Health & Happiness From Spin Class: Also Don’t Forget The Risks
Going For A Spin?
Spinning, also called indoor cycling has a range of physiological and psychological benefits. These include increased physical fitness, reduced blood cholesterol, improved brain health and enhanced response to stress. In fact, when performed correctly, spinning cycle may be more beneficial than ordinary cycling.
However, some studies have found that extreme exertion during spinning may lead to a serious condition called rhabdomyolysis. In rhabdomyolysis, the muscle tissue breaks and a protein from the damaged muscle leaks into the bloodstream.
A Quick Overview Of Spin Class
A Quick Overview Of Spin Class A spin class is a popular indoor cycling workout in which persons pedal a large heavy flywheel on a fixed bicycle. It is a type of high-intensity workout.
Unlike traditional or outdoor cycling, a spin class uses both upper and lower body. To make the workout more engaging, you may perform it while listening to your favorite music.
Typically, a spin class session lasts around 45-60 minutes. Because it is a high-intensity exercise, a sub one-hour session is sufficient for you to reap the benefits.
Fitness experts believe a single session of a spin class can burn anywhere from 400 to 600 or even more calories. Not to forget that the calorie loss depends on your weight, level of intensity and the amount of time you sit on the saddle.
Science-backed Health Benefits Of Spin Class: Weight Loss & Beyond
The health benefits of spin class go beyond weight loss. The bouts of high-intensity workout can improve your cardiorespiratory fitness while also make your muscles stronger.
Improved Heart & Lung Function.
Any type of aerobic exercise is good for your heart and lungs. However, few studies suggest that spinning can be particularly more beneficial for girls.
A 2017 study compared the effects of spinning with ordinary cycling in middle school students. After 16 weeks, the participants in the spinning group achieved more remarkable cardiopulmonary benefits compared to those in the ordinary cycling group.
Those in the spinning group lost more calories, more body weight, and more body fat. In addition, they had better muscular endurance and stronger muscles.
These findings support the results of a 2008 study, which found that spin class improved the markers of healthy heart and lungs such as Vo2, heart rate (HR), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Note that the higher the Vo2, the higher is the cardiorespiratory fitness of a person.
Enhanced Mood, Motivation & Positivity.
Spinning can be a great stress buster and mood enhancer. Though its effect can be different from a runner’s high, it has been found to increase positive affect and decrease negative affect. In psychology, affect is anything that represents your emotions.
One study in the Journal of Mental Health concludes that spinning improves post-exercise affect. Interestingly, you may be able to reap the benefits even without music or the presence of an instructor.
Know the Risks Of Spin Class before Boarding The Spin Train
You should always consider the risks of any exercise program before you make it a part of your daily routine. This is even more important when the exercise demands a high-intensity effort such as the spin class.
Engaging in a physically demanding workout can break your muscle tissue and lead to further complications. This condition is called rhabdomyolysis.
Unfortunately, rhabdomyolysis during spin class is rarely reported. In fact, only a handful of cases have been published in the scientific literature.
Keep in mind that rhabdomyolysis while spinning can occur in any unfit person who is otherwise healthy. For this reason, it is critically important that you talk to your doctor and instructor before spinning.
Recently, studies have found that spin classes with high noise levels have the potential to cause noise-induced hearing loss. According to a 2017 study, “average noise exposure for one 45-minute class was 8.95 ± 1.2 times the recommended noise exposure dose for an 8-hour workday.”
For this reason, you should seriously consider the sound levels in your spin class.
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