As ABC launches the Your Move campaign, to help Australians explore their health and fitness journey, reporter Marnie Vinall hits the road to sample some of the growing fitness trends across the country.
It’s hard to watch a modern-day female-focused millennial TV show or movie without a spin class at some point.
Key points:
- Spin class is an intense workout involving stationary bikes, with an instructor up front guiding you through
- While some classes are standard, others involve nightclub-like conditions, complete with flashing lights and loud music.
- Spin programs were developed by South African endurance cyclist Johnny Goldberg in the 1980s.
Although I’ve taken the odd RPM class here and there, I’ve never been in a cycle-specific studio to do what the kids call “spin.”
So I reached out to Adam Pearson, who has been an indoor cycling instructor for about 20 years, for a rundown.
He told me that there are many different styles of indoor cycling classes offered by the industry, including: strength training, explosive training, aerobic training, traditional training models, and even the more recently popular “bike party” type methods.
However, all of these forms have cardiovascular benefits through low-impact exercise, which is great for staying fit without putting too much strain on the body.
So good for someone like me with a nagging knee.
Plus, he said, it’s an incredibly efficient form of exercise.
“All energy systems can be used, the anaerobic energy system and the aerobic energy system, they can be used in most classes, and most classes are pretty high intensity,” he said.
And, for those like me who are less well versed in body systems, those are the energy systems needed for, respectively, quick bursts of energy, say jumping, and for prolonged periods, say running.
However, he assured me that no matter what kind of training I did, there was usually “always good music, so there was always good vibes.”
As a fitness fanatic with dance floors turned up, I went with the more “bike party” option and contacted Bodhi and Ride who offered “revolutionized traditional twist… [in] dark, hot and humid studios equipped with high-tech bikes and production-quality sound and light systems.”
Michaela Fellner, CEO and founder of Bodhi and Ride, kindly offered to let me take a class at her South Yarra studio.
He told me newcomers could look forward to “really intense” and “immersive” training.
“We’ve basically crammed everything into 45 minutes,” he said, telling me the time interval meant it was an efficient way to get a full-body workout, including upper and lower body.
“The other component is a community aspect that happens before and after class.”
Noting my intimidation at trying something so new and dynamic, Fellner told me they were “well aware of the fact that it’s daunting.”
“It’s a unique experience and it can definitely be intimidating. So, we’re very aware of that,” he said, saying the instructors were there to make you feel welcome and keep you informed about what was going on.
Also, they are there for motivation and encouragement.
Which is exactly what I found when I mustered up the courage to keep going.
The room was dark, as promised, with flashing lights, loud music, and an extremely enthusiastic instructor, who very kindly helped me adjust my bike and put on my boots.
She guided us through the tracks, pushing us to go faster and harder, while also shouting words of praise.
And, let me tell you, from the warm-up onwards, everything went well.
There were a variety of different tracks, including a meditation track that riders could take at their own pace and dance tracks that really put my coordination to the test.
Have you ever had to move your arms to maintain a specific rhythm while your legs go around? Yeah, me neither, but it was a lot of fun to give it a go while sweating a lot in low light.
There was also a weight track, where the legs were isolated on the bikes and the upper body was instead targeted with exercises using hand weights.
This included repetitive movements, such as bicep curls and shoulder presses to music.
My intimidation eased as I got used to the pace of the class and trying to keep up and try harder took over.
Also, the darkness of the room, with the help of the vibrant music, helped, because I only focused on myself and the movements.
The playlist, featuring the likes of Skrillex, Denzel Curry, and Disclosure, definitely helped the drive, too.
After I got off the bike, I took home a big bowl of carbs and finally understood what all the fuss was about.
It was 45 minutes of intense exercise but afterward I felt great, covered in sweat and like I had accomplished something. Also, as if I had attended a very short rave.
What are spinning classes?
Originally developed by South African endurance cyclist Johnny Goldberg in the mid-1980s after he was hit by a car, spin classes were aimed at endurance athletes as a substitute for outdoor bike training.
Goldberg developed stationary bikes himself and moved to California to increase product exposure and classes.
Over the ensuing decades, spin classes became commonplace in gyms before taking on a life of their own, with some classes offering nightclub-style settings to get the pulse racing.
How much does a spin class cost?
Classes can cost between $10 and $30 per individual session, although many places offer package deals that include more than one class.
Where can I do spinning classes?
While many gyms offer spin classes as part of their membership offerings, spin class studios have been popping up all over the place, offering a more dynamic experience.
Some spin classes have even been offered at local pubs and bars.
Search for “spin class near me” online for best results.
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