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Fitness Technology



Uffe A Olesen

As BODY BIKE marks its 27th birthday, its CEO celebrates his own milestone of 20 years with the company. He takes a walk down memory lane with Kate Cracknell.

APProved by you

We asked you to tell us about your favourite indoor cycling apps. In no particular order, here’s what you voted for…

Clothing for when it matters

In Denmark, Fusion Sportswear System puts functionality before fashion to create “clothing for when it matters”. CMO Troels Vest Jensen speaks to RIDE HIGH about zero compromises, world records and a commitment to sustainability.

Mobile vs Console

When it comes to indoor cycling, what is the future of onboard technology? Will consoles stand the test of time or will mobile phones take over? RIDE HIGH asks the suppliers for their initiatives and predictions.

Trending now

What’s hot in the world of indoor cycling? RIDE HIGH shares its top 10 trends for 2023

Legend has it

How has indoor cycling evolved over the years, and what does the future hold? We caught up with industry legends Emma Barry and Steven Renata at BODY BIKE’s recent 25th birthday celebrations

Bebe Ding

In 2014, the Ding siblings – Bebe, Calvin and Valerie – set out to bring a US-style boutique cycling vibe to Singapore. Their CRU brand has since gone from strength to strength, spanning multiple disciplines and locations, a digital platform, a US presence and plans to expand across south-east Asia. CRU’s master trainer and co-founder speaks to Kate Cracknell.

Align Your Stars

In an omnichannel world, every health club operation should be putting content at the heart of its user experience, says Wexer CEO Paul Bowman – and clubs’ in-house stars are the magic ingredient.

A New Cohort

In the aftermath of lockdown, there’s a whole new community of people who turned to indoor cycling as a way to stay fit while stuck at home. How do we now encourage these individuals to come and sample the in-person experience? We ask the experts.

Power Play

Heart rate, RPM, power zones… Which training method should your club or studio use in its indoor cycling classes, and why? For Peaks Coaching Group founder and CEO Hunter Allen, it’s all about power. He shares his thoughts with RIDE HIGH.

Alejandro Ramos

Launched as a cycling studio in Mexico City in 2015, Síclo now has ambitions to become the world’s largest wellness community for the Spanish-speaking market. Its CEO and co-founder speaks to Kate Cracknell.

And breathe…

After 18+ months characterised by mask-wearing and recoiling from anyone who coughs even just once, we are – all of us – far more attentive to the quality and cleanliness of the air we’re breathing. Always an important consideration for small, enclosed spaces like cycling studios, air circulation has now become even more of a focal point. Because it isn’t just about smell or temperature any more. It’s about disease control – and members’ perception of the risk.

Inspired by COVID. Designed for the future.

Lockdown caused organisations across the fitness sector to pivot their business models to meet new and emerging needs – but in many cases, the changes are here to stay. We take a look at three initiatives, inspired by COVID but with long-term ambitions, that spotlight the opportunities our sector has seized from the jaws of the crisis.

Ben Karoonkornsakul

Rhythm cycling is experiencing huge growth in south-east Asia, spurring The Absolute Group to expand into an at-home model and a franchised, standalone virtual concept. Its founder and CEO Ben Karoonkornsakul speaks to Kate Cracknell.

A State of Ride

As we continue our superstar instructor series, we speak to Matty Clarke, the co-founder and frontman of A STATE OF RIDE – a new programme, born in the fires of COVID, that’s eyeing up global growth both in and out of club.

Artificial intelligence. Real results.

Pitch-perfect marketing, optimised class schedules, fine-tuned instructor line-ups… The opportunities presented by AI might seem too good to be true, but this is all achievable now, driving improved revenues and retention. AI expert Ian Mullane explains.

The Outside, Inside

Waiting for the technology to catch up, so fully immersive environments can transform all of our indoor workout experiences. Charles Pearce, founder of Immersive Gym, outlines his vision to Kate Cracknell

Jeff Veldhuizen

The future of indoor cycling is a convergence of fitness, equipment and the metaverses of the video gaming world, says the CEO of Expresso Fitness. He talks to Kate Cracknell.

