In a Spinning® class, many factors are controlled by the participant. One of the most important factors is the riders’ perception of work effort, otherwise known as their rating of perceived exertion. Different factors can change both heart rate and perceived effort, so it’s important to use perceived exertion in conjunction with heart rate training. Each rider needs to set individual heart rate zones and monitor effort, since participants come in with different goals, needs and fitness levels. This workshop discusses perceived exertion and the determination of different levels on a specific rating scale: it’s a calculated estimation that is “more than a feeling.”