Craig Ballantyne,
Had an email yesterday from a reader asking what I
thought about spinning.
Well, the truth is, I'm not a big fan of the spinning
scene.
I know there are better ways to lose fat and spend
your workout time.
First of all, spinning classes are not efficient. I
know that you can get more work done in less time if you do intervals on your own. And so, because
it is not efficient, it could also be a lot more effective.
Second, the high RPM "spinning" is pointless. That's
not doing anything for fat loss. And I've talked to more than one woman that complained about her
hips being sore after spinning at 150 RPM in a class.
Why is the high RPM spinning ineffective? Because the
amount of mechanical work performed is lower than when you have higher tension and pedal at a
slower rate (i.e. 80 RPM). So cut the high RPM spinning out, and just do the high tension
intervals. You'll save time and get the same or better results.
The high-tension, low/moderate RPM intervals are the
only part of the spinning class worth doing.
More tension = more turbulence = more fat loss
results.
It's a very simple equation.
But again, you can do those high-tension intervals on
your own in less than half the time of a regular spinning class.
Regular spinning class = about 45
minutes
Advanced structured
intervals workout = About 20 minutes
Time saved = 25
minutes - Which is more than enough time to get some strength training supersets in to build muscle
and really crank up your metabolism. Now that's a better, more well rounded workout that will help
you make bigger improvements to your body.
A combination of
strength and interval training is the clear winner- accomplishing more (muscle building and fat
loss) than any type of spinning class, aerobics class, or circuit training
workout. Now if some people need the whole class environment as a motivation to workout,
fine. Or if that's one of your fun workouts per week, then go for it. You can keep going to
spinning if you like it.
But if you think that
spinning classes are the most efficient answer to your fat loss goals, forget about
it. When you need to get fat loss results in less time, the combination strength and
intervals are more efficeint and effective. Workouts specifically structured for
fat loss, such as the strength and interval workouts, are far more effective than random spinning
sessions.
Design the best fat
loss program for you and your time limits.
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