by Bill Pryor | Dec 2, 2019 | Indoor Cycling Bikes
Bill Pryor from Spynergy Consulting visited the annual IHRSA Show last week to learn what’s new for cycling studio owners and entrepreneurs. Here are some highlights and photos from his report.
“……once I got over the sensory overload, I made a point of visiting all the bike manufacturers to ride the bikes and hear about new trends. I also tried to see what kinds of metrics, programming and video content are out there. I even spent some time with the flooring, lighting, sound system and insurance folks to see if there's anything new studio owners might want to hear about……”
UPDATE: listen to Bill's review of all the indoor cycles at IHRSA.
StarTrac. The market leader in bike sales, they were of course showing the NXT and the Blade which have been recently re-designed (very cool styling.) One of their engineers also walked me through a demo of a new console (measuring power) that will be built into the Blade within the next year. You'll be able to get the Blade with or without a power console.
Schwinn. I also rode the magnetic resistance Schwinn AC and got a close look at their console. Power is measured as well as heartrate, cadence and more. Data from the console can be downloaded to a USB pen drive, or wirelessly transmitted via ANT transmission to a garmin or other device.
New Keiser handlebar
Keiser. A new handlebar design for the Keiser M3 should silence complaints from some smaller riders who had troubles with bike fit. They have an established power console and also numbered resistance which lots of people really like. Performance IQ was co-exhibiting with Keiser…they have a system for projecting on-bike data to a screen so instructors and students can view their data.
RealRyder. This uniquely designed bike with the swaying motion is becoming a favorite with some studio-starter who want to have something to clearly delineate them from the large gyms and health clubs. Optimizing the experience does require some special training for instructors and students, but they make a compelling case about the differences and benefits once folks learn.
Freemotion. These guys are the newest player but have created good buzz as they have made the power console and related programming an integral part of what they provide. The design of their console is well organized and highly readable. At this show, they also introduced a quieter “carbon drive” to make for a more smoother, quieter ride, with good durability
Livestrong. I had not ridden their bike before and found it really comfortable. Outside riders will love the fact that there are a wide range of hand position options including actual “drops”. The bike was cool, but to be honest it was hard to focus on the bike because they were showing it in conjunction with the MyRide virtual ride video system with was absolutely astounding….more on that below.
MyRide video management
Non-Bike Highlight: No matter what bike you have or choose….the good news is that if you want to use a video system, there's an amazing one out there. I have seen a lot of video for indoor cycling classes, but the MyRide systems from Matrix/Livestrong was absolutely stunning. The video itself (multiple terrains and imagery), but also the control system interface. There are systems deployed in Europe, but this is brand, brand new in the U.S. A pilot studio is up in San Francisco.
More on the show and the independent cycling studio phenomenon at the Spynergy Consulting Blog.
Bill Pryor owns a 48 bike studio in the Boston area and is also founder of Spynergy Consulting, helping entrepreneurs launch and develop their businesses.
Originally posted 2012-03-20 12:29:26.
by Bill Pryor | Aug 26, 2019 | Featured Studios
Guess what? Indoor cycling is expanding, and that’s good news for all of us. You are probably well aware that this is one of the most popular group exercises in the world. When they’re done well, these classes are amazingly effective workouts that thrill and inspire participants. While historically, they have been done in large multi-purpose fitness facilities, the exciting news we have discovered at Spynergy Consulting, is that independent cycling studios are on the rise! In 2011 the studio business model really came of age.
We have just completed our first review of independent cycling studios in North America. While there are a relatively small amount, the number is growing, and growing nicely. Our numbers show there are just under 200 dedicated cycling or Spinning® studios in North America, but 40 of those have been launched in the last 12 months alone, and many many more are in the works. There are literally thousands of yoga studios (basically the same model) and we are confident there continues to be huge potential for the committed entrepreneur in indoor cycling.
A dedicated indoor cycling studio for the purposes of our survey, is defined as “a facility where group cycling classes are the primary activity”. Some of these studios do offer classes like yoga or TRX, but their primary activity is indoor cycling or SPINNING®. I have not included cycle-training set up in retail stores or other facilities.
Originally published on the Spynergy Consulting blog, here is a summary of first published data on the independent cycling studio marketplace (remember, this does not include cycling programs conducted at traditional gyms, fitness centers and health clubs).
