Spinning® bikes are the equipment used for a popular form of indoor exercise developed in the 1980s in California. These stationary bikes are built to handle different seated and standing cycling positions, and can be adjusted to simulate a variety of bicycling conditions through different resistance settings. Spinning® bikes are now commonly found in health clubs and gyms, as well as homes around the world.
Spinning® classes are usually cycling exercises set to music, and can range from a light cardiovascular workout to an intense session that can burn as many as 600 calories an hour. A Spinning® instructor guides the class through a routine of fast and slow moves, including flat cycling, standing up on the pedals for a fast “run,” raising up and down in the seat while pedaling, and leaning from side to side. Spinning® bikes develop the muscles of the upper and outer thighs while providing a solid cardio workout.
Spinning® bikes are designed to adjust completely to the rider’s body, so the body works efficiently and the cyclist is not injured during the workout. The seat can be tilted to a comfortable angle that gives proper support, while the seat can also be raised or lowered so the rider’s legs are fully extended when the pedals are at the lowest point. Handlebars can be adjusted up or down or at a different angle and the seat can be moved closer or farther from the handles. The pedals of Spinning® bikes are furnished with adjustable straps or clips that secure the rider’s feet when doing circular moves. A Spinning® instructor can help a new cyclist adjust the bike properly at the beginning of a class.
Basic Spinning® bikes for the home are priced at $500 US Dollars (USD) and up, and feature resistance, seat, and handlebar adjustments in a lightweight, compact model. Commercial-use bikes are more durable, sturdier and often larger; a basic commercial model costs about $1,000 USD. High-end bikes for the home and gym may include special features like an adjustable fan, an MP3 player jack, a video screen with programmable workouts and scenery, and heart rate and caloric burn displays.
There are many outlets for purchasing trademarked Spinning® bikes and other brands. Health clubs can often get a wholesale discount from a supplier by buying several bikes at once. Home bikes can be found through online suppliers, sports stores, secondhand shops, or used sporting goods ads.
