Which is better? A Spinning Question

woodie · 05-05-05, 10:29 PM

I am thinking about gettig a spinning bike - I know, the bike thread is elsewhere! :-) What I wanted to ask was who is the better instructor - Johnny G or Spinervals? Are there others that are good? Is Spinervals user-friendly? I've only taken spinning clases and have never seriously cycled outside- honestly, I don't have the balance! So I don't know what the heck a big ring is!

I like good music while working out - any genre, really, as long as its upbeat. My favorite instructor played R&B early 90s stuff - the stuff I listened to whe I was in college and going to the club around that time - so it was great. It didn't hurt that he was easy on the eyes... but that's another story! :-)

The other thing I like about spinning is standing up and pedaling with your torso "over the horn". Love that - do any of the instructors utilize that technique?

Thanks for the info!

:-)

woodie

Vintage VFer · 05-06-05, 12:24 AM

Hi woodie, you might get more replies to your questions if you put the word "spinning" in the title. We have a lot of spinning fans and experts here at VF!

woodie · 05-06-05, 07:09 AM

Good idea! Thanks Alta!

:-)

woodie

just push play · 05-06-05, 07:15 AM

Hey Wood,
Never heard the term "over the horn" before so I hope someone elaborates. I take spinning in a club class setting and in there the instructors are always insisting that when standing you not lean too far forward over the bars. The idea is to get your butt back and just off the seat to really work the quads and butt muscles. When you lean too far forward the ride becomes much easier.
Anyone in here like all out standing sprints??!! Those are tough!!

KarenP · 05-06-05, 07:27 AM

Woodie, I've been taking spin classes for over 8 years and have never heard the term "over the horn". Please explain.

I spin at the gym so can't recommend any DVDs. I have seen a spinerval though, and if you're looking for a program with good music, I would suggest you steer clear of those. The music is very bland and is put on AFTER the program has been filmed. This means that there is no attempt to match the BPM of the music with your pedaling cadence. On later spinervals, there is -- thankfully -- a "music off option" which allows you to use your own music track.

Kyra · 05-06-05, 07:35 AM

I think if I got a spin bike, I'd just do my own routines to my own music. I'm used to spinning at the gym and really enjoy it when the instructor does a good job matching music with the ride - I mean, that is my idea of choreography - lol! I obviously haven't tried Johnny G or Spinervals, and don't know to what extent I would given the chance. I'd probably get Tough Love b/c it's supposed to be so darn tough; as for the rest, eh, probably just me and my own tunes. YMMV!!

As for the phrase over the horn - I'm only guessing that means over the front part of the saddle. On a western (horse) riding saddle, there's a horn at the front.

MARIKA · 05-06-05, 09:03 AM

I have tried both. If your relatively new I would go with Johnny G, they have better music if that's what your into. I luv the Spinervals, my new addiction. They are tough!! More of a serios training type workout.

Kimberly33 · 05-06-05, 09:36 AM

I agree with the others that if music is important to you, you don't want Spinervals.

I have a Johnny G tape, but I haven't looked at it (the shame!), but the Cycle Reebock (Robert Sherman?) one is good, the Jay Blahnik is supposed to be good, and Mindy Mylrea's is fun. So you have a few non-Spinervals choices.

The Spinervals workouts are designed primarily for cyclists and triathletes who are training inside, so they're less focused on the music and more focused on particular performance goals. They're fun because they're hard, but the music is not particularly motivating, and they aren't choreographed to the music at all. AND, I'm in one, so I'm sure I'm biased.

Peggy T · 05-06-05, 10:54 AM

I am using Cardio Coach CD's as my spinning workout and I LOVE them!!
I can still lhear the baseball game while I spin.

gettingstrong · 05-06-05, 02:58 PM

I am looking at the spin bikes too. I have spent WAY to much time searching this forum on my stupid dial up connection (dsl next week YAY!) for bike recommendations, etc. I wonder if we couldn't have an "everything spinning" section?