– Spynergy Consulting estimates there are just under 200 dedicated cycling or SPIN studios in the US and Canada. This number is growing rapidly.
– California has the most studios, followed by New York, New Jersey and Florida
– Other states with 5 or more studios identified include Massachusetts, Minnesota, Ontario and Pennsylvania.
– 26 states have is no identifiable independent, dedicated indoor cycling studio.
– Significant cities where we could not identify a single studio: Atlanta, Portland, Seattle, Cleveland, Sacramento, Charlotte, Columbus, Jacksonville, Indianapolis, San Jose, Memphis, Montreal, Hartford. (Note: if you know a studio in one of these areas please let us know so we can add to our database).
Spynergy Consulting has received hundreds of inquiries from entrepreneurs exploring the dedicated cycling studio model. We have provided business plans, websites and other consulting services to over 110 studio starters and 31 of our clients have launched studios as of this writing. Dozens more are at some stage of launch or development.
Spynergy Consulting owns and operates cycling studios in Boston and Chicago and also provides consulting and business services to fitness studio businesses around the world. Contact Bill Pryor billpryor@comcast.net 781-254-3677
Originally posted 2012-02-02 17:57:49.
by Bill Pryor | Jun 21, 2017 | ICI/PRO Team Member Articles, Your Fitness Business
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You’re passionate about fitness, you love indoor cycling and you may even be an outstanding instructor yourself. You recognize the amazing energy in a great class, and you’ve also seen a lot of poor or mediocre classes that frustrate you. Maybe you’ve wondered if a dedicated studio can make money?
Should you start your own studio? Great questions.
While not nearly as common as yoga studios, there are in fact a good many successful, dedicated cycling studios (and Spin® studios) around the country. We have worked extensively with a number of them, and in the right community, with the right model, these can be tremendous small businesses.
There is nothing more thrilling than waking every day knowing your decisions and actions are building a business, developing a community, making people healthy…….and generating a stream of profits!
Here is the first question we ALWAYS get asked. There is plenty of indoor cycling and Spinning® at gyms and health clubs in my area — why would people go to a new dedicated
studio?
There's now a franchise option to start a profitable indoor cycling studio – learn more by listening to this podcast.
4 reasons cycling studios are successful! – Free Registration Required – Click Here. Opens in a new tab.
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- Dedication.For the same reason there are thousands of successful Yoga studios, despite ample yoga classes at gyms and health clubs — a dedicated studio focuses
on one thing. It pays attention to the details and delivers a more consistently excellent product.
- Atmosphere.
Many people, for a variety of reasons, prefer a small intimate studio
to the feeling of a big gym or health club. As evidence, look at the vast number of Yoga, Pilates and personal training studios — despite the availability of those services at gyms.
- Pricing flexibility.
Studios typically offer a variety of programs including “unlimited classes” or “pay-per-visit”. This variety and flexibility appeals to a broad range of potential clients. This service makes it easy to set up online payments.
- Community.
There is a community spirit in a small studio attended by dedicated cyclists with a common passion.
The notion of a successful, dedicated cycling studio is not just a concept — it is a reality in dozens of instances around the country. That being said, the number is miniscule compared to the opportunity, and there is very likely a need near you.
We’ve launched our own successful studios and worked with cycling studio owners all around the country, using MindBody Online to collect payments. If you’re seriously considering opening an Indoor Cycling studio, we are happy to help you brainstorm through the business planning and development.
For more information, take a peek at www.spynergyconsulting.com or email me at billpryor@comcast.net
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Originally posted 2010-02-19 13:23:40.
by Bill Pryor | Mar 1, 2011 | Engage Your Students, Instructor Training, Latest News
After more than 6 years operating a 46-bike cycling studio in the suburbs of Boston, I have seen a ton of instructors come and go. We’re not a big health club, we are a dedicated indoor cycling studio, so the survival of our business depends on our instructors abilities to fill up classes. Because we have no other source of income for the studio, our definition of a “good” instructor has to be quite pragmatic: If you fill up classes (and don’t do anything unsafe or stupid), you are by definition “good”.
