Spinning - advice needed

Jelson

thought I might add spinning to my exericise routine - took advantage of an introductory session offered by my gym. the bikes are keisers(sp?) the trainer helped with adjusting the seat height, handlebars etc. I found the seat to be intolerable. I am assuming this was due to my tamoxifen accelerated vaginal atrophy?  - The trainer said this is often a problem at first but then it goes away after a few weeks, alternatively some people use gel seat covers or padded shorts - with more or less padding - she said I may have to try several possible solutions to find out what works for me. however, I thought I would bring this issue to you, the experts - have you found this to be a problem and if so, how did you solve it.

Julie E

Summer2recover

Jelson- When I started spinning my butt killed me for weeks!  I bought a gel seat to begin with but eventually I didn't need it after a while.  I stopped spinning over a year ago but I know that if I went back it would be the same thing for a while.  Just keep going and it will ease up.  It is one of the best workouts I have ever had.

Jelson

Your experience echoes the trainers, but I am talking about my most tender lady parts, not my butt. Although my (male!) gyno assured me that the tissues are incredibly resilient - I want to avoid damage! why, after weeks of spinning, is there no more pain, do callauses form?

hbcheryl

Could also have been the actual bike seat as every one of them is different, I know I have "my" bike at the gym and if someone is rude enough to have taken it there are several that I won't get on, one is tilted upwards you don't notice unless you get down at eye level and that one hurts because the nose is tilted up right at your vagina so that could have been your problem, the gel seat covers aren't expensive but after a while you do get used to the seat and there are some days your butt just plain hurts so you love to do the jumps just to get some relief.  

Blessings2011

Jelson - I am in no way a "spinner" but I do have a cool raspberry-colored adult trike that my husband bought me so we could ride our bikes together.

(I have a balance disorder, and a bad fall off my mountain bike kept me from riding for three years.)

The original trike seat was a "tractor" type....fine when you were sitting up, but murder on the thighs when trying to pedal.

So we switched it out to my mountain bike seat with TWO gel covers. Not bad, but after an hour of riding, I feel like my "lady parts" have been mashed into some incredible, weird, flat, uncomfortable shape!!!

It's probably the Anastrozole, and eventually everything sort of resumes its natural shape, but now I'm thinking that I might use something like Replens or other moisturizer before I go for a long ride again!

p.s. Keep in mind that vaginal tissues can become so fragile from lack of natural moisture that they are as thin as tissue paper....and just the act of walking can cause them to bleed. NOT something I want to happen while I'm trying to get back in shape!!!

coraleliz

Jelson-prior to BC, I had an injury(?) that might  partially be attributed to cycling. It was called a urethral diverticula & I had it surgically corrected. The urologist also thought vaginal deliveries of my kids might have also contributed to it. I had the diverticula sugically repaired so I could ride again. If you keep at cycling or spinning, you will toughen up. I have callouses from cycling but not in any tender places. I am thin & don't know if people who aren't get callouses. I never asked. If you enjoy spinning, keep it up. If not move on. I wear padded shorts for cycling but for spinning I can get by without the padding.

misswim

Breathable,padded cycling shorts are a godsend. Try them!

manksy

Though I am new to BC, I've been spinning for a long time. I'd recommend a few things. You could try bike shorts. I'd suggest you really focus on form and try--if you can--to spend as little to no time in the saddle at all. The key there is to have good form when you are standing. Keep your hips back, around the front of the seat but don't sit. While you spin your legs, keep your upper body still--don't rock side to side, especially while climbing. Maintain a flat back with your elbows bent and relaxed. You will built a strong core. Spend some time in the spin room when there isn't a class going on so that you can practice. If you can only stand for 20 minutes and the class is 45, then spin on your own with your own iPod and earpiece and practice standing form. (Ive been doing this for years--i like my music better!) I find I get a much better workout standing and so when I take a spin class I always tell the teacher that I might stand the whole class (or only move between position 2 and 3) and never sit. No spin teacher has ever had a problem with it. And the great thing about spinning? the room is dark and no one is looking at what snyone else is really doing. Best of luck and stick with it. Spinning is fantastic exercise and a great stress relief.