Indoor Cycling Classes - Low Impact Fat Burning Workout
Jim Hofman
Soon after joining my local health club late last summer, I began to look for an appropriate cardio workout to help me shed some excess weight that added up over the last few years. My goal was to find something lower impact that I'd enjoy and stay with. At the same time, I knew that my high impact style from 20 years ago was a thing of the past. While I can still jog and climb the Stairmaster, it was important to seek out a lower impact alternative.
A very important consideration for my workout routine was, very frankly, not to hate it! After years of bone jarring jogging and climbing Stairmasters, I knew I could go back to those routines, but I wouldn't stay with them long term. Yet, it was important to burn fat, develop and maintain cardiovascular fitness, and hopefully enjoy myself at the same time.
A short time after joining the health club, I began to notice the various aerobic class options. Some were as I remembered, while others were more intriguing. One type of class that caught my attention was an indoor cycling class. Although I've never been much of a bike rider, I did notice the folks who exited the spin class had gone through a challenging workout and were actually smiling as they exited!
I decided to participate in the next available class the following day. The instructor referred to the class as spin class and announced it was one hour long. Not daunted, I made it through the entire 60 minutes and enjoyed a challenging low impact workout that really got my heart pumping. Several months and several dozen spin classes later, I've found these classes to be an intergral part of my fitness regimen.
Although I just recently discovered spin classes, they've been around for a number of years. What I particularly enjoy is that they are appropriate for all levels of fitness and all ages. In a class I regularly attend, we have students ranging in age from teenager to senior citizens. The lack of impact is also a relief on the joints, and the cardio workout is challenging and efficient. Our instructor tells us that depending on our exertion level, we can expect to burn several hundred calories per class.
Most spin classes are one hour in duration, offering plenty of time to warm up and reach what my instructer calls the "fat burning zone". Heart rate monitors are available, which allow participants to see how hard they're working. A good instructor will explain the nuances of a typical class, as well as helping newer participants become acclimated.
You'll be cycling on a specially formatted stationary bike, known as a spin bike. Before class you'll be able to adjust the bike according to your height and comfort level. And just like other aerobic classes, you'll be working out along with music, which the instructor usually records and matches up with the workout.
During the class, you'll be challenged but also able to work at your own pace. Instructors are trained to encourage students to challenge themselves, while at the same time being careful to remind those new to fitness to work out at a comfortable level.
All in all, spin classes have proven to be a very effective part of my workout routine. Even two classes per week have given me a significantly greater fitness level and loss of weight. Combined with other forms of exercise like moderate resistance training, indoor cycling classes can help you reach your desired level of fitness. Don't be afraid to try a spin class at your local health club.
Jim Hofman enjoys maintaining and improving his fitness level with low impact, effective cardio workouts. One of Jim's favorite forms of working out is indoor cycling, due to its efficient fat burning and cardiovascular benefits. Learn more about http://www.cycling101.info/ indoor cycling and spin classes here!
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