Spinning Classes vs. Riding on the Road

Yep, it absolutely will help your bike conditioning.

The best training you can get is on your bike, but the second best in my opinion is spin class.  It's almost always some types of intervals so as long as you push yourself and don't be a sally on the resistance you can get a heck of a workout.

I'd even go so far as say that I often get a better workout in spin than I do on my bike because I push myself so hard and really get into the class.

As far as working it into your workout I just count it as 60 minutes on the bike and approximate the mileage at 20 miles.  So just work it in on your bike days.

See below.  That is the main reason why spinning class kicks butt.  The least you should be doing is spinning.

I like spin classes for motivation and variety, but for me they do not equal the same workout as a ride on the road. In spin class I don't have to worry about balance, handling, cornering, wind, traffic, etc., and I don't have music or an instructor to help me on the road. The fit of a spin bike will also inevitably not "fit" you like your own bike, so there's a risk for tweaks you wouldn't get on the road. Just different workouts.

I see spin classes as mostly cardio workouts that mimic cycling a little bit. Not going to hurt your performance (unless you over-do it, which I have before) but IMO it's not a one-for-one substitute workout.

I took a total of TWO spin classes....along with "hovering" the two instructors (idiots) were also big on "jumps".  Add the non-stop yapping over the music by 2 or 3 people in the class and I was done. I'll take riding the trainer in front of a big TV with some sporting event playing over that garbage any day.

ETA - I'm sure some poeple love them....I'm glad...it keeps them out of the pool while I'm there.

It sounds like Suzanne and I run our spin classes in a pretty similar fashion and I agree with everything she's said here.  However, I would like to add that it is important to focus on proper pedaling technique while using a spin bike.  The fly wheel can cause people to alter their stroke.  I have seen people develop dead spots in their stroke when get back their back after they spend all winter on a spin bike and not any time on their own bike.

Well it sounds it will pretty much only help with my cycling conditioning.  Since this will be my first "spinning" experiance I'm not sure what "jumping" or "hovering" or how to judge a class.  I do know that one of the areas Tri Groups does their swim training at the center, so maybe that spills over to the other classes.

I'm super excited about the whole thing, as this will be my first opportunity to incorperate, classes (spinning, swimming, etc), with regular tri training and strength training all in one spot.

I had planned to ride 5 days a week starting in June, so maybe I'll use two of these classes to the mix, or just add them ontop of the outdoor riding.

If you are wise you can position yourself in the spin class to get a workout and get some great visuals - much better than a basement ride on the trainer.

Don't worry - if you go hard in spin class, it's every bit as good as outdoor cycling as long as you're not a total beginner on bike handling.  You might not do any of the weird motions they sometimes do (like jumps, or one-handed stuff), but focus on hard efforts, and it's 100% legit. 

I would have no problems substituting spin classes for outdoor rides or trainer rides of similar duration and intensity, and infact, having others around can make it easier to motivate on those killer intervals that you'd otherwise dread doing. Even if the spin class is 'not hardcore' enough for you, you can make it that way by cranking up your own intensity, which is the best part of it. You have nobody but yourself to blame if it's not hard enough.

Embrace spinning. There's no problem at all with it. (I do them as often as I can, and otherwise ride with competitive road cyclists, and it has done nothing but help.)

I agree. And if you have questions about any of the techniques they do, ask here. You'll get some good answers.

If you avoid moves that you would not do on your real bike outside, you will be fine.  "Jumps" and "hovers" are movements that have been dreamed up by aerobics instructors that happen to teach indoor cycling classes.  These movements are silly and potentially harmful.

Mad Dog Spinning is a great certification.  Unfortunately, aerobics instructors that are not cyclists are always trying to find ways to entertain the riders.  They do not abide by the safe training principles learned in the (short) Spinning Certification.

I am certified by Mad Dog.  I am a cyclist and triathlete.  My riders receive the same type of coaching in Spinning class that Suzanne is describing.  Each class is different.  Seek out the classes taught toward outdoor cyclists.  Have fun!

Good thinking!  I have to stop sitting in the front of the class and giving the visuals to everyone else!

I am glad someone asked this question - I was wondering this myself.  I live in the PNW and haven't been out on a bike all winter - I have been doing spin classes - so we'll see how it feels when I hit the street.

+1.  Great cardio workout but gotta get out on the bike too.

The Mad Dogg Spinning program is very good.  It's a shame that the orientation is so short.

I think that it is beneficial to have all indoor cycling instructors, whether they are real cyclists or not, be certified by one of the groups that offer indoor cycling certifications.  This way, management of ABC Gym (if they care) can take action in preventing silly and potentially injurious movements from infiltrating indoor cycling classes.

I am not sure about ABC Gym, but I can pretty much tell you that management of LA Fitness could care less.  I have been trying to get local management @ my gym to replace a broken scale for 4 months now.  Seems to me that all they care about is that I pay my monthly dues.  

I use to coach those classes, but not so much any more.  Spin is better than nothing, but there are some drawbacks:  First, it can teach you bad habits on the bike.  Second, some coaches (Teachers) don't use properly structured workouts in the class.  But like I said, better than nothing.