The future of indoor cycling

What does the next year – and beyond – hold for the indoor cycling sector, both in and out of club? Our expert panel share their fascinating insights

The three arenas of ACTIC

With a new collection of concept classes, a new app and an evolution of its outdoor offering just three of its hot-off-the-press initiatives, the 177-club ACTIC Group is set to explode out of the blocks in 2021. Group training product manager Jessica Tito Martins speaks to Kate Cracknell

The word from New Zealand

With New Zealand a fair way ahead of many markets on the COVID recovery curve, we were keen to learn what might be coming down the line for the rest of us. We turned to Auckland-based Sam Aldred for his insights into the current NZ state of play.

Mix & Match

Cycling fusion classes can be a great way to add ‘bang to your buck’, creating workouts that keep bodies and minds guessing and members engaged. We talk to those successfully offering exactly this style of class.

The pain-reducing power of VR

Studies show how use of virtual reality and immersive content can reduce perceptions of effort levels, and even muscle pain, during high-intensity cycling classes

On the fly

Why did Town Sports International want to buy Flywheel, why did Flywheel want to be bought, and what does all this mean for the sector as a whole? Kate Cracknell investigates

Cycling Takeaways

In the second of a two-part series exploring the boom in at-home indoor cycling, global fitness industry observer Emma Barry shares 15 thought-provoking insights into current trends – and the shape of the future

Fitness, reinvented

Virtual reality has the potential to revolutionise fitness and democratise indoor cycling – and gyms will have no choice but to embrace the technology. Holodia’s Shahin Lauritzen speaks to Kate Cracknell

Oliver Schulokat

Operators’ “blissful ignorance” is threatening the future of the gym sector – but virtual reality, cinematic studios and a new model that spans in-club and at-home could save it. Oliver Schulokat, the CEO of CYBEROBICS talks to Kate Cracknell.

Home Delivery

From IPOs to product launches to new content streaming partnerships, the world of at-home cycling is hot hot hot – and it’s only just getting started. Kate Cracknell reports.

A connected fitness ecosystem

Mike Rounding, product manager for ANT+, talks to Kate Cracknell about the wireless ecosystem that’s helping exercisers get the workout data they want, whatever device they choose to use

Why health is the future of fitness

Switching focus from selling memberships to a broader health agenda. Moris Lahdo, CEO of ACTIVIO, has strong views on what the fitness industry must do to survive the advent of Apple and Google. He speaks to Kate Cracknell

Peloton: ‘A category of one’

Everyone’s talking about Peloton: the brand whose powerful combination of at-home bike and live-streamed classes has taken the fitness sector by storm. But what’s its secret, and what happens next? Kevin Cornils, Managing Director International for Peloton, speaks to Kate Cracknell

The sport of indoor cycling

Philippe Moity, president and co-founder of Kinomap, tells Kate Cracknell about his plans to get indoor cycling recognised not just as a form of exercise, but as a real sport that happens indoors

The heart of the matter

Heart rate training has been a buzzword over recent years, but what are the benefits of this form of training, and who’s doing it really well? Kate Cracknell speaks to Myzone CEO Dave Wright

The future of indoor cycling

Personalising experiences, harnessing influencers and competing with Peloton. The future of fitness is digital – and it needn’t be intimidating. Indeed, technology offers health club operators the chance to grow and future-proof their businesses. Paul Bowman, CEO of digital fitness specialist Wexer, speaks to Kate Cracknell

Activio goes Europe

Everybody who’s joined a good indoor cycle class knows what good looks like and feels like. The team spirit, to love the music and to get that sense of accomplishment and the feeling of freedom while you give it your all. To know exactly what your performance is, will only add to the cycling addiction.

Steamy spinning class, no sweat!

Let’s face it, instructing a cycling class could be the sweatiest job on the planet! I remember attending the Nike Show in Copenhagen some 10+ years ago. The organisers had covered the polished gym floor with 60 sheets of plywood, one for each bike. At the end of each session they were all soaking wet. That is the environment that we have to work with as Audio System designers and installers!

Conceived, powered and funded by BODY BIKE®, RIDE HIGH has a simple mission: to celebrate and champion the very best of indoor cycling, sharing ideas, stories and experiences from around the world to inspire the sector on to even bigger and better things. Subscribe for free by leaving your details below and we'll send indoor cycling's hottest news direct to your inbox three times a year.

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