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5 Great Reasons to Try a Spin Class

5 Great Reasons to Try a Spin Class

There’s a reason you see so many spin-class exercise gyms around – because it’s effective! There’s no better exercise when it comes to low-impact cardio and leg strength building. 

Sure, running is excellent for the heart, but it’s terrible for your joints and puts you at a high risk of injury. 

While there’s always a risk of injury when doing physical activity, having an instructor who can give you tips on form during your spin class can help you avoid getting hurt. 

Need some motivation to hop in the saddle? We’ve got five reasons you should try a spin class, below.

1. It Works a Large Number of Muscle Groups 

You don’t have to slave over the squat machine or do crazy deadlifts to get the strong legs you want. You can simply go to a spin class for similar results. 

During a spin class, you’ll work your:

  • Quadriceps (the front of your thighs)
  • Hamstrings (back of thighs)
  • Glutes
  • Calves
  • Heart (it’s a muscle too!)
  • Core
  • Shoulders 
  • Lungs 

Want to know why those muscles matter so much? Keep reading!

The Benefits of Strong Hamstrings and Quadriceps

Your hamstrings and your quadriceps are some of the largest muscles in your body. They attach to your tailbone and hip bones, and they work as a pair. 

Since they attach at both the knee and the hip region, you can prevent injuries to both areas by making your quads and hammies strong. 

You want to make sure you work both sets of muscles, as weak quadriceps will ask too much of the hamstrings, and vice versa. 

Cycling does an excellent job of strengthening both muscle groups during a class, leaving your knees, hips, and back in a better place than when you started. 

Pro Tip: Hamstring Stretches 

Are you having lower back pain you just can’t seem to stretch out? The problem may actually be tight hamstrings. Since they attach to your posterior muscles, they can contribute to lower back pain. 

Making sure to stretch your hamstrings (and quads, of course) can reduce your lower back pain – stretching it out right at the source! 

Glutes

Your glutes are the biggest muscle in your lower body, and in your body in general (if you don’t include the heart). There are three different glute muscles, all of which cycling work. 

There’s your gluteus minimus, the gluteus medius, and the gluteus maximus. 

Strong glute muscles help you keep a natural and ergonomic hip tilt, can help with pelvic strength, and encourage a better posture while sitting. That’s not to mention the aesthetic benefits of working out your butt, either! 

When you’re doing a cycling workout, you should feel a good amount of muscle work in your glutes. If you’re not, talk to your instructor about adjusting your bike to make sure it’s the right fit. 

Core

Having a strong core is central to everything you do. That includes exercising, but other day-to-day things, like getting out of bed in the morning. 

If you’re looking to feel stronger in your daily tasks, your core is the first muscle you should work. 

Cycling works your core if you’re doing it right. You should always think about pulling your belly button to your spine while you’re on the bike, and keep a straight back (by engaging your abs) when you’re reaching for the handlebars. 

If you’re not keeping a tight core during cycling class, you’ll likely experience post-class back pain. 

Shoulders 

While cycling is mostly a lower-body exercise, some instructors will integrate upper-body work into their classes. It’s not uncommon to do push-ups on your stationary bike while giving your legs a break. 

Your shoulders get a mild workout any time you’re holding on to your bars, so remember to keep a slight bend in your elbows and pull your shoulder blades back and together, whenever you’re holding onto your bike standing up. 

2. It’s a Great Cardio Workout

If there’s one thing most people don’t get enough of, it’s cardio. We’re talking about the kind of exercise that raises your heart rate, like cycling or running does. 

Whenever you raise your heart rate, you’re asking your heart to work harder as a muscle. Raising your heart rate regularly makes your heart muscle stronger and keeps it healthier for years to come. 

And the higher your heart rate (though there are limits), the more calories you’ll burn. If your goal is to lose weight, you know you need to be burning more calories than you’re taking in.

While calorie burn is unique to each person and dependent on weight, it’s not uncommon for someone of average body size to burn 500 calories in an hour of cycling. 

Generally, the heavier you are, the more calories you’ll burn. 

3. It’s Safer Than Outdoor Cycling 

While most people that do cycling classes love riding bikes outdoors, that’s not always an option. The weather doesn’t always participate, and it seems that there’s a new fatality from a car vs. bike crash every day. 

Cycling classes are a good way to get your biking fix in no matter what the weather is like outside – while staying safe! 

4. It’s Low Impact 

If you’re someone that has issues with joint pain and you’re tired of swimming for exercise, then cycling may be the right step for you. 

Cycling is a lower impact than running or any other feet-on-the-ground cardio, but you should still check with your doctor before starting a new exercise regimen. 

5. It’s a Motivating Group Environment 

If you’re looking for something that’s lower impact than group exercise-type classes but still want the group environment, you’ll find it in our cycling studio. Our classes are motivating environments where you can make friends with the people on the bike next to you. 

You have the instructor to guide you through class and your friends at your side to keep you going when things get tough. 

What else do you need? 

Check Out Our Spin Class Schedule, Today! 

Whether you’re choosing to try a spin class because it works a large number of muscles, because it’s lower-impact, for the calorie-burning benefits, or to find your exercise tribe – we hope you’ll join us during one of our in-gym rides. 

If you’re new, please don’t feel shy about telling the instructor. They’ll make sure you’re all set up for a successful spin class and can help you adjust your bike. 

What are you waiting for? Throw those shoes on and meet us for a group ride, today! 

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Holly Bosman

About Holly Bosman

Proud mom of 3 kids. Certified as a personal trainer and in Silver Sneakers. I enjoy gardening, running and reading. 

