Spin bike tennis shoes

I’m an under buyer. Instead of buying new stuff, I tend to make do with what I have because I don’t think I really need something new. For example, I’ve been riding the same clunker Schwinn for almost 10 years. A shiny new bike would be nice, especially because I bike to work every day. But my bike gets me where I need to go just fine, even if it makes weird noises sometimes.

For the past several months, I’ve been thinking about one new purchase. Nothing can burn you out more than training for and running a marathon, and since October I’ve been logging fewer miles on the treadmill. To replace that cardio, I’ve been attending more spin classes. Spin shoes have been on my want list for months. However, I’ve talked myself out of buying them too many times to count. My underbuying habits alway overrule my desire for something new. I tell myself that my running shoes get the job done. I still get a good workout in spin class without biking shoes. Plus, is it really worth buying new shoes that I will only use a maximum of a few hours a week?

After much internal debate, I decided to pull the spin shoe trigger. But only because I made a deal with myself. If I bought spin shoes, then I would aim to attend 2-3 spin classes a week instead of my usual one. I would branch out and try new teachers. I would put these bad boys to good use so buying them was really worth it.

Less than a week later, I’ve already been to three spin classes and love my fancy new shoes. Remember that Sunday when Chicago was covered in sheets of icy rain? I even braved the weather that day to hit up a spin class. The excitement about their newness will fade quickly, I’m sure. I don’t think I’ll regret this purchase though. I wish I would have bought them sooner.

If you ask any spin instructor “is it really worth it?” in regards to spinning clipped in versus relying on the cages that go around your gym shoes, be prepared for a 5-minute enthusiastic lecture about an improved efficiency that will totally change your ride. You waste tons of energy through the sole of your shoe and when you pull up on the cages. Being connected to your bike makes for a much more efficient push and pull. It’s simple physics.