Thursday, March 3, 2011

Rainbow Plans, My First Spin Class: Pros & Cons

So fun!! MANY of you are eating rainbows- it seems I'm the one who needs to catch up! (imagine that!) I will though - i'm really working on finding 'rainbow recipes.' I find that my meals are 'one pot' meals and don't include a lot of veggies - but for us, the breakfast ones do well with a side of fruit, and the dinners do well with a side of our favorite veggies (chopped broccoli, sauteed mushrooms, zucchini, etc.) or a small salad. From here on out, i'm going to make sure I note what veggies go best with which dishes and take a picture with them, in addition to the one pot meals that have lots of veggies in them so you don't have to make a side! This made me laugh over at Natalie Dee... Rainbows make everything better. haha

Today i'm home with the baby pups - YAY! Here are some pics I snapped on Sunday - Reuben yawning and Remy dozing!
Love these babies - you can see Molly's hand (my treasured object from Monday's post) in this picture on the left! haha

K - on to yesterday. I worked, took my lunch break to walk 3.5 miles, worked more, and then after work I headed to the gym. The plan was to walk a few more miles then take a 7 p.m. Bodyworks class. However, in the locker room I saw women in bike shorts so I asked - is there a cycle class tonight? She said yeah, right now - come on! So I just sucked it up and stopped talking about going to a spin class and just took one. I felt like an idiot a lot - you know, not knowing how to get my wheels to pop out, how to get my feet in, how to set up my bike, etc. - but everyone was SO sweet and helpful! This made me laugh.... hehe

So far, here are my Pros & Cons to Spin Class (based on my first experience - i'm sure these will change):

Pros: I was sweating bullets within 5 minutes - great workout; my legs are super sore today - in a good way; the class went by FAST - all of the up and down and fast and slow - the hour was gone before I knew it; the music was good - loved how it was dark in there - very cozy; it didn't hurt my foot... very much. May need to get shoes if I decide to do this for reals.

Cons: Hard to get set up (if you're a beginner I'd advise going early unlike me!); still not sure about the resistance thing - again need to get help; I was wearing the wrong shorts - my inner legs HURT - going to get the right shorts!

So really - the cons, to me, are all around not being prepared which, admittedly, I wasn't! I had no intentions of attending the class. So i'm going to get some cycle shorts (which are going to look horrible on me - but it's better then chafing, right?). And, when I attend my next class, i'm going to arrive early so I can ask questions about the set up (and write down the settings that feel right) and the resistance. Next time i'll wear an HRM too!

So after spin class, I took the 1-hour body pump class. Another great class - this one focused on a lot of dead lifts, lunges and shoulders. They cover everything, but you know sometimes one thing sticks out more than another! After both classes I was ready to get home

Q: Have you ever taken a spin class? If so, what do you like best about them and what do you like least? And what do you WEAR? (i'm SUCH a girl)

21 comments:

Erica said...

Whoop! Great job on your first spin class! I do enjoy spin. I take it about once a week- a great way to add variety to your workouts. I usually wear capris. Your behind will hurt for your first few classes then it sort of...gets used to it ;) You can also buy padded shorts if the seat bothers you too much. Have a great day!

Jenny said...

Spin classes can be tough to get used to, but they are great for variety! I always wear longer shorts or capris when I go, but nothing really seems to help with the uncomfortable seat (how do bikers do it for such long distances??)

Hope you enjoy them more in the future.

Cute pics of the pups!

Teresa said...

Yes we call it RPM in Auburn. Good for you to take both Body Pump and Spin. Yes it goes by fast. I just wear shorts with like a spandex short underneath but I'm sure the padded short would be great as well. And I agree with Erica after your first few times your Bum gets used to it, but if you skip a week or so it will be sore again so I would suggest keeping it consistent. :)

Anonymous said...

you're making me want to join a gym, asap! I hated spin at first, but then grew to like it. It's a kick-booty workout and goes by quickly.

I always felt most comfortable wearing tight capri pants (lululemon are my FAVES!!!) - I don't think I will ever wear bike shorts, even if it's 99 degrees in the room!

Way to go on spin AND body pump! That's a big time workout!

Puppies are precious, as always!

Danielle said...

You are a mad woman! Two exercise classes in a row – totally awesome. I like spin but can’t convince myself to do it enough.

Anonymous said...

