Exercise - Free Fitness Library
Spinning
"The body and mind do not change on their own, you are responsible to change yourself" - Johnny G, creator of Spinning*, world class triathlete, martial arts black belt and ultra-endurance cyclist.
Spinning is the latest fitness concept to grab attention. So what's it all about?
Step onto a Spinning bike, take hold of the handlebars and sit down
in the saddle.
Slide your feet into the clips and begin to pedal. The gears engage
the chain and the flywheel begins to spin. Effortlessly, without even
thinking about what you are doing, you are starting your Spinning session.
Carried away by the music and by your training partners you realise
only after a while that you are getting a great workout. Your heart
and lungs are pumping: You are Spinning and you feel great!
The Claims
"Spinning is a superaerobic workout concept combining high-cadence riding with performance visualisation in an aerobic class like environment. It's the perfect exercise for people who are looking for a more efficient and fun way to get into shape."
"Everyone can ride this bike... no special co-ordination is required. People at different fitness levels can workout together; unlike on a roadbike or running, no one can be dropped."
"Spinning is a high quality training concept. All instructors complete an intensive 9 month course of both practical and theoretical training to become fully certified Johnny G Spinning Instructor. These courses are supervised by the Spinning Group, of Santa Monica, California."
"Spinning not only defines the leg muscles but also the arm, shoulder, abdominals and even the neck muscles! Great music, breathing techniques, relaxation and visualisation are used to achieve maximum results. As Spinning is non-impact everything is possible without the wear and tear or burnout of other cardiovascular workouts."
So what's it really like? We asked instructor Cathy Pearce.
"Spinning is an outdoor biking experience indoors" I was told as I signed up to become an Instructor. I haven't had an outdoor biking experience (unless you count the pavement at 8 years of age) and I detest exercise bikes. I expected the Instructor course to be a mental and physical struggle - I was wrong. The experience was incredibly enjoyable and Spinning is now at the top of my aerobic-addiction list.
The classes where I teach at Bromley Health Lido are always fully booked (with waiting lists of people waiting to join in the experience). Spinning attracts people into a group experience situation that would never go on in an ordinary aerobic or step class because no special co-ordination is required."
Spinning has a widespread appeal, attracting people of all ages and fitness levels. Whether you are an athlete or a beginner you can successfully complete the same class together. There is no complicated choreography or brain teasing routines. The class frees your mind to focus on your technique, visualisation and success. The fixed bike enables you to develop skills and muscles that would be impossible to develop on the road - and you don't need to worry about the weather or traffic!
So, what happens in a 40 minute Spinning class?
The journey begins on an imaginary road. By adopting different positions
on the bike and varying the resistance you learn different spinning
techniques e.g. hill climbing, jumping, flat road, sprinting. Music
helps the mind visualise different stages in the journey e.g. classical
for a hill climb, rock and roll for jumps, fast track for sprinting.
The instructor then motivates and challenges the students to be the
best they can possibly be. A new road using different techniques and
music is used each time ensuring Spinning will always be a new experience.
Here are some of the quotes from Johnny G - the creator of Spinning:
"My aim is to motivate a human being to find the champion within"
"The ultimate workout - it's non-impact and what's more it's about
mental development. Spinning teaches that making dreams come true requires
effort so we put more resistance on the bike and push harder. We use
the bicycle as a tool to mobilise energy"
"It's a question of getting more out of what we've got - that's
what Spinning is all about" (Eds note: He's from South Africa but
you can tell he's at home in California!)
Four of the British Triathlon Team for the world championships from Hull, Lucy Jude, Eric Seedhouse, Nicola Morrow and Mark Robinson, had their final check ups for the event, which took place in Mexico between November 11th/12th where they came 24th out of 60 countries. The event had 2,000 athletes. The championship consisted of a mile for a sea swim, 40km bike race and 10km of running. All the four are from Hull and were delighted that a northern club could supply 4 members for the team, as most triathlon clubs are in the south or the midlands. (pic in post)
Ride through Israel
Have you ever wanted to take to the road on a bike but not know your
panniers from your punctures? In March, NCH Action for Children will
be presenting holiday makers with a wonderful and unusual opportunity;
spend a week cycling around historic Israel, visiting sites of religious
and spiritual significance to raise money for homeless young people
and those who have just left care.
NCH Action For Children has hundreds of ideas to help raise the minimum of £2,000 in sponsorship money asked of each participant. This will cover all transport and accommodation costs, as well as providing vital resources for the 27 projects Nationwide helping vulnerable young people. With over 150 people expected to take part, over 70% of money raised will go directly to these projects.
The charity will even provide 18-gear mountain bikes for participants once they arrive in Israel - all you need is enthusiasm for cycling through this historic country and a commitment to helping young people in need.
For further details contact Debbie Carlton on 0171 226 2033 (pic in post)
Fix Your Bike
What do you do, other than visit the bike shop when your bike needs
repairs? Haynes up come up with an essential 'get you out of trouble
kit'. Fix Your Bike is first aid for bicycles, it is the essential guide
for getting any cyclist home, whether on a mountain bike, road bike,
three speed or child bike. Complete with a puncture repair kit and tyre
levers, Fix Your Bike is a quick reference guide to all likely roadside
repairs giving step by step illustrated explanations which include:
Wheels, inner tube replacement, punctures
As you go - break, gear and comfort adjustments
Get-you-home solutions
Guide to on-trial mechanical faults
Falls, recovery and bike check cover.
Mountain Biking Facts
* The Sports Council lists mountain biking as the fastest growing participation
sport in the Country.
* The mountain bike industry is worth $4billion worldwide
* There are 26 million mountain bikers in the USA
* Out of every 3 bikes sold in the UK, 2 are mountain bikes
* This year mountain biking will become an Olympic event
* Mountain bikes are among the best selling sports equipment in the
world
* Three out of the Top 10 mountain bikers are British
* The European Gold Medallist for Cross Country Riding is British
Bike Buddy
The versatile Bike Buddy bicycle stand is ideal for parking the bike
at home, in the workplace or anywhere where secure storage facilities
are not available. Priced at £14.99 it is also a low-cost alternative
to a workstation to suit ally types and sizes of bicycle. It come complete
with two nylon-covered supporting hooks for easy positioning and is
ideal for on the spot bike repairs and cleaning.
Around 600,000 bicycles were stolen in 1994 and the Bike Buddy bicycle stand is not likely to deter anyone but an opportunitive thief. The Security Bolt, from the same company will be much more effective, priced at a reasonable £5.99, this wall mounting Security Bolt is supplied with two types of Rawplug for easy fitting and can be fixed firmly to any wall or even a traditional breeze-block type garage. This is suitable for use with most types of cycle locking systems.
These accessories are available through mail order only on 01582 573 066