit I didn’t always stand up on the bike when the instructor said, but I gave it a good go!
Keeping hydrated
Drinking water is important so I took along a huge litre bottle and had finished it well before the 50-minute class was up. The 12-strong class continued in much the same fashion with pumping dance tunes and the instructor shouting “Come on!”, “Let’s do this!” and other inspirational words at you (while your thighs feel like jelly and you feel like you could pass out at any moment). I was genuinely nearly sick.
Sprinting like an Olympic Pro (maybe…)
The sprints were good fun though, turning your resistance lower and pedalling as fast as you possibly can with your bum on the seat. Overall, if you are looking for a good cardio workout with mega thigh and bum burn, then this is for you. However, for me it wasn’t the most fun way to exercise due to the repetitive nature of the exercise. I imagine it’s very good if you’re looking to push yourself outside your comfort zone and see results fast.
Would I do it again?
It’s probably one of the best workouts I have ever had, but I felt like I was going to pass out 85% of the time so, no, I haven’t been back.
Next time… Pilates
Keep your eyes peeled on Average Janes for the next installment in Holly’s Battle of the Fitness Classes.
Have you given Spinning a go? Share your thoughts with us @tweetjanes.