Cycle or Spin? Oh Who Cares Anyway?

       Since I've started teaching group fitness there has been a lot of controversy on what is considered Spinning and what is considered Cycling. It has been the source of heated discussions, arguments, broken friendships, and a negative exercise environment. Before I continue I want to say that I personally do not feel that one program is better than the other. Both programs accomplish the same goals, burning calories and strengthening the lower body muscles. That being said, I want to discuss the differences between the two programs, so that when you look at your group fitness schedule at your local gym or you take a Spinning/Cycling class you will know which one you are taking.
       The Spinning program is a very traditional program that involves moderate to heavy loads or resistance or gearing with a fairly steady pedaling cadence (around 60-80 rpm). Now that does not mean that the maximum rate of pedaling is 80 rpm. In fact, there are numerous Spinning moves such as standing flat, seated flat, and during portions of a sprint in which you will increase your cadence up to 110 rpm. However, the Spinning program never pairs heavy loads of resistance with a cadence over 80 rpm. Spinning also strictly limits its focus to toning the Quadricep group, Hamstring group, and the Gluteal and hip muscles. You will never engage your core through up downs or side-to-sides as one would in Cycling. Spinning also has a specific physiological form to it. For instance, in a Spinning class, the instructor will want the bike set up a certain way for each individual. He or she will also make sure that each student will keep their hands on the handle bars, that their hands are in the proper hand position, and that the students knees are held together and not sliding out laterally.
         The Cycling program has a number of similarities, which is why there is some confusion over which is which. A Cycling program will set up the bikes the same way that a Spinning program will. It will also ensure proper form on the bike (with the exception of hand positions, and laying on the handlebars). Where Cycling differs from Spinning is that Cycling contains moves that are different from the Spinning program. For instance, Cycling has a move called up downs, in which the student will slide out of the saddle, engage their core, and make an up and down motion with their trunk to strengthen those muscles. For the majority of people this move will be effective, however, there will be some cases in which the student will find this move exhausting to their lower back. I am one of those students. I have scoliosis and this move severely irritates the lumbar region of my spine. However, for most people this will not be a problem.
          Cycling also contains moves that share a name with Spinning moves but are performed differently. For instance, jumps are a move in which the student comes in and out of the saddle to maintain balance and challenge their lower body muscles. In Cycling, a jump is done to the beat of the music, and there is a count to it, whereas the Spinning program's jumps consist of longer periods in and out of the saddle. Either way is effective, they are just different. Sprints are another shared move. A sprint in the Spinning program requires the build up of resistance to a level where the student's cadence has decreased to near 60 or even 60 rpm. Then for 10 seconds the student comes out of the saddle and tries to raise that cadence, however, they should not exceed 80 rpm. Then after 10 seconds the student returns to the saddle, removes the challenging resistance, and brings their cadence to 110 rpm. In the Cycling sprints, the student comes out of the saddle with a challenging level of resistance, but rather their goal is to increase their cadence as high as they possibly can. Again each method has pros and cons, but neither one is better than the other.
           I did not post this to cause more controversy or to say that one program is better than the others. I have taken both Cycling and Spinning and I have found them both to be a challenge. I have also been teaching Spinning for about 9 months now. The reason for this post was to educate you the student on which class may be more appropriate for you. Also if you are taking a class you will understand the differences between the two programs and know which program you like better. This will prevent you from wasting time in a class that does not suit your needs. I hope this was helpful, if you have any questions or comments feel free to post them.