Want to burn 400 calories quickly? Sign up for a Spin class!

user

• by Erin Kurdyla, Fresh Fitness Tips, SELF Magazine, on Thu Nov 19, 2009 9:43am PST

• 8 Comments
• Post a Comment
• Read More from This Author »
• Report Abuse

Confession: I used to be afraid of Spin class. Seriously. Before I summoned the courage to sign up, I would walk by the classroom, hear the music pumping, see the pools of sweat beneath the bikes and desperately want to try it, but I was too chicken. It looked so difficult, and what were those little knobs, and why were the people standing up, then sitting down, then standing up? I was terrified of getting into the class and not having a clue what I was doing or worse yet, not being able to keep up. Thankfully, my friend and then-roommate Katie, herself a Spin class vet, convinced me to give it a try--and I'm so glad I did!

Spin your way thin with this expert advice!
If you've ever felt this way, you're in luck! OurDecember Master Class is the all-you-need-to-know guide to stepping confidently into Spin class. We got tips from Laurie Cole, a master instructor at SoulCycle, one of New York City's hottest indoor cycling studios [ahem, to the stars]. Cole breaks down everything you need to know to reap the better-body rewards of Spinning.
Here are just a few of Cole's best insider secrets:
*The rule of three: According to Cole, it will take you roughly three sessions to get the hang of Spin--so stick with it!
*You'll get total-body benefits: Think this is a leg workout, only? Think again! Cole says Spinning is a killer abs sculptor, too. By engaging your core while in all three of the positions--she tells her students to envision hooking their bellybutton to their spine--you'll tone your abs and break a serious sweat.
*Bypass saddle soreness: I know what you're thinking: That's gotta hurt. And yes, it does, at least for the first few classes. But to ease ouch, Cole recommends sitting your tush as far back on fattest, most cushioned part of the seat.