A while back I was wondering if instructors cared whether students left class early. I wasn’t sure if it was disruptive for the class or if it was offensive, since a lot of time people walk out early because they don’t like the class or person teaching.

Anyway, the nice people at Equinox have a list for “Studio Cycling Etiquette” that addresses this, and many other things. Before I get to the list, let me recount a pretty retarded incident I witnessed in a spin class that could have been avoided had people actually followed some of these rules.

Basically, I went to a mid-day ride that shockingly is so packed that there is a waiting list. The lights go off, and we begin our ride. Two bikes are empty, two people were waiting. One bike was in a spot that is not readily accessible unless you go to the front of the room and walk down an aisle of cycles; this is counter intuitive because it would be much easier get to by walking behind a row of bikes, but there really is no room for that. In any case, one guy on the waitlist decided to do the unthinkable and squeeze behind the bikes to get to one of the empties. There is really no room, so as he slid behind my bike, my peddle hit him, and I’ll be damned if that didn’t leave a mark. Anyway, he limps to his bike, and starts cycling.

In another two minutes, someone else comes into the room, and stands beside me, trying to get the attention of the guy who I had accidentally hit (it was his fault though). She basically gets him to get off the bike, and then starts trying to figure out how to get to it. This is when the spin instructor notices what is going on and gets PISSED. He SLAMS the stereo off, and SLAMS the lights on, and looks like he is about EXPLODE. The thing is, he was absolutely in the right, though killing someone, which is what he looked like he might do, would have been going too far.

Printing out a list of “Studio Cycling Etiquette” might seem a little bit excessive, to the average person, but incidents like the one I just described make it pretty darn reasonable.

Here are the rules:

• DO consult your physician before beginning any exercise program
• DO follow advance sign-up policies as indicated on the Group Fitness Schedule
• DO sign up only for yourself. Reserving space for others is not permitted
• DO arrive at least 5 minutes early to set up your bike. Those late for class risk forfeiting their bike to waitlisted participants
• DO inform the instructor at the beginning of the class if you need to leave early
• DO tell the instructor if you are new to class or have any medical considerations, including injuries, pregnancy, or special medications that might require exercise modifications
• DO modify the workout as needed and appropriate. If you have a medical condition that prevents you from following the routine, inform the instructor and choose a bike at the rear of the studio
• DO go at your own pace and wear a heart-rate monitor. (These are highly recommended!) If you feel faint or dizzy, slowly stop pedaling, pull up on the resistance knob brake to stop the momentum of the wheel and carefully dismount the bike
• DO wear cycling shoes or athletic footwear with hard soles. Clipless SPD and LOOK compatible triple-link pedals are available on most bikes or you can wear athletic footwear and use cages
• DO store personal belongings and change into your footwear in the locker room or just outside the cycling studio. Please do not walk barefoot through the facility
• DO set up your bike properly to fit your body. Adjust your seat height, fore/aft position, handlebar height and position of foot on the pedal. Request assistance from your instructor as needed.
• DO keep your bottles and towels on the bike
• DO turn your cell phone to off or silent during class
• DO maintain control of your pedal stroke, and keep some resistance on your bike at all times. Increase and decrease resistance and/or speed, as directed by the instructor, to match the workout profile
• DO not dismount the bike while the fly-wheel is in motion. Stop the bike by using the brakes and carefully dismount the bike
• DO stay for cool-down and stretching, as they are important components of class
• DO inform the instructor or management of any issues regarding your bike so that proper maintenance can be performed before the next class
• DO wipe your bike free of your sweat and raise the seat and handle bars all the way up to prevent rusting
• DO be considerate of your fellow members and refrain form taking back to back classes during primetime club hours
• DO be sure to attend the classes that you like regularly and become part of their success
• DO view up-to-date schedules, published quarterly and for most major holidays
• DO consult the Group Fitness Hotline at the club location for a daily listing of the classes, instructions, and substitutes
• DO have a great ride