13 benefits of spinning for your physical and psychological health

This exercise offers many physical and psychological benefits if we use it when training.

No one doubts that physical exercise is good for our health. In the last decade, gyms have been gaining more and more popularity, and although the goal of some is to improve body aesthetics, practicing physical exercise is a healthy habit as long as it does not become an addiction. Did you know that there are people who are addicted to running? You can read the article "Runnorexia: the modern running addiction" to learn more.

In fitness centers, a new trend has taken off and its practice has proliferated in recent times: is "spinning", a method of indoor cycling that brings a series of benefits both physical and psychological.

Brief history of spinning

Three days after arriving in the United States from South Africa in 1979, Johnny Goldberg was the victim of a robbery at a Santa Monica hotel where he was staying. Virtually penniless due to the incident, he found himself out of a job. Johnny Goldberg, better known as Johnny G today, persuaded the owners of a gym to give him the opportunity to work as a personal trainer, as he had been a personal trainer for years at a gym in Johannesburg. He was lucky! And soon after arriving in the U.S. he was working at what he loved.

When his situation had stabilized, he took up cross-country, a specialty of mountain biking, and competed in a number of events.and competed in several events. Goldberg spent hours and hours in his garage training with his bike on a roller; however, he found this method boring. To motivate himself, he played music to make his workouts more enjoyable and fun. He noticed that his fitness was improving while he was having fun and told his friends, who started meeting in his garage and working out together to music.

But Goldberg found fault with the roller, so in 1997 he had an exercise bike built, similar to the bike he used for competition, which he called a "sprinter". This is how this fitness phenomenon was born.The fitness phenomenon, which quickly spread up and down the West Coast of the United States, and eventually to the rest of the world.

Aerobic or anaerobic training?

Spinning is an activity that is done in a group and is led by an instructor. and is led by a trainer. This training program is carried out on stationary bicycles, which are different from the classic stationary bicycle, as they have an inertia disk that keeps moving even if we stop pedaling. This feature helps pedaling to be more natural and we do not get stuck in the knee when we make the push.

It is common to speak of spinning as an aerobic workout; however, spinning sessions can contain cardiovascular endurance work, speed training and interval work, so anaerobic training can also be included. anaerobic training is also part of this method..

Spinning is engaging, mainly because you sweat and work hard, it is fun and motivating, everyone regulates their resistance according to their physical condition and the movement is quite mechanical and simple, unlike a step or aerobic session.

The benefits of spinning

If you are thinking of starting this practice, pay attention to the following lines. Below you can find a list of the 13 benefits of spinning.

1. Low impact on joints

Spinning is considered a low-impact sport, so it is possible to benefit from the workout without suffering the joints or knees. It is even recommended for people suffering from arthritis, according to a study conducted by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).

2. Reduces the risk of injury

Unlike, for example, running on asphalt or crossfit, low-impact modalities are less likely to cause injuries. Studies show that these types of activities are still just as beneficial for improving fitness levels, cardiovascular health or improving sleep quality. In addition, being an exercise with a repetitive movement pattern, it is safer than other directed classes such as aerobics..

3. Improves heart health

A good way to make the heart work more healthily is by spinning. Studies show that it helps improve cardiovascular fitness considerably and, in addition, it strengthens our vital organ, improves heart rate and lowers Blood pressure.

4. Reduces stress

Spinning helps reduce stress and relieve tension, so it is ideal after a hard day's work. is ideal to practice it after a hard day's work.. Also, like any form of physical exercise, daily spinning reduces cortisol levels, a hormone that is released in response to stress. This sport improves our body's ability to deal with stress and the negative consequences of this phenomenon.

5. Helps to lose fat

The spinning is an ideal workout to burn caloriesDepending on the intensity it is possible to burn up to 700 kcal in one session. In addition, interval training causes us to burn calories not only during the session, but also after exercise.

6. Increases self-esteem

Physical exercise can make you feel good and help you look betterThis means that the perception you have of yourself will be positive and, consequently, it can increase your self-esteem. According to the First Barometer on Movement in Spain conducted by Rexona, physical exercise makes us feel good physically and allows us to feel more confident and secure. But don't get obsessed.

7. It produces happiness chemicals

Spinning releases a series of chemicals in our brain, such as endorphins and serotonin.. Endorphins are responsible for making us feel energetic and upbeat after sports; and low serotonin levels are associated with depression and negative moods. Studies show that physical exercise increases levels of these neurochemicals.

8. Helps you sleep better

The serotonin not only improves the mood, but it favors the production of melatoninwhich is the hormone related to sleep. Therefore, physical exercise also helps you sleep better, as revealed by a Duke University study. Thanks to spinning, we achieve a peaceful sleep and improve its quality and quantity. However, it is advisable not to do it shortly before going to sleep.

9. Improves the immune system

Spinning strengthens the immune system and protects against certain types of cancer. A group of researchers found that sports practice increases the number of cells in the body's immune system, and although the effect is only temporary, regular exercise protects against viruses and bacteria that can cause health complications.Although the effect is only temporary, regular physical exercise protects against viruses and bacteria that can cause health complications.

10. Improves endurance

Although sports performance is influenced by many factors, it is clear that endurance plays an important role in sport. As an interval workout, spinning improves both aerobic and anaerobic endurance.. Even if you are not an athlete, you will notice this on a daily basis, for example, when climbing stairs or walking to work, as you will be less tired.

11. Tones legs, buttocks and abdominals

Spinning sessions not only work on endurance, but also improve muscle tone. also improves muscle tone, especially in the coreespecially in the core, buttocks and legs. When we increase the resistance on the bicycle, the same effort is made as if we were climbing a hill, which favors the development of the muscles in these areas.

12. Improves interpersonal relationships

Spinning is done in a group, which can be very motivating. In addition, this is a good opportunity to meet people, this is a good opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. As our self-confidence improves and we have more contact with some people, the more we relate to each other. The music in spinning classes and the fun and active atmosphere stimulates social relationships.

13. Strengthens bones and joints

Spinning will not only strengthen some muscles such as the buttocks or hamstrings, but the bones, tendons and ligaments surrounding these muscles will also be strengthened. This is also positive if you practice other sports, as it reduces the risk of injury.This is also positive if you practice other sports, as it reduces the risk of injury.