Interviews
Shine Brunei
How many studios can say they have members who come every day, often more than once a day? Kate Cracknell talks to the team behind Shine Cycle and Shine X to discover the secrets of success at this community-focused studio
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.
United Fitness Brands
In 2021, Joe Cohen, Robert Rowland and Hilary Rowland co-founded United Fitness Brands (UFB), bringing together their respective businesses – KOBOX and Boom Cycle – as the first step in creating a new ‘supergroup’ of boutiques. They update Kate Cracknell on the story so far.
Reclaiming The Crown
In January 2022, a team of cycling enthusiasts from Australia reclaimed what they considered to be ‘their’ Guinness World Record – for Longest Static Cycling Class. Kevin Moultrie, the man behind the motion, talks to RIDE HIGH.
Simi Williams
Launching a new business is always a challenge, but add in a career change, relocation, economic downturn, COVID and first-time motherhood and many might have deemed it a challenge too far. Not so Simi Williams, the powerhouse behind Beyond Fitness, Lagos’s trailblazing new boutique. She speaks to Kate Cracknell.
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.
The making of a rockstar
What does it take to be a rockstar instructor? It’s one of those things, isn’t it: we all know when someone is one, but it’s hard to pin down exactly why – what the ingredients are that make up their ‘secret sauce’. Here, our panel of experts explain what they think it takes to be a group exercise superstar.
We have lift-off
This summer, Apollo Travel Group opened the doors to a new sports and fitness hotel in Greece, hosting the Swedish Winter Olympics team the moment Greek tourism re-opened for business. Apollo Sports’ Daniel Giray speaks to Kate Cracknell.
Nothing is impossible
‘The word impossible’ shouldn’t exist in the dictionary, says indoor cycling enthusiast Nuno Ribeiro. He tells Kate Cracknell why cerebral palsy wasn’t enough to stop him becoming an instructor.
Tim Graham
At Integrity Group Fitness Studios in Ballarat, Australia, AV technology is pushed to its limits – and beyond – in a quest to create the ultimate member experience. Its co-founder speaks to Kate Cracknell
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.
Riding for Brain Health
A recent cycling event raised over £58,000 for newly formed charity Head for Change – but cycling isn’t just a way to raise money for Alix Popham, the former Welsh rugby international. It’s also part of a daily routine designed to slow his own cognitive decline. He speaks 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.
Third Space
From signature concepts to pop-up outdoor venues to connectivity between gym floor, GX studio and the home, Chris Stanton and Susie Millen – performance master trainer and cycle master trainer for Third Space – give the low-down on the brand’s cycle programme.
Puk Lyng Thomsen
A leading light in the Danish ladies’ golf team, Thomsen is currently fighting her way back into the game after major surgery – and indoor cycling is proving a great ally. She speaks to Kate Cracknell
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
Redefining fitness
Influencer, author, podcast host, cycling instructor, personal trainer – and passionate advocate of intuitive movement. The irrepressible Tally Rye speaks to Kate Cracknell
Setting the world on fire
Founded in Malaysia in 2015, boutique brand FIRE Fitness is now looking to expand globally through an innovative licensing model. Kate Cracknell reports
Joey Gonzalez
Rebranding, RIDE and a transformation inspired by COVID. The CEO of global boutique megabrand Barry’s speaks to Kate Cracknell about 2020’s rollercoaster ride
Heart & soul
From star of the stage to star of the SoulCycle studio. Lauren Naomi, one of SoulCycle’s top London instructors, shares her story with Kate Cracknell
Styles Studios Fitness
Carrie Kepple and Amy Styles have created a new ‘health club of boutiques’ model, and their club’s COVID journey speaks volumes about the power of community. They speak to Kate Cracknell
Get the world grooving
In the first of our rockstar instructor series, GrooveCycle founder SJ Aboboto explains how a background in dance shaped a cycling concept where results are measured on the breadth of your smile
Humphrey Cobbold
PureGym will expand globally through a multi-brand approach, but that won’t involve a boutique format, as its CEO explains to Kate Cracknell
Something in the air
Ventilation. It might not be the first thing you think of for your cycle studio, but it can make or break the experience. Thomas Rasmussen of Air-Tekniq talks Tine Haslund through the ‘need to know’ details
Music maestros
Licensing music for group exercise playlists can be a complex process, especially when you’re negotiating global rights. Josh James and Kendall Farmer of the Les Mills music team talk us through the process
Esben Dalgaard Andersen
The well-known Danish actor regularly has to gain or lose 30kg for his roles. He shares his diet and exercise secrets with Kate Cracknell
JJ Sweeney
From elite trainer to co-founder of Celebrity Fitness to founder of new health club brand Paradigm, JJ Sweeney tells Kate Cracknell about his journey through fitness, and how his experiences have led to the creation of his perfect club
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
Rick Crawford
As the needs and demands of exercisers continue to diversify, there’s a growing pressure to segment the fitness offering – and this is exactly what Nuffield Health has done with its cycling programme. The operator’s head of fitness speaks to Kate Cracknell
Colin Grant
Immersive, gamified cycling; sleep as the next wellbeing trend; and the launch of an in-club boutique concept. The founder and CEO of Asia’s Pure Group talks 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.
Ralph Butzin
World record-breaking events, thousands donated to charity, and an appeal to instructors to leave their egos at the door. Ralph Butzin – founder of Germany’s National Cycling Academy and one of the country’s Spinning pioneers – speaks to Kate Cracknell.
The power of the Brand
A strong brand can be the difference between business success and failure in a crowded market – but many fitness businesses still fail to recognise this, says Peter van der Steege, founder and CEO of branding specialist Fitbrand. He speaks to Kate Cracknell.
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
Phillip Mills
The vital importance of appealing to millennials, the secret of Peloton’s success, and the best cycling boutiques in the world. The founder and MD of Les Mills International 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
Matthew Allison
Space Cycle, the cycling boutique that’s redefining millennial fitness in Asia, is eyeing expansion across the major cities of China – and beyond, through new strategic partnerships. Its founder talks to Kate Cracknell.
James Balfour
The co-founder of London boutique operator 1Rebel talks to Kate Cracknell about its ground-breaking new cycling amphitheatre
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
Johnny G the inventor of spinning
The inventor of Spinning talks to Kate Cracknell about his new bike, his desire to keep moving the industry forward, and the vital importance of engaging your mind whenever you’re moving
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
Business is Boom-ing
When Boom Cycle launched in 2011, with its ‘party on a bike’ classes that made fitness fun, it blazed a trail in the London boutique studio scene. Now operating four studios across London, it remains one of the city’s leading cycling brands. Its founders, Robert and Hilary Rowland, speak to Kate Cracknell.
