RIDE™ FAQ

  • What can I expect for my first Spinning® class?

    Every class is a little different and every instructor has their own style, but there is no competition in a Spinning® class. Listen to your body and modify the intensity to fit your needs. The important thing is to go at your own pace.

  • Why don’t I see beginner, intermediate, or advanced classes on the schedule?

    The Spinning® program is for everyone, and every rider can adjust the resistance on their own bike. The instructor will offer students options to both decrease and increase the intensity level as well as incorporate more challenging movements based on appropriate skill levels. At RIDE™ we do offer SPINNING® 101, a class designed to introduce new students to Spinning® terminology, the movements and proper bike fit.

  • I heard I can burn 1000 calories in a Spinning® class. Is this true?

    Whoa! Here are the facts: there are a number of factors that determine caloric expenditure, including age, weight, fitness level, and intensity at which you train. Research indicates that on average, participants burn about 400–500 calories in a 40-minute workout.

  • Can I listen to my own iPod during class?

    Sorry, folks. You gotta be unplugged when you’re in a group class in order to hear cues and safety instructions so leave the iPod and earphones at home. Our instructors would love to know if there’s a song you’ve been dying to hear – let us know and we’ll put it on our next playlist (maybe, if it’s an awesome song; otherwise, the deal is off.) You’re also welcome to pay a drop-in fee if you prefer to ride solo with your own music/earphones in between classes when we’re staffed.

  • How can I make the ride more comfortable?

    Ok, we gotcha. What you really wanted to say was “What is up with this saddle?” Don’t worry, if you’re new to the Spinning® program, after a few sessions your body will get used to the saddle. Wearing padded cycling shorts will definitely make your ride more comfortable. Check with your instructor to make sure you are sitting correctly on the saddle.

  • Do I really have to have a heart rate monitor?

    Do you ‘have’ to? No, we’re not the IRS, so we aren’t going to ‘make’ you do anything. However, you wouldn’t play golf without investing in a set of clubs, and we don’t recommend riding in a Spinning®  class without the only tool it requires.

  • Will I become a better person if I ride at RIDE™?

    You really can’t avoid it. There’s a natural euphoria that comes from participating in a Spinning ®class. We believe everyone has the power to do things they never dreamed possible; this power becomes available to you when you change your beliefs. We’re here to help you take charge of your training; to take charge of your life. The highest mountain is climbed one step at a time. We invite you to come and take your first step at RIDE™. You just might find the courage to follow your dreams.

  • What is the minimum age requirement at RIDE™?

    Each official Spinning facility has its own policy on age requirements and at Charleston RIDE the age minimum is 13.
    The following parameters are taken from the Spinning guidelines and can provide you with some relevant information:

    Size: Proper bike fit is very important for injury prevention. So participants need to be big enough to get their proper seat height and fore/aft adjustments. Generally speaking, Spinner bikes should fit people who are at least 4′ 11″. But this is not an exact minimum height because leg and torso length are also the determining factors.

    Age/Maturity: If kids are going to participate, they need to be mature and responsible enough to follow the safety rules. It can sometimes be tempting for kids to pedal as fast as they can, and that can be unsafe. Because the Spinner is a fixed gear bike, the weight of the flywheel can turn the pedals at a very high speed with a lot of momentum if there’s not enough resistance.

    Youth fitness guidelines for resistance training: Pre-pubescent children should not “climb hills” on the Spinner bike with a lot of heavy resistance on the flywheel. Youth fitness guidelines advise against resistance training for kids whose growth plates are still forming.

    Kids fitness is a very specific programming element of any fitness facility and all staff must be qualifed to work with this age group. We’ve determined the minimum age of 13 based on our staff qualifications and the scope of our programming.

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