RPM or Spinning , which is better?

RPM                                                                                        Spinning

 

Versus

What is the difference between RPM and Spinning.

Both classes are high intensity endurance classes on a static bike aiming to increase cardiovascular fitness along with leg strength and power. The main and arguably the only difference is that RPM is set music, done by the Les Mills brand of fitness classes, like all of Les Mills’s classes the music and class structure will be the same where ever you do the class. Spinning will be different as the structure and the music is chosen by the instructor. Both classes are likely to cover the interval, hill climb (seated and standing) and sprinting elements of normal cycling.

RPM is a 50 minute indoor cycling work out to the rhythm of powerful music, taking on a terrain of hill climbs, flats, mountain peaks over the equivalent of a 25km ride. The class is structured to a warm up, pace (speed and intensity increased to your personal pace), hill climbs, mixed terrain, intervals, free spin (quick pace low resistance), mountain climb, ride home (recovery) and finally stretching. RPM offers continuity in your training, if you like doing the same thing week in week out then RPM is a good class, and the only thing that will change is the music every quarterly year (3 months). The down side to RPM is that  your body may become use to this type of training other time, like with any exercise program if you keep doing the same thing the body no longer can make adaptations to the training. An easy way to overcome this would be to include a new type of training alongside RPM.

Spinning also known as anything but RPM, will be a completely different structure to RPM in terms of training type and music. Most classes will instruct you in their class time table what the class will involves, so it is advisable you get hold of this before going into the class.  Classes can range from beginner to advance, or set as a sprint class, hill climb, interval, and all terrain. This class can give the instructor the chance to be creative with their class an.  The lack of continuity is a good thing as the class should be challenging every time you go as a good instructor will make sure the class is challenging and different each time you come.  Sometime instructors can go a little over the top, brining triceps and press up workouts onto the bike whilst cycling and a lot of repetitive standing up and sitting down whilst cycling. All thought this may make the class more challenging, serious questions must be asked to whether this has any relevance to cycling as if you attempted to do that on a normal bike ride you would either be in the circus or in hospital.

Both classes will bring the same benefits as normal cycling the thighs and the bum will get a good work out, along with your core muscles. The cardiovascular workout is arguably second to none.  The biggest question is that it does not replace the beauty of heading out on your road or mountain bike and taking in the terrain yourself. However it is a great replacement for when you have a puncture or the wonderful British weather puts a holt on that desired bike ride you had planned.