Trying out Spalding Gym's new virtual spin classes
Normally, the only saddle I want to hop onto is attached to a horse, but I have swapped disciplines in order to try out the new virtual spin class in Spalding.
The Castle Sports Complex has received a makeover along with an enhanced group exercise programme in recent months following an investment by South Holland District Council and Lex Leisure.
As part of this transformation, the sports centre’s crèche is now being used to house instructor-led and virtual spin classes with strip lighting, new screen and sound system to add to the atmosphere.
Spinning, which was started in the late 1980s in Santa Monica by South African cyclist Johnny Goldberg, has become a mainstay in gyms up and down the country for a decade.
Having not tried a spin class previously, I thought why not? Who wouldn’t jump at the opportunity to burn up to 600 calories, while sort-of sitting down?
Spin bikes have been adapted to re-create road conditions by adding and taking down resistance during the course of the work-out.
The class I attended was the HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) session which, while challenging, was a lot of fun.
Two instructors from Les Mills lead the class and you simply follow what they do and when to pick up the pace. This is supported by the lighting and music as this helped to add energy to the work-out.
The session included sprints in a normal position – I really enjoyed these – along with standing up cycling, which I found really hard.
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One of the things that had previously put me off from attending a class was the worry that, as a newbie, I would stand out and look a bit foolish by not understanding what to do or keeping up with the others.
The benefit of this class was the fact that it is quite dark, so no-one could see when or where I went wrong or cheated by easing up.
Contract manager Tommy Fairweather said the Castle offers 30-minute HIIT and 45-minute RPM classes, which are low impact and focus on endurance.
He said: “A lot of people like the interaction with an instructor but the fact is we can provide virtual classes at unsociable hours. For people in this area, who work in factories or on shifts, they can fit in an early morning or weekend class with the virtual route.
“Virtual classes are also good for beginners as you can come to a less populated class and get a feel for what is going on.”
Previously, the spin classes were held upstairs in a room in the gym, but moving downstairs to the revamped crèche has been one of the improvements undertaken in recent months.
Upstairs, the gym has also been refurbished, with chequered plate added to the new weight room, along with a functional fitness area fitted out with sandbags, mediballs and kettle bells.
The investment has also resulted in a host of new equipment, including spin bikes, Olympic bench press, along with machines which offer different types of resistance.
So far the changes have also resulted in increased membership, with age ranges from 12 to 92. The improvements have also been aimed at increasing a younger audience, with the addition of junior memberships.
Mr Fairweather has been pleased with the changes introduced to the Castle.
He said: “When I first arrived, I was slightly confused about how the improvements were going to work within the space. The spin studio offered more opportunity to do that and we are looking at further improvements as well.”
