Spinning has become a fitness phenomenon, and with excellent reason! Those who incorporate spinning into their workout routine report such impressive results as burning as much as 500 calories per half-hour spent on the spinning cycle, as well as toned legs and improved cardiovascular health. Here are 10 ways in which taking a spinning class can help you reach your fitness goals – although there are doubtlessly many more:

  1. Burn those calories! As already mentioned, a 30-minute workout on a spinning cycle can burn as many as 500 calories. Longer workouts – from 50 to 60 minutes duration, for example – can burn from 800 to 1,000 calories.
  2. Cardiovascular health. Spinning is basically an anaerobic exercise, pulling energy from your reserves and building up your muscular endurance. But spinning also provides aerobic benefits. Spinning classes include both endurance and cardiovascular training during the session, because you will need to break your steady pace and speed up to increase your heart rate at several points throughout.
  3. Progress at your own pace. You can control the amount of resistance on the bike, allowing you to begin spinning at minimal resistance, and increasing it as you gain muscle strength. Being able to complete a spinning class – especially at the beginning – encourages you to stay with it and gradually challenge yourself by adding more resistance.
  4. Your workout seems to go faster. Spinning supports the adage that time flies when you’re having fun.
  5. Low impact – high benefits. Because spinning doesn’t put pressure on the knees or feet, it’s an ideal cardio workout for those who can’t use a treadmill or elliptical.
  6. Toned-up legs. Well-toned legs improve your physical appearance. Three spinning workouts a week will produce noticeable results as the large muscle groups in your legs become stronger and better defined.
  7. You eventually won’t “hit the wall” so soon. Spinning helps build physical endurance, enabling you to work out longer. You’ll have more energy as your body operates more efficiently.
  8. Work those abs! Spinning involves more than the legs, as your upper body rhythm also involves the central abdominal muscles, and the muscles along the side of your abs.
  9. It’s a group effort. Joining a spinning class will encourage you to do your best, as you’ll be working out with those who have a common goal.
  10. Improve your outlook. The dedication you bring to spinning and the rewards you gain with an improved level of fitness help to give you increased confidence and a feeling of being more in control of your life!