ICI/PRO Member and Contributor Barbara Hoots was featured in her local paper the Albany Herald
“From the lighting to the music to the actual cycling, it’s a total experience. No one wins in a spin class. It’s not about competition.”
Hoots should know. She took a local spinning class shortly after outdoor enthusiast Johnny Goldberg (“Johnny G”) and his good friend John Baudhuin (who co-founded Mad Dogg Athletics) came up with the concept circa 1992, but her passion wasn’t ignited until she made several trips to Miami to train under master instructors.
When she fell for spinning, she went all in.
SPINNING A NEW LOOK
“I came back to Albany and asked Tony if he’d give us some space for a spinning room,” Hoots said. “He had an area that I think had been for women only that he said we could use. I recruited John Medlin, who’s a phenom with a skill saw, to redesign the room and started negotiating with others who could help with the makeover.
“We redid the whole room – the look, the lighting, the sound system – added a few more bikes and once we found acceptance in the community, we couldn’t keep people out. Now we have a waiting list for all our classes.”
Powell, who opened Tony’s 29 years ago this May, has seen every fitness fad and fashion that’s made the rounds come and go at his popular gym. But he says he’s never quite seen anything go over the way spinning has since Hoots’ program evolved into a local craze.
“We’ve offered spinning here since it started; I think we started with 15 or so bikes,” he said. “It did OK, but once Barbara started teaching and making changes to our spinning room, it’s just become a phenomenon. It’s such a unique activity; from the atmosphere of the class to the state-of-the-art sound system, spinning is the total fitness experience.
“Spin classes here have become the hottest ticket in town. If you don’t get to a class a little early, you’re not going to get a seat. And we’re up to 55 bikes.” Read the rest if the story.
You can learn more about Barbara – Spinning Indoor Cycling Studio Design
John is a member on the AFS (Association of Fitness Studios) Advisory Council.
Holding certifications from; Schwinn, Heart Zones, Team ICG and Life Time Fitness, John's held regularly scheduled cycling classes between 1998 and 2015 when he moved to Florida.
When the weather permits, you'll find him riding and leading outdoor groups by himself or with his Tandem partner (wife) Amy.
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Not surprised at all, Barbara – you are a “phenom” in your own right! Congratulations on the great feedback and recognition – you deserve it!
You are amazing Barbara! It’s all about the passion, the fire that spreads and reaches anyone nearby. Keep the fire going Barbara!