Getting Into the Spin of Things

With summer winding down, I can't let myself go to pot just because for the most part, I hate any exercise requiring me to venture outdoors when the temperature dips below 65. So every fall I'm faced with the same dilemma. How do I stay in shape all winter?

This white girl can't dance so aerobics classes are out.  I only do pilates and yoga in the privacy of my own home because I can't bear the thought of having to stare at my toes sans pedicure while others, in train-wreck-pose, are forced to witness the horror of my belly swinging side to side while I'm trying to feign downward dog pose.

Sure, I could walk down the two flights of stairs to my basement and workout to exercise tapes, hop on my rollers or pick up some hand weights. But then I'd have no where to hang dry my hand washables. So I go to Spinning classes. For those of you not in the know, Spinning classes take place in a room filled with stationary bikes and are conducted in the dark with blaring music. No one "looks." No one can look. And no one cares. I know no one cares in yoga and pilates classes either, but I care. I do not have to witness lava-like belly flow trying to escape my body on its way toward a yoga mat, sitting on my spin bike.

Because you control the tension on the bike, you can take it easy when you're tired and you can work harder when you want to. No coordination required. I'm there. Why? Because you burn a whole lotta calories in a short amount of time. Though results vary from person to person, research shows the average number of calories burned in a 40 minute spin class is about 500. That's two whole candy bars, a double portion of ice-cream, two slices of pizza or an entire cheeseburger for 40 minutes of high intensity fun! Okay, so it's not always fun. But it's mostly always fun. And I always feel great when I'm done.

Check out Holly McCord, RD's article on Spinning classes in Prevention magazine here.