Want to give spinning a try but worried you’ll make a fool of yourself? Fear not, as you’re definitely not alone.
Spinning - and particularly spinning to music - has become one of the coolest classes to sign up for in recent years and while the initiated gym girlies make it look easy the more nervous among us have a few questions.
What do you wear? What if you've not seen the inside of a gym in years? Will you make a show of yourself if you can't find the beat? Okay, we might be overthinkers but that considered, EVOKE asked Denise Goff, who teaches spin at Perpetua in Dublin, the silly questions so you don’t have to...
What is spinning?
Denise explained that spinning, or Rhythm Ride as it's called at Perpetua, is ‘a full body workout on the bike’ where you pedal standing up and sitting down with a small arms workout using weights thrown in for good measure. Okay, so far so good - we like the sound of getting our workout done in one go!
She explained: ‘We move to the beat of the music so it's always good for people who love music or people who have dance experience.
‘Rhythm is led by emotion unlike the normal cycling or spin classes, such as the RIDE45 concept we have here. RIDE45 is hooked up to the TV and everyone can see the stats. It's more intense.’
What should you wear?
Gym gear is preferable, perhaps obviously, but is there anything in particular Denise would recommend?
Denise said: ’A hard sole shoe is better for foot placement on the pedals but there’s nothing particular really outfit-wise, just whatever you feel good in, something nice and comfy.
‘It can get hot and sweaty so maybe it's best not to come with a full face of makeup on. The only thing I say to not wear would be wider yoga pants as your legs will be moving lots on the bike.'
Do you need to have rhythm?
Sounds silly, but we promised we’d ask the stupid questions! Ever polite, Denise said: ‘You’ll definitely learn as you go and we give leads as well.
‘We'll tell you which leg to be on or we'll give a few pointers on how to catch the beat. The first few classes we recommend staying in the saddle and finding the beat, there’s no rush in here.’
If you’re still worried that you’ll embarrass yourself with a lack of rhythm, it took Denise six months to be confident in finding the beat and she’s got a dance background!
‘I'm always saying I should have known the beat, I could hear it I just couldn't hit it [on the bike] but it's a different skill completely,’ Denise said. ‘Find the beat and then as soon as you're comfortable, stand up in the saddle and then keep adding on the layers.’
What happens on your first visit?
When you get to reception the front of the gym staff will remind you of the number bike that you were given when you booked a place in the class.
Then when you come into the studio you'll grab weights from the buckets by the door after the instructor meets you in the corridor. They'll let you know which weights you need.
While everyone is coming in and setting up their bikes, the instructor will ask if anyone is new and help adjust the bike to the correct settings. It’s all very chill and they’re more than happy to help.
Once everyone's set up and the studio door closes, the lights go down and the music starts.
Where in the class should beginners book a bike?
‘We always recommend that first-timers pick the back few rows because you can follow the people in front who come all the time, you can watch from behind as well as learn from the hive,’ Denise said.
Any expert tips for first-timers?
Spinning is a skill and it will take you some time to get good at it - so be patient with yourself!
Denise and Perpetua director and head coach Eoghan McGregor agree that riders need to be ‘open’ and ‘give themselves grace’ when they start spinning.
Eoghan said: 'You may find the first class or couple of classes hard and be open to saying you will progress over time. Once you see improvement after the first few sessions, you're going to enjoy the classes even more.'
Denise added: ‘Give yourself grace. These kinds of classes are very non-judgmental. You don't have to be the best of the best on the first day. I certainly wasn't and now I'm teaching. Spinning is definitely something that you can learn.'
