The benefits of indoor cycling

Section 1: Indoor cycling

Indoor cycling is a popular group exercise class. It has had a place on most fitness facility timetables for the best part of three decades, and this popularity has only increased with the success of track and road cycling in the UK. For those not wishing to brave the outdoors, and the expense of outdoor cycling, an instructor-led indoor class performed to music is ideal. Indoor cycling is known by many names e.g. spinning/indoor cycling/RPM. Since 1992 the word Spinning® has been a registered trademark. There are other companies that have their own trademark for the cycle activity known as Spinning®. E.g. Les Mills has registered the trademark RPM™, which is a contraction of Raw Power in Motion. Les Mills defines RPM™ in the following way: RPM™ is the indoor cycling workout where you ride on an indoor cycle to the rhythm of powerful music. So whether you should use the word Spinning®, RPM™ or indoor cycling comes down to what cycle, instructor and training program you use. However, when it comes down to the actual cycle activity that the word Spinning®, RPM™ or indoor cycling refers to, there is no difference. Indoor cycling is the unbranded term and how it will be referred as throughout this manual.

As mentioned above there are various versions of indoor cycling classes. Les Mills’ RPM is a scripted choreographed cycle class with set terrains for each track. Most classes are 45 minutes long. Every instructor that completes a Les Mills training course is told when a new set of scripted choreography is going to launch and they are expected to learn and then deliver the class as prescribed.

During this qualification you will develop your knowledge and skills to be able to plan and deliver freestyle indoor cycling sessions. This means there are no set profiles or pre-determined choreographed tracks to follow. However, in order for your classes to be safe and effective you must plan your sessions in advance.

The benefits of indoor cycling

• Indoor cycle classes are suitable for everyone and cater for any level of skill and ability. People of completely different fitness levels can ride side-by-side and all feel the benefits of the workout.

• Cycling is non-impact and so is often a good option for people suffering from any form of arthritis or joint degeneration in the lower limb, whilst still allowing them to reach high levels of cardiovascular work.

• Indoor cycling is versatile and can be used to promote fitness, fat loss, social enhancement and well-being. A 45-minute indoor cycling workout can burn 350- 600+ calories.

Physical benefits

The physical benefits of indoor cycling include: • improved cardiovascular efficiency

• improved respiratory efficiency

• improved muscular strength and endurance