recumbent indoor cycle for inclusive indoor cycling classes

Would a few of these recumbents make your class more inclusive?

Would you agree that Indoor Cycles are a poor method/modality of exercise - for some populations?

There's a long list of people who would never consider participating in our classes, or even riding an indoor cycle alone at home. There's a bunch of reasons:

  • Physical limitations
  • Obese/overweight
  • Existing injury
  • Just plain afraid of that skinny, little, bicycle saddle 🙁

So, would it make sense to add a few recumbent cycles to your studio?

The reason I'm asking is because I met a great guy at this past IHRSA convention. John Kennedy's company, Cascade Health and Fitness, manufactures that recumbent cycle pictured above. He shared his idea to incorporate recumbent indoor cycles, into a traditional indoor cycling class, to accommodate people who won't or can't ride a conventional Indoor Cycle. I'll admit, at first it sounded like a crazy idea to me. But the more I thought about the potential to make our classes more accessible I got excited.

That would mean more butts-in-seats = people exercising. I'm all for that!

The first place I can see recumbents making a positive impact is in Parkinson's Cycling Classes. Parkinson's Cycling Coach Kathy Helmuth has taught me that many people suffering with PD have physical limitations.

The symptomatic relief that comes from cycling isn't available to someone who can't ride a typical cycle. A recumbent is completely different; a big comfy seat that sits low and a step-through frame that anyone who can stand should be able to mount. I think this could be a way to make PD cycling classes more inclusive. Awesome!

What about your run-of-the-mill cycling class? Would a recumbent work there too?

I've got no idea, so let's find out!

We're conducting an experiment

We're looking for two studios to participate in a trial to see what happens when you add a few recumbents to a cycling studio. John has offered two of their recumbents at no cost + you'll keep them in the end.

In exchange they're asking that you:

  • Install the recumbents in your studio and make them available in as many classes as possible.
  • Experiment with different class formats, profiles, cuing, etc. You'll be charting new territory here and I'm happy to help you as much as possible.
  • Actively promote this new accommodation to your customers - running the trial to see what happens for two months.
  • At the end of the trial you will be interviewed by me on my podcast We will explore what worked and what didn't, your ideas for improvements, etc...
  • You'll provide a few short video interviews, where you discuss these classes with your actual participants.

Is this something you'd consider?

Then contact me and we'll discuss next steps.

 

Originally posted 2015-04-13 15:44:38.

John

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