Why Spinning - Indoor Cycling is Beneficial & Inclusive for all Ages..
- Tracy Dixon Mind & Body Fit
- Sep 2
- 2 min read
I want to share this article with you from the Times Newspaper.
I have researched & put in the science to back up the claims they are making (which are pretty incredible).
Thank you to Suzie Fisher for sending it to me.
If you have never tried Indoor Cycling- Spinning, I encourage you to give it a go, for all the reasons listed below & at least another 10 benefits to your physical, mental, emotional & social health that aren’t featured in the article.
I started Teaching Spin in 2008.
It has been a game changer for so many people in classes & 1-1.
Here’s a few reasons why…
Key Science-Backed Benefits of Spinning (Any Age)
1.
Pain Relief & Improved Joint Function
A study by Bournemouth University & University Hospitals Dorset, funded by the NIHR & published in Lancet Rheumatology, compared weekly spinning plus brief educational sessions to standard physiotherapy in people aged early 40s to late 70s with hip/knee osteoarthritis. The spinning group—starting with 30-minute classes, building to 40 minutes—reported greater reductions in pain, better joint function, & boosted motivation to manage issues proactively.
A five-year follow-up found that nearly half had not returned to their GP, & 57% avoided joint replacement surgery, highlighting the long-term efficacy of spinning.
2.
Low-Impact & High Calorie Burn
Indoor cycling is lower impact than running or step aerobics, making it gentler on joints yet still highly effective. A 1997 study by the American Council on Exercise found that spinning burns 7.5 to 19 calories per minute, comparable to a 7‑minute‑mile run, but without the joint stress.
3.
Inclusive & Motivating Classes
Spinning is highly inclusive: resistance & cadence are invisible to others, removing comparison pressure. Participants of all fitness levels—even those who haven’t exercised in years—feel welcomed.
The group setting fosters motivation, & even though session formats have evolved. The core appeal remains the same: a supportive environment where you control your pace.
4.
Cardiovascular & Metabolic Gains
Spinning elevates heart rate into 75–96% of age‑predicted max, ideal for cardiovascular fitness.
A review in Medicina reported improvements in aerobic capacity, blood pressure, lipid profiles, & body composition—even when spinning was paired with other lifestyle changes.
5.
Mental Health & Cognitive Benefits
Although not deeply detailed in this article, other research cited therein supports spinning’s role in brain protection & cognitive health, adding to its cardiovascular & physical advantages. It increased dopamine, serotonin & other mood enhancing hormones.
6.
Enhanced Hip Mobility through Continuous Motion
Spinning mobilizes the hip joints regularly. As one hip pushes, it supports the weaker one, resulting in more movement “dose” than traditional physiotherapy exercises—60–100 revolutions per minute—which helps maintain mobility.
Ok if this makes you want to get on a bike & get going, I have a class for you.
From complete beginner, experienced, to athlete!
Click link here to see all the Spin Class days & times at First Place Fitness, Kirkland Kendal.
Tracy x
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