I took a spinning class once and wasn't wearing the right clothes either....my legs were killing me! It was a lot of fun though! The one thing I didn't like was how crowded the class was. You had to get there 1/2 hour early just to reserve a bike!

Heather (Where's the Beach) said...

Nicely done trying out that spin class! I have taken spin many times. I enjoy it, but it's not my first choice. For some reason I semi dread it until I get going.

Mica said...

I think the first spin class is the hardest because you don't know how to allocate your energy throughout the tracks. It's really fun though; I enjoy it quite a bit.

I can't believe you did BP afterwards.Hardcore.

Anonymous said...

You might find this link helpful!
I teach spin 3x/week. It does take somegetting used to that is for sure! COngrats on your first class. I always tell my first timers to try to go 3x/week for 3 weeks before they make up their minds about it! :-)

http://www.willrunforhealth.com/2011/02/10-things-to-know-before-your-first.html?spref=fb

Gabriela said...

Wooooo I LOVE spinning!! Went this morning, actually. Spandex shorts are the way to go, and DON'T make the mistake of wearing pants with any kind of flare because it will brush against the bike and drive you nuts!

Anonymous said...

I've never taken a spin class! After another round of raises I kinda want to join a gym so I can go to classes again (spin, body pump, zumba, etc). I miss cardio classes!

Kacy said...

I do enjoy spin but the class schedule doesn't really work for me.

I just wear workout capris and a tank.

MaryT said...

yeah get it girl!!! happy that you tried your first class!! the only thing i really miss about being a gym member is throwing in the random class now and then....
love the pups (per usual!)

Andrea@WellnessNotes said...

Great job on taking a spin class!!! And thanks for your thoughts about it. It's been on my "list" for a looong time, but I always find excuses. I really just have to do it!!!

fittingbackin said...

Erica: Thanks! Capris - got it! Thanks!

Jenny: I can see that - and yes - all over the capris! Thanks!

Teresa: Like it! Yes- both classes flew by! I like it -it's motivation to go so it won't hurt so bad!

Theritts: do it! :) I'm glad I joined - really trying to take advantage. I'm going to try to hit up lululmemon tomorrow! Thanks!

Danielle: haha It was a great workout day! I hear you - I'm going to have to convince myself too!

Annemarie: Yes - I wasn't dressed right! I got lucky with the class though - only about 12 peeps!

Heather: Thanks! I can see that - especially with how sore I am today!

Mica: I can say this may be my first time getting a hardcore label! haha I enjoyed it - I just love ST!

momwifefitnessnlife: GREAT TIPS - I posted on your blog - you're awesome!

Gabriela: got it - no flare - you guys are awesome!

Anna: you must try it if you get back into classes - i'm really glad I did - I feel that buzz I used to feel when I ran (but without the pain in foot). :)

Kacy: oh that sucks! I don't own workout capris - am I the only blogger who doesn't? I think so!

MaryT: thanks, lady!! hehe I just love our pups!

Andrea: It was on mine forever as well - so glad I just DID IT. I swear if I'd planned on it I wouldn't have. haha I hope you try it one day!

Will Run for Health said...

Thanks for that sweet comment! Good job on on your first class! You may absolutely link away!

lee said...

If you do it more often, it won't hurt. I find that it just happens when I haven't done a class in a long time. I just wear normal workout clothes.

Joelle (The Pancake Girl) said...

I actually love spinning, mostly for the reasons you listed out haha even though i def don't do it enough, and it still intimidates the heck out of me haha. Those instructors are always so intense!! I plan on adding more spin to my routine stat- and yes, spandex shorts or capris are def a necessity if you keep this hobby up.

Kelly Olexa said...

I have yet to take a spin class but I hear that they are fantastic. But now that you say you should wear biker shorts, that eliminates my desire to try it out LOL I hate biker shorts. I really do!! I'm a dork.

Joelle (The Pancake Girl) said...

I actually love spinning, mostly for the reasons you listed out haha even though i def don't do it enough, and it still intimidates the heck out of me haha. Those instructors are always so intense!! I plan on adding more spin to my routine stat- and yes, spandex shorts or capris are def a necessity if you keep this hobby up.

Teresa said...

Yes we call it RPM in Auburn. Good for you to take both Body Pump and Spin. Yes it goes by fast. I just wear shorts with like a spandex short underneath but I'm sure the padded short would be great as well. And I agree with Erica after your first few times your Bum gets used to it, but if you skip a week or so it will be sore again so I would suggest keeping it consistent. :)