Sassy Rants.
Daily musings on what every stylish gal should know.
Wellington, FL

sassy’s spin hack


Sassy’s Spin Hack:

ESSENTIALS FOR THE AT-HOME SPIN SUPERSTAR

I have been a longtime user of Aaptiv audio-guided workouts. I love their treadmill, outdoor running, and stairclimber classes. I have tried to use the upright bikes at the gym for the indoor cycling classes but it just doesn’t translate. My girlfriend Trish turned me onto to her spin studio in Delray Beach and although I love the classes and studio, it’s way too far to do it as part of a workout routine. I also tried to visit a few studios around town with ClassPass a try but there aren’t enough studios to make it worthwhile or they’re just too dang far. So, what to do when you’re simply bored with just going to the gym and always short on time? Well, I don’t know a single person that has a complaint about their Peloton but I couldn’t get past the sticker shock. My girlfriend Kristina and I were talking about how to hack the spin studio feel at home without the Peloton price tag.

As Amazon Prime Day was approaching, I took to Googling and found a number of posts and reviews on Peloton Hacks. Everyone was recommending Sunny Health & Fitness indoor cycling bikes for being easy to assemble, budget-friendly and sturdy. Well, I ordered everything this week and set it all up this weekend! I downloaded the Peloton app for the 14-day trial to compare live streaming/video classes to the audio classes from Aaptiv. If you’re already spinning, please follow me on Peloton (@sassyrants) so I can try recommended classes. I’ll try and upload all of my stats on Strava.

 


I created an Amazon shopping list for this Peloton hack based on all of the suggestions that I collected to make it easy breezy shopping to set up your at home spin studio. PELOTON HACK Shopping List: http://bit.ly/2zTfVLT

Step One: Seat Cover

First things first, get yourself a seat cover so you don’t bruise your lady parts like Khloe Kardashian did after a few SoulCycle classes. I would always text Trish a couple days after a spin/brunch date that I remembered why I didn’t spin all the time. Jeez, it can really hurt the following days! invest in a gel seat first. BUY NOW: https://bit.ly/2uzbhxv

Step Two: Spin Bike

I ended up going with the upgraded magnetic belt drive cycling bike. It was delivered on Friday and weighed damn near 100 lbs. I took the box apart in front of the house and brought pieces in one section at a time but ultimately was able to assemble this beauty in under an hour. The biggest trouble I’ve had is with the seat and that’s an easy fix.

Sunny Health & Fitness Evolution Pro Magnetic Belt Drive Indoor Cycling Bike SF-B1714

OR

The other highly suggested bike was a belt drive cycling bike featuring dual pedals – standard cage and SPD pedals.

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1509 Belt Drive

Step Three: Floor Mat

I have opted for an outdoor setup but I still made sure to get a mat to keep things tidy. In the event that I move this all inside, I’ll be ready to go.

SuperMats Heavy Duty Equipment Mat 13GS for Indoor Cycles Recumbent Bikes Upright Exercise Bikes and Steppers (2.5 Feet x 5 Feet) (30-Inch x 60-Inch)

Step Four: Cadence/Stats

As I have learned, a good deal of the Peloton classes are based on bike metrics that would normally be projected on the large bike tablet. So, most of the folk so the Peloton App Users Unite! Facebook Group default to using a cadence sensor. The ideal setup would be a tablet with your Peloton/Aaptiv app running your class and your phone with your bike stats. Since you can’t measure the resistance on the bike (it’s just a knob and a feeling), the sensors are too help you gauge your effort. It’s a simple install but after my trial run, I noticed that it didn’t take any account into my distance. Bummer, I am going to swap the recommended Wahoo Cadence sensor for the Garmin Speed & Cadence sensor just for consistency. I have a Garmin running watch so my stats can be housed in one spot. Ultimately, I want to know when I PR! Thankfully, both will upload info to Strava. I will wear either my Garmin watch with a chest strap HR monitor or my FitBit Charge 2.

Wahoo RPM Cycling Cadence Sensor, Bluetooth/ANT+

OR

Garmin Bike Speed Sensor and Cadence Sensor

{Update: Garmin is a bust. Stick with the Wahoo.}

Step Five: Screen

As I mentioned, you’ll need to set up a tablet or smartphone to cast your spin class. The recommended holder: https://bit.ly/2A1jsb2

Real Talk:

  • I have never been a fan of spin shoes. So the pedals and cages are not of importance, nor are special footwear.
  • Be sure you set yourself up right. Often times, it’s your setup and your form that cause for an unpleasant spin experience. Adjust yourself appropriately:  https://sunnyhealthfitness.com/sunny-articles/adjusting-sunny-bike/
  • Not pictured in the above setup, the tall oscillating fan placed directly in front of the bike.
  • The water bottle setup is rather low but thankfully the handlebars can accommodate a bottle, towel, and a screen.
  • Some Peloton classes incorporate weights, you can get a weight rack or cart to keep them. I have literally just placed my 5 lbs weights on the mat and will see how and when I need them.
  • The Peloton app will not get you on the leaderboard but that’s what your stats are for, you’re competing with yourself, aren’t you?
  • I am currently on a mission to find a way to hang my 3 lbs. dumbbells on the bike. I’ve seen a zip-tied peg board basket from Home Depot to a custom wire hanger. Stay tuned!

I plan on using the spin bike 3-4 times a week and sprinkling my running and weight training in between. I hope that this home studio will help me save time and keep me motivated. #noexcuses

Happy spinning!

PELOTON HACK Shopping List: http://bit.ly/2zTfVLT

Disclaimer:  My Sassyrants blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.