Everyone starts somewhere…back before I was a personal trainer, fitness instructor and spinning instructor, I went to take my very first spin class with my best girlfriend. We were terrified. We had both heard how hard and intense spin classes were and we had no idea what to expect. I loved it immediately and my only regret was not having tried it sooner. If you’re on the fence at all about trying your first spin class, here is all the advice I wish I’d heard! These are the tips I want you to know, both as an instructor, and as someone who has been in your shoes.
Get There Early & Announce You’re New
Even when you try to sneak in just before class and pick the bike in the back row as far from the instructor as possible, they still know you’re there, and if it’s their regular class, they already know you’re new, too. It’s so much better to get there 10 minutes early (most instructors will be there well before class starts, partly to be there for new people!) and tell the teacher you’re new.
What it means is you will have someone who knows what they’re doing taking the time to set up a bike to fit you properly, so you’re as comfortable as possible. You’ll also get a guide as to how to make adjustments – every spin bike is different, so even those used to classes can go to a new place and not know how to adjust an unfamiliar bike. The instructor will usually also give you a quick rundown on what to expect during the class, and what may be too advanced for you to try in your first class.
Take SO MUCH Water With You
Take a big bottle of very cold water with you to put on your bike. You will need every ounce of it, trust me. I have made people go and buy a bottle so they have water with them if they turn up without. You will also most likely refill it right after class and drink a whole other bottle.
Your Only Job is to Keep Moving
It’s your first class, so you don’t need to try advanced parts of the workout. All-out sprints may be too much for you, unless you’re already in really good cardio fitness, and standing up in the saddle may feel tough in your first couple of classes. For hill climbs, a little bit of resistance will go a long way until you get the leg strength necessary. I always tell my newcomers, “Your only job is to keep moving. Keep your legs going and try to keep a steady pace if you can’t keep up with any part of the workout.”
Be Prepared For the Day After Ouchies
Those seats are not designed for comfort. Some riders get special padded bike shorts. Most people who go to classes regularly are just used to the seats. But after your first ever spin class, don’t be surprised when you’re feeling sore the following day. Yep, your butt is going to hurt. And for female riders…well, you may find that your lady bits are a little tender. I can’t speak for the men, I’ve never had that conversation with my male first-time class participants!!
Don’t Sneak Peeks at Other Riders’ Displays
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had someone after class ask me why their distance/RPM/watts/mph weren’t as high as the rider next to them. There are so many factors that go into those metrics – your fitness, your weight and height, how much resistance you have on the bike, just to name a few – that it becomes an exercise in futility to compare yourself to the rider next door. Yes, I know there are classes where those benchmarks are displayed for the whole class so you can see where you stack up and I’m sure that motivates some people. But for your first class? Remember the part about your only job being to keep moving? You don’t need to be comparing your workout to anyone else’s. 🙂
Go Back a Second and Third Time
This might be the MOST important tip! Your first class is going to be so hard and you may feel like a total fish out of water. But your experience at your first ever attempt at spinning is no indication of how much you will enjoy it and get out of it as a regular workout unless you come back again. Go back for a second class and take it relatively easy again. Come for a third time and try to push yourself a little more this ride. If it’s still not your cup of tea, so be it…but most newbies I get to my classes DO keep coming back!
If you’ve been considering trying spinning, I hope these tips have encouraged you to take the plunge! It is so much fun and a really great workout. I love being an instructor and I also love attending classes for my own workout, so I want to share that joy with you all! 🙂
What’s the hardest first-time workout you’ve ever tried?
What advice would you give someone for their first spinning class?
Pingback: Best Tips for Your First Spin Class – Home Fitness Home