12 Jul Is Spinning Making my Butt Big?
Over the last decade, spinning has blown up with Soul Cycle and Peloton leading the charge. Women everywhere (including me) found a fun, high intensity, music charged workout that left them sweaty, and fat burning. However, it’s also gotten a really bad rap when it comes to our thighs. We have this mentality that cycling will bulk up our butt and thighs and thus, many ladies are petrified of the sport as they strive to attain skinny legs. Many super models will attest to the spin protest.
Here’s the truth. YES, spinning, when done correctly, is actually much like a squat. It calls on our booties, thighs and calves and rapidly builds those muscles. The difference, however, is that it’s also a cardiovascular workout for your heart and will burn more calories per minute than squats alone. So, will our muscles build on and around our butts and thighs if we jump on the bike every day? Probably. But the fat overlaying that muscle will also burn so you will ultimately be left with visibly muscular legs. I bet more women than not would prefer this over skinny fat gams and I know Sir Mix-A-Lot has my back ‘er butt, on that.
The bottom line is that incorporating a variety of exercises into your schedule is key. If you love to tap it back and you will otherwise not do any cardio, keep getting on the bike! Cycling is an awesome way to burn calories and build muscle, but in a perfect world, you should incorporate upper body strength as well to balance the lower body.