Spin classes have become all the rage in the fitness scene, and they are here to stay. Not only can they give you a killer full-body workout that leaves you feeling both tired and accomplished at the end of it, but they’re fun, too!

Here’s how those intense spin classes live up to the hype, get you closer to your fitness goals, and help you live healthier in the process.

What Joining A Spin Class Can Do For You

Cardio

Joining a spin class is an excellent way to give your heart health a boost. Cycling is a full-body activity, which means that the muscles in your entire body need an ample amount of oxygen to keep up with the intense workload. This means your heart has to pump harder to circulate blood everywhere it needs to go – and ultimately, that means improvements for your heart and your lungs, and better protection from chronic ailments like stroke, heart attack, and diabetes!

Fat burn

As an added bonus, that intense cardio also means an intense calorie burn, which can help you burn fat and lose weight. While the exact amount of calories burned depends on a variety of factors like your current height, weight, and the intensity of the class, it’s estimated that a 45-minute spin class can burn somewhere between 400-600 calories. When you keep in mind that health experts generally recommend a calorie deficit of 500 calories per day to lose weight at a healthy rate, regular attendance at your spin class can definitely add up.

Toning

Even better, there are more health benefits to your cycling class than just your heart health. Because cycling is a full-body exercise in which you’re fighting against resistance from the bike, you’re also working on building strength and muscle definition. This type of exercise is especially good for working your core and lower body. Some muscles you’ll be strengthening during your workout include:

• Abdominal muscles
• Back muscles
• Glutes
• Quads
• Calves

Energizing

If you’re sick of the boring, repetitive motions of running on a treadmill or cycling alone, joining a spin class is the natural answer. Rather than keeping a monotonous rhythm throughout the entire workout, spin classes usually involve an enthusiastic, encouraging instructor and a killer soundtrack to help you keep up the tempo throughout your entire ride. The result? A workout that’s exciting enough that you’ll want to keep coming back again and again, which ultimately means a more consistent workout and better results in the long run.

Low-impact

Another reason that spin classes are so popular for people looking to get healthy is that it’s remarkably low-impact and gentle on your joints while still being highly effective. Other popular cardio workouts like running, sprinting, and plyometric HIIT circuits that require jumping can be really hard on your joints, which can be discouraging for people who face issues like arthritis and knee pain. In a cycle class, you don’t have to jump around and jostle your joints, but you still get a great, calorie-burning workout that can help you strengthen your joints in the process!

Fitness community

You can’t underestimate the power of community when it comes to your fitness journey. When you join a spin class, you’re working alongside other similar-minded, goal-oriented people, and it turns out that that’s important for more than just making friends! Joining a community of healthy people can keep you more motivated and on track than going at it alone, which can then help you stay more consistent and motivated in the process.

Beginner-friendly

If it’s your first time trying out a spin class, it might feel a little intimidating at first. But rest assured, most spin studios are extremely beginner-friendly. Joining a spin class means that you’ll have access to a knowledgeable instructor who can help guide you through unfamiliar exercises, show you how to set up your bike for success, and push you to work as hard as is safely possible even when you aren’t super-motivated on your own.

Spin Class Tips & Etiquette

Psyched to get into spin? Here are some quick things you should know before calling up your local studio and hopping into the next class:

Wear the right gear

You don’t need any special equipment for a spin class, but you will want to make sure that you’re wearing comfortable athletic gear that you can move around in easily. You might also want to bring a towel (you’ll be sweating!). Most spinning studios will have shoes available that click into the bike pedals. Otherwise, a good pair of athletic shoes will work.

Be there on time (or even earlier)

Make sure you’re being respectful of your instructor and the others in your class by getting to the studio when your class is scheduled to start and not later. If it’s your first time at the studio, it might even be a good idea to show up a couple of minutes ahead of time to ensure that you’re setting your bike up properly and have time to talk to your instructor abut any questions you might have.

Don’t forget to wipe off your bike

By the end of your spin class, you’ll probably have sweated it out. Wipe and clean your cycle thoroughly to be courteous of the next rider.

Stay present

While you’re in the studio, turn your cell off, minimize the chit-chat with your friends and neighbors, and focus on the instructor and the workout on hand so that you and those around you can get the most out of the ride.

Know your limits

While there are plenty of spin classes that are suitable for total beginners, it’s still a good idea to take it relatively slowly as you’re first starting out so you can gauge your current fitness level. You don’t want to push so hard that you’re putting yourself at risk for injury! Keep up with the class to the best of your ability, but recognize when it’s time to slow down. You’ll get there as long as you keep going to your classes.

Stay consistent

Like any other workout or fitness class, joining a spin class on its own isn’t a shortcut to a healthier, fitter you. To get the most health benefits out of spin, attend as regularly as you can. You should also consider cross-training with other kinds of workouts for a more well-rounded exercise, and pair your gym routine with a good diet for the best results.

Conclusion

There are countless health benefits that come with your spin class, from boosting your heart health to linking you with a group of people who are just as committed to living a healthy lifestyle as you are. Hop on and enjoy the ride!

Featured image credit: Photo by Munbaik Cycling Clothing from Pexels