Spinning... ?!

My good friend JY has become an instructor for "Spinning". I think that's really cool. However, I have no idea where that name for this activity comes from. What the hell is "Spinning"? To me it's the old joke about a kid with a bucket on his head making himself so dizzy he runs into a wall and knocks himself out. Or, maybe it's something to do with a guy named Rumplestiltskin. I just don't know how it applys to a bunch of people on stationary bikes. What part of them is spinning exactly? I used to ride bikes alot. I rode from Huntsville, AL to Mobile, AL (365 miles) once just for kicks, but I don't recall ever spinning while doing it.

Gyros spin, tops spin, the Earth spins, but people on stationary bikes don't spin, they pedal. Pedalling turns the sprocket which, through a chain, belt, or system of gears causes the wheel of a bicycle to rotate, or ...well... spin, but the person isn't spining, the wheel is. So why is it called spinning when it's an exercise regime performed by pedalling? It's really more accurate to call it resistance training right? Because isn't that what you do in a Stationary Bike exercise class? You simulate hills and level ground through varying resistance and pace? So shouldn't it be Stationary Bike Resistance Training? SBRT? If you say it quickly it almost sounds like Sport (but with more of an 'er' sound)

I tried to look it up - "Spinning" I mean. It's not included in any dictionary. Websters has the following definitions:

Main Entry: spin

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English spinnen, from Old English spinnan; akin to Old High German spinnan to spin and perhaps to Lithuanian spesti to set (a trap)

intransitive verb

1 : to draw out and twist fiber into yarn or thread

2 : to form a thread by extruding a viscous rapidly hardening fluid -- used especially of a spider or insect

3 a : to revolve rapidly : GYRATE b : to feel as if in a whirl : REEL

4 : to move swiftly especially on or as if on wheels or in a vehicle

5 : to fish with spinning bait : TROLL

6 a of an airplane : to fall in a spin b : to plunge helplessly and out of control

7 : to engage in spin control (as in politics)

transitive verb

1 a : to draw out and twist into yarns or threads b : to produce by drawing out and twisting a fibrous material

2 : to form (as a web or cocoon) by spinning

3 a : to stretch out or extend (as a story) lengthily : PROTRACT -- usually used with out b : to evolve, express, or fabricate by processes of mind or imagination

4 : to cause to whirl : impart spin to

5 : to shape into threadlike form in manufacture; also : to manufacture by a whirling process

6 : to set (records or compact discs) rotating on a player : PLAY

7 : to present (as information) with a particular spin

Now some of you may latch onto the 'transitive verb' definition number 4. Sorry, no. That only refers to applying "spin" as a verb, not Spinning the proper noun. Here's the actually Websters definition of 'Spinning'

Main Entry: spinning

Function: noun

: a method of fishing in which a lure is cast by use of a light flexible rod, a spinning reel, and a light line

Hmmm.... no mention of exercise. If you look up "exercise" you will see it is a noun, not a verb. If you look up a form of exercise with a proper title like say... Aerobics, you will see it is in the dictionary and also a noun.

Therefore, if "Spinning" is a proper title for a "form of exercise" then it's name must be a noun, but it's not in a dictionary with the other exercise programs such as aerobics, etc.

Okay, I'm narrowing it down. So, I went to http://www.spinning.com/ to see what I could see.

As it turns out, Spinning is not spinning at all. It's actually SPINNING which is a trademark name for a course of exercise and exercise products based on indoor cycling.

Indoor cycling? The bikes, excuse me, the SPINNERs don't move right? So shouldn't it be Stationary Cycling? There are indoor cycling tracks after all where people go with bikes that move when pedalled, and can't the SPINNERs be placed outside for the classes if you really wanted to? I don't know, I couldn't find that answer on the website.

So, if we sit on a SPINNER and pedal it, then it's called SPINNING? Um... actually, no. According to Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc. (owner of the SPINNING trademark), they say SPINNING should not be used as a verb or a noun, or to refer to a stationary/indoor exercise class that isn't using or taught by real SPINNER equipment and certified SPINNING instructors. It's simply a trademark, but it can be used for referring to the SPINNING exercise program. So people in a SPINNING class are not Spinners or Spinning right? Yep. They are just indoor (stationary) cyclers on SPINNERS taking a SPINNING course.

Alright, well I've beaten this subject enough. In my quest for knowledge I have learned how to not use a trademark as a noun or verb, but to apply it in simulated-noun form when refering to it's trademarked um.... thingy, and related certified equipment and materials while simultaneously not refering to those people utilizing said trademark thingies in any simulated-noun trademark related fashion. er... yeah. Someting like that.

All I can say now is, JY if you read this, if you head back south, I'll be signing up (at least for the winter months). :-)