This may sound mercenary, but in fact the instructors that are able to fill classes are the ones who are adept at a) engaging their students and b) providing expert guidance towards a fitness objective. They use a wide range of tools including music, imagery, language and cuing and
all the best ones have a natural ability to vary their workouts. Variety is indeed the spice of life (and of indoor cycling classes)
At our studio, the great instructors are not all alike. In fact many have vastly different styles, and while there is no sure formula for creating an experience that keeps indoor cyclists returning, I have noticed one thing all our best instructors do intuitively: they believe in variety: Variety within a class and variety from class to class.
Everyone knows the benefits of exercise, so what is the one reason we hear again and again why people won’t commit to regular workouts? “It’s boring”. What is the single biggest complaint we here about an instructor that is not drawing in our studio? “They’re boring”. A great instructor’s class is not boring, and one of the primary reasons is because they know intuitively to commit to variety.
Easier said than done of course, but here are some examples of variety from the top-drawing instructors at our studio:
- Vary playlists. Never, ever, use the same playlist twice in the same month. Not only because your regulars will notice, but also because your own energy is not as sharp. If you want to use the profile again, find substitute songs.
- Vary counting and intervals. If you are doing intervals, vary the length or at the least vary the way in which you count them up or down. (i.e. instead of counting down from 20 every time, try counting “one, two, one, three, one, four, etc. etc.” It’s a small thing but it keeps students mentally engaged.
- Vary genres of music. You may love techno or classic rock or pop….but I guarantee someone in your class does NOT. If you play only one genre, you are likely to annoy someone totally. Mixing genres is a great way to assure you find something powerful for virtually everyone and they will tolerate the stuff they’re not crazy about.
- Vary positions: most drills can be done, and most heart rates can be achieved…in or out of the saddle. Technically there is really no reason to ever come out of the saddle — other than the fact that the variety of moving in and out is appealing in an indoor cycling class. Students love it…..but they will get bored with too much work, in our out of the saddle.
Variety is simply more interesting, and more fun. It is an antidote to the worst enemies of working out: drudgery and boredom. What are some other examples of variety you use? I’m hungry for ideas!
by Bill Pryor | Dec 4, 2010 | Your Fitness Business
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Part 1: Are you an entrepreneur?
If it’s done right, a cycling studio can be a profitable and enormously rewarding way to spend your time. After all, what could be better than treating friends and neighbors to a workout that is helping them live a happier and healthier life?
Free Registration Required to continue — Click Here. Opens in a new tab.
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Let’s assume (since you are reading this), that you are a great instructor, or at least a great class participant who can recognize and perhaps even create an amazing SPIN® or indoor cycling class. OK, that’s part one. Do you also have world class people skills? Do you like working weekends and holidays? Can you learn to read and create a basic spreadsheet? Can you be nice and smile to people…..even if they are well, jerks? Are you willing to use a pedal wrench and (god forbid) a mop? Are you a never-say-die optimist?
If you are a great instructor, but said no to any of the above, you may want to stick with teaching that amazing class at local health club. If doing all that and building a community of riders sounds like a dream come true —– you may have what it takes!
Where do you start? You gotta have a business plan. I know the business sounds simple, but if you plan on investing a big chunk of your own, or someone else’s money, you should have something in place that outlines financial, operating, marketing and other factors…..in detail. Just the plan development itself will help you assess the fit with your own skills and personality.
In helping dozens of studio-starters create plans, we have noticed a few common themes: First there is a tendency to over-estimate how rapidly you can expect the customer base to grow. You will not open on day 1 with 30 classes / 30 bikes and 70% occupancy. Won’t happen. Second, there is a tendency to under-estimate expenses. Most business plans we produce have over 35 expense lines. Many are small, but they add up. Best to plan for that and understand how you'll collect class payments online.
That being said, with smart, realistic planning, and with crisp execution — wow, you build something amazing……while making the world a healthier place, one rider at time.
Bill Pryor owns his own 6 year old indoor cycling studio in Wellesley, MA and also provides consulting, business and marketing services to cycling studio entrepreneurs. www.spynergyconsulting.com Podcast #88 goes into an expanded discussion about starting your own a Spinning® Indoor Cycling Studio. You can schedule a free initial consultation with Bill to discuss your fitness business ideas – Email him billpryor@comcast.net
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