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05-05-05, 10:29 PM
woodie Join Date: Mar 2005	Which is better? A Spinning Question I am thinking about gettig a spinning bike - I know, the bike thread is elsewhere! :-) What I wanted to ask was who is the better instructor - Johnny G or Spinervals? Are there others that are good? Is Spinervals user-friendly? I've only taken spinning clases and have never seriously cycled outside- honestly, I don't have the balance! So I don't know what the heck a big ring is! I like good music while working out - any genre, really, as long as its upbeat. My favorite instructor played R&B early 90s stuff - the stuff I listened to whe I was in college and going to the club around that time - so it was great. It didn't hurt that he was easy on the eyes... but that's another story! :-) The other thing I like about spinning is standing up and pedaling with your torso "over the horn". Love that - do any of the instructors utilize that technique? Thanks for the info! :-) woodie __________________ "Every day is a good day!" New Butisattva woodie

05-06-05, 12:24 AM
Vintage VFer VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001	Hi woodie, you might get more replies to your questions if you put the word "spinning" in the title. We have a lot of spinning fans and experts here at VF! __________________ Goal:250 / Done:91 POSTURE CHECK!

05-06-05, 07:09 AM
woodie Join Date: Mar 2005	Good idea! Thanks Alta! :-) woodie __________________ "Every day is a good day!" New Butisattva woodie

05-06-05, 07:15 AM
just push play Join Date: Feb 2005	Hey Wood, Never heard the term "over the horn" before so I hope someone elaborates. I take spinning in a club class setting and in there the instructors are always insisting that when standing you not lean too far forward over the bars. The idea is to get your butt back and just off the seat to really work the quads and butt muscles. When you lean too far forward the ride becomes much easier. Anyone in here like all out standing sprints??!! Those are tough!!

05-06-05, 07:27 AM
KarenP VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Milky Way Galaxy	Woodie, I've been taking spin classes for over 8 years and have never heard the term "over the horn". Please explain. I spin at the gym so can't recommend any DVDs. I have seen a spinerval though, and if you're looking for a program with good music, I would suggest you steer clear of those. The music is very bland and is put on AFTER the program has been filmed. This means that there is no attempt to match the BPM of the music with your pedaling cadence. On later spinervals, there is -- thankfully -- a "music off option" which allows you to use your own music track. __________________ Cheers, Karen QUIT SLOUCHING!!!

05-06-05, 07:35 AM
Kyra Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: South Jersey	I think if I got a spin bike, I'd just do my own routines to my own music. I'm used to spinning at the gym and really enjoy it when the instructor does a good job matching music with the ride - I mean, that is my idea of choreography - lol! I obviously haven't tried Johnny G or Spinervals, and don't know to what extent I would given the chance. I'd probably get Tough Love b/c it's supposed to be so darn tough; as for the rest, eh, probably just me and my own tunes. YMMV!! As for the phrase over the horn - I'm only guessing that means over the front part of the saddle. On a western (horse) riding saddle, there's a horn at the front. __________________ The Grim Reaper catches us all. But when he catches me the son-of-a-bitch is going to be hunched over, wheezing and gasping for breath! Certified Bulletproof Athlete

05-06-05, 09:03 AM
MARIKA Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Cocoa Beach	I have tried both. If your relatively new I would go with Johnny G, they have better music if that's what your into. I luv the Spinervals, my new addiction. They are tough!! More of a serios training type workout.

05-06-05, 09:36 AM
Kimberly33 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Upstate, NY	I agree with the others that if music is important to you, you don't want Spinervals. I have a Johnny G tape, but I haven't looked at it (the shame!), but the Cycle Reebock (Robert Sherman?) one is good, the Jay Blahnik is supposed to be good, and Mindy Mylrea's is fun. So you have a few non-Spinervals choices. The Spinervals workouts are designed primarily for cyclists and triathletes who are training inside, so they're less focused on the music and more focused on particular performance goals. They're fun because they're hard, but the music is not particularly motivating, and they aren't choreographed to the music at all. AND, I'm in one, so I'm sure I'm biased. __________________ Kimberly33 Philosopher Queen Video Slave Set the gearshift for the high gear of your soul You've got to run like an antelope, out of control. (Phish) Can't control the kittens! Too many whiskers. Too many whiskers (Sleep Talkin' Man)

05-06-05, 10:54 AM
Peggy T VF Supporter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Virginia	I am using Cardio Coach CD's as my spinning workout and I LOVE them!! I can still lhear the baseball game while I spin. __________________ Peg If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. -Will Rogers

05-06-05, 02:58 PM
gettingstrong Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: ga	I am looking at the spin bikes too. I have spent WAY to much time searching this forum on my stupid dial up connection (dsl next week YAY!) for bike recommendations, etc. I wonder if we couldn't have an "everything spinning" section?