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spinning: is this workout worth it?

the father of spinning, a low-impact yet highly-efficient workout, started by riding his road bike on a treadmill.

by chris arnold
published jul 15, 2022
read time 3 minute read
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read time 3 minute read
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spinning: is this workout worth it?
the number one benefit of spinning is the amount of calories a person can burn quickly. getty
spinning has sped its way to one of the most popular forms of group exercise. riders on stationary bikes follow an instructor to get the most out of a workout by sitting, standing, increasing resistance, going hard and lifting weights — often in time with the music.  some classes incorporate music, others incorporate heat and some even bring in dumbbells for riders to get more of a full body workout. spin classes usually last an hour or so, with riders sometimes able to burn more than one thousand calories, depending on how hard they pedal. 

when did spinning start?

spin classes took off in the 1990s, as the world spinning and sport conference kicked off in los angeles, according to sport prosthetic company ispo. but before that, indoor stationary bikes were taking off in the united states in the 1970s and ’80s as an alternative to actual bike riding, purely for exercise purposes.
south african cyclist johnathan goldberg combined intense stationary cycling workouts with music, developing what we know as spinning today. goldberg was inspired to make stationary cycling a more engaging and active workout when he was almost killed while training for the race across america, a nearly 5,000 km race that starts in san diego on the u.s. west coast and ends in annapolis, maryland on the east coast. in pursuit of a safer ride, goldberg brought the workout indoors, initially rigging his bike to a treadmill before developing the first spin bike.

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spinning is low-impact and generally safe for joint pain

the number one benefit of spinning is the amount of calories a person can burn quickly, according to spinning.com. in a monitored workout, people were burning between 7.2 and 13.6 calories per minute in a 40 minute session. it is also a relatively safe workout for joint pain as the pedalling is relatively low-impact. 
stationary bikes are also great workouts with gym-goers who are having trouble with their balance, according to the arthritis foundation. as a workout that mostly takes place while seated and stationary, balance isn’t really an issue for spinners. instead, people can focus on setting the right resistance on their bike and getting into a good rhythm. 

some spinners might find the hunched-over position uncomfortable

some people may find the position the body sits in while spinning uncomfortable. 
“the human body was never meant to sit in a flexed [bent-forward] spinal position, performing hundreds if not thousands of repetitions, overloading the hip flexors and quads,” personal trainer jason walsh told livestrong. 
the hunched over position can actually restrict the use of the glutes, one of the most important muscle groups in the body. and unless an instructor sets up a specific class with dumbbells, spinning offers little benefit to the upper body. it’s key to supplement spinning with arm, chest, back, and shoulder workout to ensure a balanced body. 
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is spin class right for me?

spinning is a good option for those with knee or joint problems, as it is a low-impact workout that is easy to adapt to almost any skill level, thanks to customizable resistances and different workout lengths. many boutique studios also offer fun experiences, like spinning in a darkened room with the music pumping — which some may find more motivating than the typical workout class.
anyone looking for a full body workout should look elsewhere, since spinning primarily focuses on the lower body, or look for classes that incorporate hand weights and stretching for a more complete experience. 
 
chris arnold is a toronto-based writer.
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