Hi, this is Debbie Boyles, coach at Mojo for Running.

Today's podcast is titled Spinning for Runners.

Have you ever taken a spinning class?

If you haven't, I suggest you try it.

It will do wonders for your running, and you just might enjoy it.

At the very least, count on being challenged and burning lots of calories.

You've probably heard of spinning. But maybe you've never attended a class and don't really

get the difference between going for a bike ride and spinning. Well, the difference is greater

for some than others, but besides the fact that they both involve cycling,

they're really quite different. Spinning, as you probably already know, is an exercise performed

on specially designed spinning bikes, indoors, usually in a group with music, and led by a

motivational instructor who chooses music specifically chosen for the class.

Classes normally last for 45 minutes to an hour, but at some gyms there are hardcore spinners

who take two or even three classes in a row. Yeah, three. Oh, one more thing. It's generally

quite intense.

So if you're comparing it to a leisurely bike ride around the neighborhood, think again.

It's more like a strenuous, high-speed 20-25-mile ride on varying terrain.

Spinning has been popular for years.

I first tried it several years ago, well, probably more like 10 or 11 years ago.

At the time, my husband and I frequently rode our mountain bikes for two hours or more on off-road trails.

We thought we were working hard.

It seemed like it, and my significant hamstrings and quads were impressive proof.

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