Read 61 times since Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Indoor cycling, as an organised activity, is a form of exercise with classes focusing on endurance, strength, intervals, high intensity (race days) and recovery, that involve using a special stationary exercise bicycle with a weighted flywheel in a classroom setting.
Group indoor cycling was invented by ultra-endurance cyclist and martial artist Jonathan "Johnny G" Goldberg. He developed the concept of indoor cycling in the 1980s when, after a near collision training outdoors at night, he designed and had fabricated a sturdy indoor cycle utilising a large mass braked flywheel to simulate actual road conditions. He opened his first 'Spinning Studio' in Santa Monica CA in 1989. The concept was successful.
Subsequently in 1994, a trademarked program (Spinning) was introduced by Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc, a company founded by Goldberg and fellow cyclist and businessman John Baudhuin. Goldberg, following illness, has now ceased involvement with the company and Baudhuin continues as President/CEO. The terms 'Spin', 'Spinning', Spinner and the 'Spinning logo' are all registered trademarks owned by Mad Dogg Athletics inc and should not be used as the generic term for indoor cycling. The commercial Spinner bikes are currently manufactured under licence by Star Trac based in Irvine, California.
Between 1995 and 2001 the Schwinn Bicycle Company were the first bike manufacturing partner licenced to produce the 'Spinning' range of bikes. Nautilus Fitness, (formally Direct Focus Inc) purchased the rights to the Schwinn cycle company in 2001 the partnership was dissolved. Nautilus continue to conduct a similar training programme on some continents.
New Zealand based Les Mills 'FitPro' markets a training system 'RPM' (Raw Power in Motion), which utilises a higher pedal cadence, lower resistance and frequent changes of position/tempo using a 'FitPro' approved range of cycles with a lighter weight flywheel. Licensed users are required to play music provided under the conditions of the product licence and perform fixed routines for each class. Each numbered 'release' has new music and a fixed routine dictated by 'FitPro'. Each release lasts three months and then is updated.
Indoor cycling, static bicycle health regimen. United Kingdom. Classes generally use specialized stationary bicycles. Features include a mechanical device to modify the difficulty of pedalling, specially shaped handlebars, and multiple adjustment points to fit the bicycle to a range of riders. Many have a weighted flywheel which simulates the effects of inertia and momentum when riding a real bicycle.
The pedals are equipped with toe clips as on sports bicycles to allow one foot to pull up when the other is pushing down. They may alternatively have clip less receptacles for use with cleated cycling shoes. Padded shorts aid comfort and avoid the chafing caused by the sewn seams in underwear. Drivenandridden.co.uk discuss spinning
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