[Mom2apartyof5]

Cmarie have you left for the happiest place on earth yet???

I need to ask you some questions about spinning!

[Cmarie123]

I am here! We don't leave until September 7th. I have been crazy busy at work so I haven't been on the forum much lately. What's your question??

[Mom2apartyof5]

I am doing spinning at home.

Right now I am up to doing about 25 minutes a day, but my goal is 40. How long will it take me to get to the 40 minutes, or should I just try to pace myself out to last that long?

Also, I am having a lot of pain in one of my thighs when I ride - my husband says he believes it is because I am using it more than the other one. I'm wondering if I am doing something wrong.

How much water should I be drinking while I ride? I read that you can get dehydrated easily while spinning.

Also, I have been doing this plus walking for the last two weeks - when can I start seeing some inches disappear?

Any other tips and advice would be greatly appreciated!

[thenewguy]

can I ask what spinning is. Sorry to jump in, but I am interested in know what you guys do.

Jeff

[sassychica]

Its an exercise class on exercise bikes. I hear it's a good exercise.

[Cmarie123]

See the red notes below:

Originally Posted by Mom2apartyof5

I am doing spinning at home.

Right now I am up to doing about 25 minutes a day, but my goal is 40. How long will it take me to get to the 40 minutes, or should I just try to pace myself out to last that long? Any movement is MOVEMENT. I started my first class doing 45 minutes. It was really rough, but I eventually got into the swing of things. You will get there when your body is ready. 25 minutes is a great start!

Also, I am having a lot of pain in one of my thighs when I ride - my husband says he believes it is because I am using it more than the other one. I'm wondering if I am doing something wrong. I am not sure about the pain. Your husband may be right. Also, do you have good shoes? I had to buy a new pair of shoes when I got into spinning because of the endurance I needed. I bought a really good pair of Asics gel. They have made a big difference. It could be that you need better tennis shoes aka "sneakers" for the yankees.

How much water should I be drinking while I ride? I read that you can get dehydrated easily while spinning. I always take 2 bottles of water with me and drink each one of them. You sweat A LOT during a spin class so it is very important to stay hydrated.

Also, I have been doing this plus walking for the last two weeks - when can I start seeing some inches disappear? I started my first spin class in May. I guess it took about 6 weeks before I REALLY saw a difference!

Any other tips and advice would be greatly appreciated! When you get comfortable with riding, I would suggest taking a spin class at a gym. There is nothing better than the motivation you get from a room full of sweaty determined people. The music is usually good and keeps me focused. I take classes at the Bounds YMCA in Daphne. I love the instructors there!

[thin4good]

I know I'm doing more cycling than spinning but the concepts are similar. I'm planning on doing spinning classes once it gets a bit too dark or too cold to take my bike out.

Mom2aparty... when does the thigh pain start? is it closer to your hip or closer to your knee? When standing off of your bike are you someone who points your toes out or in? How are you positioning your feet on the bike? Out or in? Does the thigh pain happen at a certain part of the cycle? Ie, when you're about to push down with that thigh? Or is it constant? Are your feet in straps or are they free? Is it a sharp pain or more of a constant dull ache?

The last pain I had to address on my bike was left knee pain. I realized it was happening because I put new pedals on my bike that lock my feet in and my left leg naturally turns out more than my pedal was letting me, so I had to adjust my pedal.

I have also had to adjust my bike seat and my handle bars before to accomodate other pains. The longer you ride, the more aches and pains will happen and the more you want to adjust your bike to fit your body anyway you can.

If the pain is happening when you push down w/ that leg try going in a slower gear... does the pain lessen? if the pain happens at a certain point in the exercise routine, perhaps you are just getting fatigued? Can you recreate the pain while off the bike?

I know it's a lot of questions but it will help you pinpoint what is wrong! Good luck!

[Mom2apartyof5]

Answering below and note to Cmarie at the bottom.

Originally Posted by thin4good

Mom2aparty... when does the thigh pain start? about 4-5 minutes into the ride is it closer to your hip or closer to your knee? It is closer to the knee on the outsideWhen standing off of your bike are you someone who points your toes out or in?Probably more out, my right foot does turn a little in, but its the left thigh that hurts How are you positioning your feet on the bike?I think I slightly turn them in come to think of it Out or in? Does the thigh pain happen at a certain part of the cycle? Ie, when you're about to push down with that thigh? Yes, it tends to hurt more when I push down.Or is it constant?Not constant but sometimes after a ride I still have some pain Are your feet in straps or are they free?I took the straps off, I have big fee Is it a sharp pain or more of a constant dull ache? More of a dull ache, that gets stronger when I push down

I have also had to adjust my bike seat and my handle bars before to accomodate other pains. The longer you ride, the more aches and pains will happen and the more you want to adjust your bike to fit your body anyway you can.

If the pain is happening when you push down w/ that leg try going in a slower gear... does the pain lessen? if the pain happens at a certain point in the exercise routine, perhaps you are just getting fatigued? Can you recreate the pain while off the bike? Thanks so much, I will think more about this when I spin tonight, I appreciate all the feedback!

I know it's a lot of questions but it will help you pinpoint what is wrong! Good luck!

Thanks CMarie for all the great tips and advice. I may start a class after the first of the year it just depends. I am doing a program with music and with variation on the machine (hills, dips, and even road). The main thing about taking outside of my home is that I do have these five kids ...LOL

[thin4good]

I didn't mean "slower gear" I meant "lower gear" spin quicker but with less force per push. Cycling is not a natural position for our bodies. If we have hips that point outward or toes that point outward and then we push on pedals with our foot straight we're putting a lot force onto our leg at a new and strange angle. I'd work on a lower gear and moving your foot around. If you find a "sweet spot" that doesn't seem to be causing your leg as much pain... start there. Even if it seems slower than you want to go, because odds are good, you're body's just not used to this new position. If the pain is becoming too constant don't ride the bike for a few days! Go for a walk instead. Pain is our bodies way of telling us it doesn't like something.