MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO -- The depot Fitness Center offers
many activities and classes for Marines, depot personnel
and their families to stay healthy and fit. One of these classes offered is the spin class that takes place every day at Phillips Hall.
“It’s a great class because it’s a form of exercise where a person can push themselves a bit harder then normal,” said Jill Suess, spin instructor.
Spin is a one-hour cardio work-out that is an alternative to regular aerobic workouts and for people who may not be fit or coordinated enough to do a step aerobics class, but still want the cardio exercise, said Suess. Spin has been offered on base for five years, according to Suess.
“It’s addicting because once the class starts and it picks up speed it pushes you to your limits,” said Tina Marie, fitness center aid and spin bike enthusiast.
The class offers enjoyment and has a hidden and effective workout so people workout without
really knowing it said Marie.
“It’s not like riding normal indoor bikes because people can read a magazine or watch television
when riding one of those. In the spin class, people are focused
and can push themselves harder,” said Suess.
The spin class provides an overall work out that puts an emphasis on cardio and burning calories. The class helps burn between 600 and 800 calories said Suess.
The class is not just for able-bodied people, it can also help those people with knee, back and hip injuries said Ron Rivera, fitness specialist.
“It has to be prescribed by your doctor or physical therapists,
but the class helps suppress
impact to the joints,” said Rivera.
There are many levels of spin classes from beginner to advanced
so everyone can participate,
said Suess. She added that the class is beneficial for people with certain injuries because they can control the resistance that is applied and they can work to get their leg strength back to normal or better.
In addition to making working
out easier for those that have minor injuries, spin can also improve one’s performance in the 3-mile run for their physical fitness test, said Rivera.
Suess said that many people have to force themselves to go and work out, but this is a fun class, so most people go about their day feeling better and with a boost of energy.
Suess is one of the six instructors
who teaches the spin class throughout the day. Classes are at 6 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays there is a 5 p.m. class, and an 8 a.m. class on Sundays. Class times are varied so that everyone can try and make it to one of them, said Suess.