I love that my job gives me the opportunity to change people’s lives and help them achieve their goals!

Alex Wagner

About Alex Wagner

My name is Alex. I first was introduced to fitness after losing 110 lbs in high school. From there I enlisted into the marine cops where I operated heavy equipment but also coached overweight marines to get back into standard. Now I do competitive powerlifting but also coach all walks of life to find their own healthy lifestyles.

Director of Personal Training
Certifications: ISSA Personal Trainer
Experience: 3 years
Specialities: Weight loss, Strength training, Lifestyle nutrition

Nahjerrelle Graves

about Nahjerelle Graves

Fitness is Practice for life. From my 6 years of experience & combined with being an athlete for over 10 years, fitness is the closest you will get to immediate self-reflection. When the going gets tuff, who will you be for you?!

Certifications: ISSA, Expert rating, IFTA, AMP
Experience: 6 Years of training experience; former College Athlete
Specialities: Athletic Training/Muscle Gain -Total Body Training/Weight Loss

Gavin Anglin

About Gavin Anglin

Gavin is a very professional and hard-working personal trainer and nutrition consultant. His passions are faith, family friends, fitness and food. He works hard to help others achieve the highest levels of health and well-being possible.

Gavin graduated from Appalachian State University in the spring of 2021 with a Bachelor’s degree in nutrition and food. He also just recently completed the Dietetic Internship and graduate certificate program in nutrition with North Carolina Central University in Durham in the spring of 2023 to become a Registered Dietitian.

Certifications: ACEPersonal Trainer, AHA Basic Life Support training, BA in Food & Nutrition (Dietetics), NDTRs.
Experience: 6 years as Personal Trainer, 3 years NDTRs
Specialities: Lifestyle nutrition

Wanda Williams

About Wanda Williams

Hi! My name is Wanda Williams. It’s an honor and a privilege to be a part of the Fuel Fitness family.

My class is OnBeat. We do more than just dance! My class gives you an opportunity to express yourself and be a part of an awesome community without judgment. Can’t wait to meet you all!

Melissa Boorse

About Melissa Boorse

My name is Melissa. I am the Group Fitness coordinator. I have been teaching Group fitness for 8+ years. I started out as a Concept 2 Row instructor. I then began teaching indoor Cycle and now can teach a multitude of formats. I enjoy not only being a group fitness instructor, but I also enjoy the people in the classes. I love how they/we become friends and encourage one another, challenge each other, and help hold each other accountable.

Becoming an instructor has helped me to love and enjoy working out. I have now started road biking and hiking which is something I never thought I would ever enjoy doing. Getting into regular physical activity and healthy habits can lead to so many more activities, which makes life so much more enjoyable.

Abby Rex

About Abby Rex

My name is Abby and I’m a Licensed Recreational Therapist and a Certified Silver Sneakers Instructor.

I’ve worked for thirty years in Nursing Homes/Rehab Facilities and as a Silver Sneaker Instructor for eight years. Being with older adults is my jive and has always been even as a young girl.

My husband and I enjoy traveling, camping, and hiking. I’m glad to be a part of the Fuel Team!

Ryan Mitchell

About Ryan Mitchell

My name is Ryan and I love spending time with my dogs and wife.

I have been training clients for 18 years and am certified through NASM. I have recently completed a 14-month schooling/mentorship with a DR of physical therapy to become an active life professional.

An ALP is someone who offers education, and customized exercise programs based on comprehensive assessment and mentorship.

Trisha Marsh

About Trish Marsh

I started my personal fitness journey in 2017 when I lost 40 pounds in less than 2 months with diet and exercise. I made it my mission to help others the way I helped myself.

Certifications: Fitour Personal Training, Yoga, Group Fitness
Experience: 5 years
Specialities: HIIT, Cardio Dance Fitness, Pilates, Senior Fitness

Hal Roberts

About Hal Roberts

Hal is a transplant from Austin, TX. His training focuses on building a solid Mind-To-Muscle connection, mastering form, and building strength for a healthy active life.
Certifications: NASM CPT, USA Swim, USA Gymnastics
Experience: NASM CPT – 1 year; Swim – 15 years
Specialities: Functional strength training/ Fitness; Healthy aging

About Kristi Robinson

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Sonya Bryd

About Sonya Bryd

Sonya Byrd is a yoga instructor with a 200-hour certification. She has four years of experience teaching yoga flow, power yoga and deep stretch.

What she loves most about teaching is the connections made with members. She enjoys the opportunity to let members know that they are enough and are created with a purpose.

Maci Maund

About Maci Maund

Hey everyone! My name is Maci and I am very passionate about fitness and nutrition. I am a college student studying exercise science with hope to pursue a career in holistic medicine.

I am super excited to have the opportunity to instruct Row and Knockout here at Fuel.

Michelle Morton

About Michelle Morton

Hi, I’m Michelle and I have been teaching fitness classes for a little over 10 years. I love teaching in a group setting because it’s motivating to be surrounded by like-minded people and it fosters healthy competition.

Watching members go from a group of people who do not know each other when starting out, to growing into a family and people who care about one another is the best feeling.

I love watching people improve over time and helping them fall in love with moving their bodies and exercising. My goal is to make fitness FUN!

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James Day

About James Day

Originally from London, England I came to America with an athletic scholarship for swimming as well as to complete two bachelor of science degrees in Exercise Science and Sport Management.

During my time in college, I completed a Personal Training certification and also became a corrective exercise specialist. Since graduating in 2020 I have also become a certified nutrition coach. All certifications through the National Association of Sports Medicine (NASM).

Kristi Robinson

About Kristi Robinson

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