Spin Class for the Summer
📍 Shore Acres, St. Pete
Crop Top (Also) || Sports Bra || Bike Shorts || Sneakers || Athletic Socks || Similar Hat || Watch || Water Bottle
It’s not something I typically talk about on the blog, but I am a lifelong athlete, namely swimming. After my time as a varsity swimmer at FSU, and nearly 20 years in the sport, I was ready to call it quits for a while. Sadly, no other form of exercise took its hold on me. I would try running intermittently, but my bad knees never let me get very far. Simply, I didn’t enjoy it. One of my goals for 2021 was to finally find a new exercise that I would happily do and maybe even be a little good at. A few months ago, I finally found what I was looking for at St. Pete’s Central Cycling. I cannot recommend a spin class enough for an effective, low-impact workout. Here’s what you’ll need to get yourself started on a new fitness journey and spin class for the summer.
Bike Shorts
Choosing what to wear to spin class is all about preference. You’ll see standard running-type shorts and leggings, but the most common are bike shorts. For one, these are pretty trendy even outside of the workout space. After investing in a few, they’re all perfect for riding the bike, hence the name. My running shorts always creep up and aren’t the most comfortable. I hate worrying about pulling them back down in the middle of a ride, and I get too warm for full-coverage leggings. You can start with a low-cost pair from Amazon to try them out for yourself. If you love the feeling, I recommend these shorts from Alo. They come in a rainbow of colors and are incredibly soft and flattering. Plus, you can go for the completely monochromatic look and stand out in class.
Indoor Cycling Shoes
Since Central Cycling doesn’t require these particular shoes, I’ve yet to invest in them and am happy just using my plain sneakers. Still, they’re pretty standard in my classes. I would say about 50% or so. I know you need cycling shoes at other spin studios, primarily SoulCycle, and may need to invest in them early on. TIEM is a popular brand , and I have to say, I think they’re the most stylish. Before making the total commitment, see if your local studio has any pairs you can rent or borrow. At the very least, they can probably help with you the fit or what works best for their bikes.
Insulated Water Bottle
Let’s get rid of single-use plastics! Without bringing my water bottle to class, I would surely die. This one is pretty unassuming, but it’s insulated to keep my water ice cold. The size fits universally into most cupholders and is easy to grip, even on the sweatiest of sessions.
Heart Rate Monitor
A watch is not a requirement for spin class, but I think it’s good to have. After, all knowledge is power! With this monitor watch, I can keep track of my heart rate and calories burned. It’s lightweight, and I don’t even realize I have it on. If you already have an Apple Watch, that’s just as good, if not better. I’m still a holdout because I’m not ready to be on the grid 24/7.
Athletic Baseball Hat
Sometimes you need an extra bit of protection to keep the sweat from your brows. I look for baseball hats made of that performance material versus a cotton blend. In my opinion, it does a better job without fully setting into the fabric. My particular hat is from Gasparilla Inn, but I love the powder blue color more than anything. This athletic hat is the same shade of blue and similar material, both perfect for spin class.
Workout Towel
Typically spin studios will provide this for you, but it’s good to double-check. If not, it’s not a bad idea to have them on hand. In my favorite light blue, I first started getting these towels for cleaning around the house and working in the yard. They are ultra-absorbent and great for no matter the task.
Silicon Wedding Bands
I’ve never been one to work out with jewelry on, but that’s especially true for my most valuable piece, my wedding rings. Since my spin class includes a little bit of weight work, I leave my ring safely at home and wear a silicon ring instead. I’ve been doing this since David first proposed. It gives me peace of mind that nothing will happen to my ring each time I break a set. I bought a ring set upfront and am so happy that I have to wear it as an alternative.
Cropped Tops and Sports Bras
Going back to my swimmer days, my first choice was always wearing an oversized t-shirt to practice. As much as I love these tees, they aren’t the most comfortable choice for an action-packed spin class. After a few months of trial and error, I love a cropped top and sports bra set. They allow me to have a full range of motion but still have appropriate coverage. Similar to my bike shorts, I love the options that Alo has. There are dozens of colors and styles to chose.
Am I an expert on cycling yet? Absolutely not. Still, after only a month of classes (5 days a week), I can already feel a difference. I sleep better at night, have more energy during the day, and feel more comfortable in my own skin. Most importantly, it’s something that I finally enjoy doing. A great attitude from the staff during those 6 am classes definitely helps! As always, before you start any workout program, consider talking to your doctor to make sure that spin class is the right choice for you. Happy spinning!
Love from Florida,
Katie
As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.