Q. I enjoy Spinning but don't want to build bulky thighs. If I keep the resistance low, can I still get great fitness benefits without building up my thighs?
A. Pedaling with low resistance all the time is not going to give you optimal fitness benefits. Don't worry about developing monster thighs. The size of your quadriceps depends a lot more on your genetics than on your training regimen. "People in my classes get so worked up about this issue", says Riley McAlpine, a personal trainer and Spinning instructor at Revolution Fitness in Santa Monica, Ca. "I tell them that my big legs are from my mother. You can Spin just as much as I do and your legs won't look like this." McAlpine points out that professional cyclists come in all shapes and sizes. "If you look at two pros who train the same way and have the same fitness level, one might have really skinny quads other might be Quadzilla," she says.
Cranking up the resistance will help you develop power in your thighs and standing also puts your abdominal muscles, as well as your lats, triceps and biceps, into play. "If you Spin easily all the time, your body will get used to the movement and stop responding," McAlpine says. "The more you mix it up the better."

Q. I've heard that spinning or performing any other aerobic exercise is better for you if you are wearing a heart rate monitor. Is that true and why?

A. Yes it is true. Overexertion is a primary cause of injury and fatigue. Using a heart rate monitor during any cardiovascular activity keeps you exercising safely in your zone. Whether your goal is weight-loss, burning body fat, or just staying fit and healthy, a heart rate monitor allows you to exercise at your optimum heart rate. The use of heart rate monitor also teaches YOU to be IN CONTROL of your heart rate, which is the key to working out in just the right way to meet YOUR individual fitness goals. We, at ABSolutely Fit, strongly advise all members - beginners and advanced, to wear Heart Rate Monitors for the best AEROBIC workout possible.