Spinning as a fitness craze has been around for about 20 years and it seems like it’s here to stay, (which I think is more than can be said for the latest fad: the Twerk Out). For those who have never heard of spinning before, it is a stationary workout on exercise bikes. However, they are not your average gym bike with a display screen, but are much closer in resemblance to a classic road bike and as a result, they are more representative of normal cycling. Spinning classes usually last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour with the average class being 45 minutes. A good spinning class will be set to music and generally your instructor will organize the class so that you are peddling to the beat of the songs. The added benefit of the music is that it helps you forget the pain, and if you’re the type of person who gets a kick off motivational tunes, when Not Giving In by Rudimental comes on, you will be able to dig deep and push on!
So why spinning? Firstly, it’s great fun and when you’ve finished, man do you feel good. Secondly, spinning is absolutely brilliant for burning calories. For a 45 minute session the average person will burn somewhere in the region of 500-800 calories and those are some massive gains right there! Unlike circuit training, where it’s all or nothing, spinning allows for a gradual progression. By adding as much or as little resistance as you like, you can push yourself as hard or as little as you want. If you’re having a bad day, take it easy; if you’re feeling driven, up that resistance. For this reason, spinning caters for all abilities and levels of fitness and no-one will be any the wiser if you decide to take it easy.
Where to spin? The University gym has an enormous range of classes. Spinning classes are referred to as I.C.E (Indoor Cycing Experience) and the Uni runs standard I.C.E classes which are 45 minutes as well as I.C.E Xpress which is a 30 minute class. These classes are on every day at the University gym. With a Gold gym membership classes are free; otherwise you’ll have to pay. If you don’t fancy trekking to the University Gym there are plenty of other spinning classes in Nottingham. Due to its massive popularity most gyms will run spin sessions daily so there’s no shortage of options!
A word of warning: spinning makes you sweat so it’s advisable to bring a small hand towel with you and a huge bottle of water!