Understanding some of the science behind spinning !

We know we feel better after spinning. If we are regular, we start seeing the changes in our body. But why?

Well, to understand it better, we decided to share with you a little of the science behind it all.

Aghhh… science??! Don’t worry, it is really interesting, and I promise, the next time you are on the bike, you will want to crank it up a little more !

Starting with the basics

When we push hard and work our muscles, they break down. The body reacts to this process by rebuilding them bigger and stronger than they were before.

If we want to get better at a sport or improve our training, we need to build more efficient muscles. To do this, we need to push them harder than they are used to working… in other words, we ‘overload’ them beyond their comfort zones.

The post-spinning ‘recovery’ period

The body requires a lot of energy to rebuild the muscles. After a big Spinbreak workout, our body will work harder than normal for a couple of days- burning more calories as it refuels and repairs. This is why consistent spinning will help to increase your normal rate of metabolism.

But why do we feel we get more out of spinning than other sports?

It is simple- the muscles we work during a cycling program are the largest in the body. We also work multiple ones at the same time.

The bigger the muscles worked, and the more muscle groups used, the larger the effect on the metabolism. That leads to the good news: the more calories burned! Not just during the workout, but in the hours and days after it… Remember: the body takes time to repair and build new muscle.

What muscles are we using?

The main muscle groups used are: the quads, the gluts, the calves, and the core: these are amongst the largest and strongest muscles in the body. Add to this the hamstrings and our core stabilizers, and you have a very active workout.

I want one more layer of detail!

Good! Remember that we “overload” muscles to build them. Spinning takes it a step further than the average sport, because it manages this overload in a very dynamic way: each class is full of different moves and sequences which consistently work lots of different muscles.

For example, during a super-slow, you crank up the resistance for a long, steep climb during which you move to a more anaerobic heart rate, and your fast-twitch muscles fibres (those quick to get tired) get a special workout- which helps you develop fast action advantage- important if you suddenly need to sprint.

Once at the top of the ‘hill’, you release the resistance and pedal faster. At this point, you drop back into an aerobic-level heart rate, and your slow-twitch muscle fibers (those which are slower to get tired) get developed, which helps develop your endurance, allowing you to go further without getting so tired.

All this, while at the same time, pushing your cardio vascular system to healthy new levels!

A couple of classes a week will guarantee you results in terms of fat loss and will increase your leg and core strength… as well as help you see huge improvements in your levels of cardio.

Indoor Cycling at Spinbreak isn’t just about having a fun time; now you know PART of the reason you feel so great! Book your next session- and crank it up each time you come J

Burnt calories and benefits through the day.

We are regularly asked about how much calories we loose during an indoor cycling session. Even thought the answer is quite impressive (between 500 et 800 calories), how can you know if you’re closer from 500 or 800 and also why is the such a gap between the results ?

Well, it depends on several factors such as your hearth rate will resting, your weight, your metabolism and the duration and the type of session you’re following. But what it really means is that everyone is different and it mostly depends on your personnal effort during the workout.

If you give 85/95% of yourself, you can burn up to 600 or 700 calories during a session. But you have work hard for it which means putting enough resistance.

However, the amount of calories you burn shouldn’t be your main concern. If you follow the coachs’ advices a mecanism in your body will start after the workout. It is called « Excessive Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption » or EPOC.

EPOC just means our body requires more oxygene than it usually does in a normal day. As a consequence, our metabolism goes faster and this is when real results appear.

So, even if you « only » burnt 400 calories during the session, this number can easily double during the day. So if you keep following the coachs’ advices results will appear for sure.

Indoor Cycling stays one of the funiest and the most effective methods. The benefits of indoor cycling don’t only depends on the number of calories you burn. The well being feeling after the workout, the mental and physical strenght you build and the energy you’re filled up with when you leave are the most important benefits.

Benefits of practicing sport regularly !

When we start on our goal of getting healthy, its great to create a regular time to do sport. It’s like a date with your body: you know you are going to do it each week at a certain time. Regularity helps build healthy routines.

Benefits of practicing regularly:

When you start practicing Indoor Cycling, you start feeling a lot of positive changes. One of the first is a better sleep, happier mood and a more focused mind. But this is just the beginning!

How often and for what results?

If you’re not used to exercising, you should start by creating the time/space to practice once a week. After a few days you will notice that you start feeling better. Your cardio and your mood will both get better.

When you have established your routine, and you start seeing your results, add an extra workout to your week. As soon as you do this, the benefits will multiply exponentially. You will see changes upon your body, your motivation and your health. At 3 workouts per week, you won’t recognize yourself! There’s a reason why successful professionals include daily workouts into their routines; the results on the body, mind and productivity speak for themselves!

Benefits on your Mind:

Have a mental clear out! Sport helps you create a space where you get away from the day-to-day stresses and pressures. By focusing on the effort, you are get out of the mental, which gives you a much needed break, and provides time to replenish and get creative.

In addition, group fitness classes like indoor cycling, helps build your self-confidence and enjoyment of the group social environment. It clearly works in Spinbreak classes! There is a fantastic energy when everyone is pedaling on the rhythm to fun music, fully in the physical effort, releasing a whoop and a shout when you are pushing yourself through an effort.

Next time, try it yourself! Don’t be shy, your coaches will join in with you too !

Benefits on your health:

The power of regular indoor cycling is most visible in the long-term.

Besides not having impact on your joints, indoor cycling increases your bone resistance and helps preventing diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. You also greatly develop your lung capacity, and your cardio levels will keep improving- to the point where effort and recovery are fully under your control.

As a result you will enjoy Spinbreak even more as you will be able to focus on and enjoy the music !

To summarise :

Exercising on a daily basis brings some kind of ritual to your life and makes it easier to modify your habits, your body and your mind. Spinbreak also offers you the opportunity to combine work and sport. After a session with us, you’ll go back to work FULL of energy!

No excuses, improve your routine and start your change now!