Spinning Bikes and Interval Training for Healthy Living

Spinning is a relatively new phenomenon, with classes only appearing in gyms nationwide in the last 5 years.  The reason spinning is such a popular past time with people wanting to burn calories and lose weight is due to the high-intensity nature of the cycling that it involves.  Health experts say that you can expect to burn in excess of two hundred calories in a thirty minute spinning session.

Many people are now turning to buying spinning bikes and working out at home – with the main reason being a financial one.  You can buy a spinning bike for less than two hundred pounds or dollars which when compared against monthly gym membership fees can be extremely cost effective over just a few months of use.

However, one of the most exciting aspects to spinning classes in a gym is the fact that you are driven on by an instructor plus the other participants in the class, so if you do plan on working out at home you will need motivation plus some decent interval training programs to follow.  Below is one such program that you can successfully try out in your own time which is proven to burn fat and calories – providing you stick to it and are able to self-motivate.

Seated Spinning Routine

This is the most simple of spinning exercises where you simply sit on the bike and pretend you are cycling on a flat road – but use the tension knob to control momentum and resistance as you go.  For example, set the knob or wheel to around 80 RPM for a flat area, but then increase the resistance to around 145 RPM over time.  Just keep repeating this instance over a 30 minute period as you would if being instructed in a class.

Interval Training Spinning Routine

The most popular spinning routine involves interval training.  You either stand up on the bike or sit down – but essentially switch between the two positions during you ride to simulate going up and down hills – it will really help to vary your heart rate which is intrinsically linked to effective cardio vascular exercise and fat burning.  Each section should be completed at varying degrees of intensity – so go fast for 30 seconds standing up, then sit back down for 30 seconds and reduce the pace – simply rinse and repeat for maximum effect.

Buying a Cheap Spinning Bike

Spinning bikes are not cheap, so for beginners you could instead invest in an exercise bike.  It won’t be as durable or as suitable but will still essentially work in the same way.  Before you buy make sure you read as many exercise bike reviews as you can to see if the bike you are going to buy will be able to stand up to the intense routines that you are going to put it through.

A word of caution, spinning should only be undertaken if you are free of a history of heart problems.  Please consult with your doctor before embarking on any type of high-intensity exercise routines and get a qualified opinion on whether these type of exercises will suit you.