Indoor Cycling: A Great Alternative to These 5 Exercise Options

Whether you call it indoor cycling or spinning, riding a stationary bike in an indoor environment is a great alternative to some of the most popular exercise options. We can tell you from our own experience just how much people benefit from organized spinning classes. And of course, you can ride by yourself in the comfort of your own home.

Many things make indoor cycling a different way to exercise. At the top of the list its low impact nature. That makes it a great option for people who have trouble with their feet, ankles, and knees. Organized cycling classes have the added advantage of a personal instructor who leads students through a set routine with a targeted set of goals.

There is more to indoor cycling than being low impact and taught by professional instructors. However, that's another topic for another post. For now, know that indoor cycling is a great alternative to the following five exercise options:

1. Outdoor Cycling

For some people, outdoor cycling is the best. They enjoy getting out and putting a few miles in on local roads. But outdoor cycling has a few drawbacks. Among them are traffic and the weather. Traffic is always a concern, especially if you live in an urban or suburban area. Sometimes the only way to escape is to take your bike out into the country.

Where weather is concerned, there is nothing you can do to change it. You either ride during inclement weather or you skip exercising that day.

2. Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is another great activity for people who love to be on two wheels. You don't have the traffic issues, but weather is still a concern. You also have to load up your bike and travel some distance every time you want to get some exercise. On the other hand, taking a spinning class at our Salt Lake City studio tends to be more convenient and amenable to modern schedules.

3. Running and Walking

As previously stated, indoor cycling is a low-impact exercise. It is so designated because the physical impact of cycling on the lower body is minimized. That makes indoor cycling a fantastic alternative to both running and walking.

Running is obviously one of the toughest high-impact sports around. Every stride translates into impact energy on the feet and ankles. That could mean trouble for people with lower body issues. Walking is less stressful, but it is still not as low-impact as indoor cycling.

4. Swimming

We love swimming as another low-impact exercise option that gives you a full body workout. Swimming laps for 20-30 minutes is a great cardio workout, too. The downside to swimming is finding a convenient time to get to the pool. Swimming classes are not necessarily what you're looking for, and open swim times can be limited. Indoor cycling classes tend to be more convenient because they are available throughout the day and evening hours.

5. Golf

A lot of indoor cycling's biggest fans are also golfers. And why not? Golf is a fantastic sport that gets you out and about in the outdoors. However, golf is so popular these days that it's hard to find courses that will let you walk. That means you're losing out on the exercise benefits by riding a cart. Golf is also limited by weather and the seasons. Indoor cycling can be enjoyed year-round regardless of the weather.

If you have been looking for spinning classes near you, consider Mcycle Studios. We have a team of incredible instructors and a convenient schedule of classes for you to choose from.