Get in the spin of things Every year fitness clubs across the Island traditionally see a rise in membership as more people make the commitment to get fit and healthy in the New Year.

But how many of us will have actually kept that commitment by the time next January rolls around?

Instead of giving up after April, fitness instructors are advising people who want to lose weight and get fit to start by being realistic.

Instead of setting challenging goals in the beginning, Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor Claire Kent at the Total Fitness Gym on Brunswick Street advises beginning your routine with small goals that start to make exercise a regular part of your life.

This means finding a variety of exercise routines, from getting outside once in a while for a walk to singing up for a new kind of exercise class that sounds appealing. Recently I went in search of a fun yet intense workout, and I found a Spinning class at the Total Fitness Gym to be exactly what I was looking for.

With its glow in the dark theme, fun, upbeat music and the constant encouragement from the instructor the class was taken on an intense and enjoyable workout. In a matter of minutes we had broken out into a steady sweat as we pedalled up the next hill on an imaginary obstacle course, down on a flat terrain, and up once again to navigate the next challenging slope.

Ms Kent has been offering the class several days a week at the gym after spinning became popular around the world several years ago.

Spinning classes are now offered in 54 different countries, and are best described as high-energy, indoor stationary cycling programs where the instructor takes participants on a ?virtual? outdoor road race complete with hills, valleys, and finish lines.

Spinning was created in the 1980s by world-class cyclist Jonathan Goldberg (a.k.a. ?Johnny G?). Like dance aerobics class, cycling is a form of aerobic activity that will give you a great cardiovascular workout and burn calories.

Unlike aerobics, cycling is a non-impact activity that can be easier on the joints than high-impact forms of exercise such as running or step class. For this reason the gym is also keen to promote its seniors spinning class held weekly for seniors and free of charge to those over 50.

Ms Kent says spinning is also a great way to begin an exercise programme if you are a novice to the gym. It can also trim inches off trouble spots such as thighs and hips and is a satisfying way to begin shedding the pounds.

?Everyone?s got to start somewhere,? said Ms Kent. ?Spinning is so good for the body physically ? it improves cardiovascular condition, you tone up, you lose body fat and you increase you endurance. It?s a good cardio workout that burns calories and it?s also set to music so it?s fun.?

Beginners are also encouraged to start at their own pace and work their way up.

?You go at your own pace, at the beginning you do what your body tells you and you train yourself up,? said Ms Kent. ?At the beginning of the class if you are new I can tailor the class and the bike to fit your needs.

?But every time you come to the class you begin to feel the improvements, your endurance increases and you find yourself able to go a little bit longer every week. Your circulation improves and you find the legs and body muscles are also strengthened.?

Throughout the duration of my spinning class we are taken on spins through flat terrain, up a hill and on a recovery spin that allows the body time to briefly recover and cool down.

In the class you never stop pedalling ? a switch on the front of the bike also allows you to turn the intensity up or down as the need arises.

To say an hour of spinning is really hard work is an understatement. After 20 minutes on the bike burning in your legs, thighs, and muscles should indicate that you are just starting to warm up your muscles.

Spinning classes also require you to move up and down in the saddle of the bike, an important part of the class since this helps to work major muscle groups throughout the body.

It?s also incredibly challenging physically as you are either required to hold the position while going up a hill or racing to the finish line. In this workout session it?s also easy to avoid tempting breaks you may try to fit in when exercising alone.

With your instructor watching, even in the dark, it?s also not easy to sneak in a quick break. I also feel guilty if I even contemplate stopping my pedalling for a break as I notice no one else attempts to do anything sneaky over the hour.

Ms Kent said the class has been a staple of the gym?s menu of classes despite fitness trends that come and go.

?We?ve had a good response, overall the class has had it?s highs and lows but what I would say that distinguishes it from other classes is that it?s fun, you can come regularly and keep the pace going, and there?s not much rest time between what you?ve been doing and what you will be doing next.

?On the social side it?s also a good way to meet new people if you are a senior or if you are new to the Island.?

Due to the positive response, Total Fitness will also be offering spinning classes for seniors free of charge for those over the age of 50.