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Soon after joining my local health club late last summer, I began to look for an appropriate cardio workout to help me shed some excess weight that added up over the last few years. My goal was to find something lower impact that I’d enjoy and stay with. At the same time, I knew that my high impact style from 20 years ago was a thing of the past. While I can still jog and climb the Stairmaster, it was important to seek out a lower impact alternative.

A very important consideration for my workout routine was, very frankly, not to hate it! After years of bone jarring jogging and climbing Stairmasters, I knew I could go back to those routines, but I wouldn’t stay with them long term. Yet, it was important to burn fat, develop and maintain cardiovascular fitness, and hopefully enjoy myself at the same time.

A short time after joining the health club, I began to notice the various aerobic class options. Some were as I remembered, while others were more intriguing. One type of class that caught my attention was an indoor cycling class. Although I’ve never been much of a bike rider, I did notice the folks who exited the spin class had gone through a challenging workout and were actually smiling as they exited!

The next day, I participated in my very first indoor cycling class. The instructor referred to the class as spin class and announced it to be one hour in duration. Truth be told, that hour flew by. I found the spin class to be challenging, enjoyable, and a very efficient cardio workout. Best of all, months later spin classes are an important part of my fitness routine. I’ve stuck with them, as they are low impact and actually an enjoyable way to spend an hour.

Although I just recently discovered spin classes, they’ve been around for a number of years. What I particularly enjoy is that they are appropriate for all levels of fitness and all ages. In a class I regularly attend, we have students ranging in age from teenager to senior citizens. The lack of impact is also a relief on the joints, and the cardio workout is challenging and efficient. Our instructor tells us that depending on our exertion level, we can expect to burn several hundred calories per class.

Most spin classes are one hour in duration, offering plenty of time to warm up and reach what my instructer calls the “fat burning zone”. Heart rate monitors are available, which allow participants to see how hard they’re working. A good instructor will explain the nuances of a typical class, as well as helping newer participants become acclimated.

You’ll be cycling on a specially formatted stationary bike, known as a spin bike. Before class you’ll be able to adjust the bike according to your height and comfort level. And just like other aerobic classes, you’ll be working out along with music, which the instructor usually records and matches up with the workout.

During my first few spin classes, I found it particularly helpful to be able to work at my own pace and not feel out of place compared to more experienced participants. In fact, spin instructors are specifically trained to emphasize this point. The instructor wants to motivate participants to challenge themselves and improve, but not to the point of overexertion.

All in all, spin classes have proven to be a very effective part of my workout routine. Even two classes per week have given me a significantly greater fitness level and loss of weight. Combined with other forms of exercise like moderate resistance training, indoor cycling classes can help you reach your desired level of fitness. Don’t be afraid to try a spin class at your local health club.