Cycling is a fantastic way to work out that is engaging, challenging, and good for your body since it’s non-weight bearing as well as low impact. Many people have found the joys of cycling both indoors at spin classes, and outdoors on roads, trails, mountains, and more.
At Re:Gen, we love cycling and thoroughly enjoy offering spin classes that push you to new limits while incorporating aspects of pilates to create a holistic workout experience unlike any other. However, with the pandemic, we’ve had many conversations with our cyclers who need to get their cycling workouts in, but are unable to make it into an in-class session.
That’s why, in this blog, we’re going to be focusing on how you can get the Re:Gen spin cycle experience from the comfort of your own home.
Keep reading to learn more.
Step One: Get Yourself Set Up
When it comes to spinning at home, you have two main options — getting an in-home cycling set up or replicating a spin cycle class as you ride outdoors. If you’d like to get set up indoors here’s what you’ll need to do.
First, you need your indoor bike. Of course, we can’t recommend the big names enough, however not everyone can (or wants to) spend that much money to get themselves a spin cycle. If this is the case, you can actually use an outdoor bike inside! You’ll just need to get yourself an indoor bike trainer or bike rollers that allow you to set up indoors. Then, we recommend taking some time to truly set your indoor space up to feel like a spin class — lay a mat under your bike and in front of your screen. Give yourself enough space surrounding your bike so you can stay focused on getting the most out of your workout while focusing on your class.
Then, you need your class! Fortunately, in this incredible time you can find a variety of workouts. From DVD classes to YouTube, content subscriptions, and even at-home workouts designed for you, the main factors to consider what is best for you and your body as well as what you can afford.
If you’re going to be replicating a cycling class outside, simply make sure you have your bike with all the proper safety gear. Then, to replicate the pacing of a class, you can do a few things. If you’re able to ride safely in an area with numerous hills, this can vary the intensity in the same way that a spin class does. Additionally, you can personally increase the intensity at which you ride for intervals of 30 seconds or so to achieve a similar pacing and intensity to a spin class.
Then, before you move on, make sure you’re well hydrated and that you have water for during your workout.
Step Two: Have Scheduled Times/Days of Working Out
A primary reason why many people love working out in a class setting is that you have a scheduled time to work out and an instructor who helps you stay accountable to your routine. Working out, as with many things in life, is most effective when it’s routine.
So, if you’re going to be working out from home make sure that you have a scheduled time to be working out on specific days of the week. You can do anything from Tuesdays and Thursdays to Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, to even six out of seven days per week. It all depends on your preferences and athletic ability.
The same goes for biking outdoors — be sure to make your spin cycle bike rides an intentional part of your weekly schedule to make them more effective and consistent.
We also highly recommend connecting with your trainers at Re:Gen to talk at-home options. From simple guidance to detailed regiments designed for your athletic needs, our experts will do whatever they can to help keep you on track with your fitness goals. And when it comes to spin, it’s best to talk with your instructor while you’re structuring your workout plan because they will be able to ensure that you’re working at an intensity that pushes you but isn’t harmful. Plus, they’ll be able to help you set your goals and milestones where you ramp up your intensity.
Step Three: Working Out And Sticking To Your Plan
This final step can definitely be the most difficult when it comes to successfully workout from home. However, if you follow the previous two steps, chances are you’ll be in great shape (pun intended)! With the proper setup and a detailed plan, it’s much easier to stay committed to your workout regiment and get the most out of your time cycling.
Now, if you don’t have a trainer to consult with, here are a few things to consider while you’re actually working out. First, make sure your bike is correctly set up — this goes for indoor and outdoor bikes. You want to ensure that the seat is at the proper height so you can bike efficiently and safely.
Next, ensure that your bike’s resistance is properly adjusted. You don’t want to add too much resistance, however if you ride with no resistance you’ll be pedaling too fast. Not only will it be dangerous, but it’s also much less effective than pedaling at a steady pace with the proper resistance. When it comes to outdoor bikes, you can adjust the resistance by changing the gear layout you’re riding in. For spin cycle bikes, adjust your bike based on the manufacturer’s instructions.
Finally, make sure you always use good form while riding your bike, both inside and outside. As with any workout, using the correct form is both essential for the effectiveness of the workout as well as your overall safety. If you’re riding solo, it may be difficult to keep proper tabs on your form as you ride. This is the benefit of virtual and remote cycling courses — with an instructor, you’re constantly getting reminders about your form, keeping it in the foreground of your mind.
If you don’t have access to an instructor, try to find a partner to keep an eye on your form as you workout (and you can do the same for them). And if you’re on your own, just be extra cognizant of how your body is positioned as you ride.
If you’re interested in learning more tips and tricks that make working out from home accessible and easy, check out our previous blog.
Spin Cycling Classes At Re:Gen
We hope that this blog has helped you understand how you can get the most out of your time spent at home and implement spin cycling into your daily life. At Re:Gen, we’re dedicated to helping people reach their athletic goals and physical potential through holistic, personable instruction.
We’re excited to see you back at our 55-min spin classes that incorporate the principles of pilates to offer a unique and exciting workout program! But until then, we hope you stay in touch. Be sure to reach out if you have any questions about our facilities and the classes we’re offering, or if you’d like to discuss how to get a quality spin workout from home please contact us today!
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