Let's Settle This: Is Spinning Actually A Good Workout?

Over the past few years, it seems like everyone has become completely obsessed with indoor cycling.

If it's not SoulCycle they're dragging themselves out of bed at the crack of dawn for, it's some other trendy new boutique spin studio. While spin isn't really my thing, I've certainly seen my friends get the spin bug.

Seemingly overnight, people go from being mildly interested in spending 30 minutes on a stationary bike at the gym to becoming totally obsessed to pedaling away for 45 minutes while dripping sweat in a club-like atmosphere.

I'm all for finding the workout that makes you happy and that you can actually stick with, but there's something a little troubling to me about indoor cycling: I've had many a friend tell me their back is killing them from their weekly class or that they're not sure they're actually getting a great workout in.

So I decided to get in touch with Jason Tran, an instructor who teaches at SWERVE, an indoor cycling studio in New York City, to get the inside scoop on what kind of workout we're really getting when we hit the bike.

If you think you're burning 1,000 calories every time you cycle for 45 minutes, think again—it really depends on your weight and what kind of class you take.

"Many factors go into the amount of calories someone burns in an indoor cycling class, like weight and energy output. Someone who weighs 125 pounds will typically burn 400 to 600 calories in a 45-minute class, and someone who weighs 185 pounds will likely burn 600 to 800," Tran said. "If you're taking an interval-based class where the instructor is using the music to determine sprints and drills, you're likely to burn more calories than a class where you're at a steady cardio state."

If your back is killing you after class, don't keep doing the same thing and expect to get different results.

"Potential injuries are neck and lower back pain and patellar tendinitis," Tran noted. "To prevent injury, the number one thing you should do—and this is true of every type of exercise—is listen to your body. If something doesn't feel right, ask for help. Most of the time, the bike isn't set up properly. "

Not necessarily, although studies do show that exercising outside might make you enjoy the workout more.

According to Tran, though, it really depends on your preference.

The number one mistake Tran sees in new indoor cyclists? Seat height.

"Their seat is too low! There should only be a slight bend at the knee—you should not look like you're riding in the circus. This takes away from energy output and can cause severe knee pain," he explained. "My advice: Stop guessing what the height of your bike seat should be by standing next to it and measuring with your hip (most people don't know where their hips are). Instead, flag down a staff member to help and remember your settings."