I hear that spinning classes can be beneficial to fitness, but I don’t want to pay for a gym membership. Can I create my own spinning routines on my home exercise bike?
Neill Archer, Norwich

Matt Hart answers: Crudely speaking, yes, but it’s unlikely to be as effective or enjoyable as using proper equipment in a motivating ‘classroom’ situation. Spinning bikes are built with a very heavy flywheel, which takes some stopping once you get it turning. You’re also in a fixed gear, so it won’t allow you to stop pedalling. Add the music, fellow riders and a psychotic instructor and you’re pretty much guaranteed a good workout. Perhaps if you bought your own spinning bike and a serious stereo system you’d be halfway there.