Spring is the season of renewal and new beginnings. Why not take this opportunity to try a new sport? The energy of spring can help us get moving towards a more dynamic and healthier lifestyle.
After my injury, I spent years searching for a sport that is gentle on the knees and is enjoyable. For me, running without chasing a ball was never an option. I tried badminton, because – since it is not a contact sport – I would manage it, but I quickly realized that without an ACL, it wasn’t going to work. I went kayaking several times, I tried pilates and TRX, but neither of them stuck around for a long time in my life. Pilates, let’s just say, wasn’t my cup of tea; it requires a very different movement than what a footballer is used to. I gave up kayaking after 3-4 times, because I kept ending up in the reeds among swans – not ideal for bird phobics. Then one of my friends dragged me to a spinning class. Although it will never replace football in my life, I ended up loving it, and I’ve been going every week for two years.
Spinning is a group indoor cycling workout with music. It was invented in the 1980s by Johnny G (Jonathan Goldberg), an American marathonist and cyclist. The goal of the workout is to improve endurance, strength, and cardiovascular capacity using a special stationary bike with adjustable resistance. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cyclist, you can go at your own pace, and after 2-3 sessions, you really start to get into it.
If you think it’s just monotonous pedalling in one place, let me introduce you to a few keywords: flat, hill, run, jump!
During the workout, we simulate various terrains. On flats we ride with lighter resistance, on hills we ride with heavier resistance, running is pedalling in a standing position, and during jumps, we alternate between seated and standing positions in a specific rhythm, like every 4, 8, or 16 beats. Sometimes I get caught up in the flow, swept away by the pulsing music and vibrant lights, and I imagine myself riding through the breathtaking routes of the Giro d’Italia — pushing through a steep climb or flying down a fast descent.
I’ll admit though, that I often look forward to the applause at the end, because we always applaud each other at the end of the class. Even though the last minutes feel endless, I always get off the bike feeling recharged and more energetic. Also, there’s another not-so-minor detail: around 80% of people who go to spinning classes are women 🙂
All in all, no, you won’t be going anywhere, but real progress happens on the inside. Your endurance improves, your everyday worries fade, and spinning becomes not only an effective fat-burning and endurance workout, but also a shared experience, with motivating beats and inspiring instructors.
Translated by Vivi
