In spinning, the lower body area is mainly worked, that is, the leg muscles, but we must not forget that the middle area and the arms, which also have their share of strength work when contracting with the pedaling movement. On the other hand, it offers the possibility of team training, a formula that enhances the idea of belonging and strengthens social ties.
“One of the greatest virtues of pedaling is that it increases people’s oxygen volume capacity, strengthening them both physically and immunologically,” says Ramiro Velasco, Master Coach of Evolution Cycle.
The classes usually last between 45 and 55 minutes, and are given in spaces decorated with colored lights that change their tones.
In the classes, the positions oscillate between being supported on the handlebars, standing or sitting in a traditional way and consist of three instances:
- a warm-up;
- a main job that combines position changes alternating speed exercises with others of strength;
- and a final elongation.
This activity invites you to disconnect to connect with yourself on an emotional and physical level, “because on the bike you not only train, but you also unload, energy is released, there is no possibility of distraction with anything or anyone”says Velasco.
Photo: ZNAK.
Music is a key factor in this training, to motivate and generate emotional well-being, which allows you to forget about everything and focus on the present moment.
“Beyond the fact that we train in a closed environment, I encourage people to visualize a landscape, to think about where they are going, to imagine who they are with”Velasco explains.
benefits of team training
According to Jessica Escalante, Marketing and Commercial Manager at RockCycle, a chain of indoor cycling gyms, this creates a sense of belonging and community, strengthens and creates bonds. “All of them motivate each other, push each other to continue, applaud each other and share their achievements. Beyond the fact that the connection generated by pedaling is internal and personal, there is also a very strong connection with other people who follow paths similar to their own, with common searches”.
Recently, bicycles with interactive screens have been created that offer a variety of guided training programs, as well as music, videos, and even the option to configure a landscape.
Photo: Cicloindoor
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When and how did this discipline originate?
It was 1987 and Johnny Goldberg, a cyclist from California who was a fan of racing and challenge, was preparing to cross the country from end to end, that is, from west to east on a bicycle. However, due to the adversities of the weather, there were times when he could not go out, so he decided to change his method so as not to stay a single day without exercising. This is how he got down to work and with a share of creativity, he made some changes to his much loved bike to transform it into a stationary mounted on a stand. In this system he found that he could have a type of training very similar to that of the street.
Photo: @johnnygmethod.
First he called himself a spinner, it caused a furor among his friends and colleagues who little by little joined his pedaling sessions, so he had to set up a space in the garage of his house to train all together, and he added background music.
In 1995, it manufactured the first stationary bicycles and patented its workouts that are now known as spinning. His growth and novelty was such that different gyms began to buy and incorporate his programs, expanding to the whole world. In Argentina it arrived in 1998 and since then, the different training centers have adopted this activity.
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Goldberg, coming from a family that practiced the Buddhist religion, was based on this ideology to add to spinning, the emotional part. Thus he encouraged people to focus on the movements and dynamics of pedaling, bringing the mind to the present.
What is the benefit of spinning?
- Being an aerobic type of work, it helps to lose weight and reduce body fat. However, to be effective, specialists recommend doing it three to four times a week.
- As it is an activity that combines strength, it helps define the muscles, especially those of the legs. However, it also exercises the middle zone, that is, the part of the abdominals and arms, since they contract as a result of pedaling.
- It is ideal for recovering and avoiding injuries because it is an activity that has no impact.
- It releases stress, tension and anxiety, and generates an increase in confidence and personal security, since the speed of pedaling makes people feel invincible.
- It encourages disconnecting to connect with oneself. It is a space where the cell phone is left aside. In addition, music brings calm and enjoyment to the mind, and allows you to forget about the responsibilities and worries of the day.
- Improves body coordination. One of the advantages of cycling with background music is that it encourages the person to move to the rhythm of the melody.
Source: The Nation.