There was some self-delusion to go along with lots of new fitness products and services.
There were a few things of interest at IHRSA this year that I'd like to tell you about:
NOTE: I completely overestimated my available time to write my review of the Stages SC3 = I hope to have it completed by Sunday… but don't wait for me if you're planning to pull the trigger on a studio > The SC3 is a solid IC option and I wouldn't have any reservations recommending it for your new studio.
Recumbent Indoor Cycling Classes?
This banner was the very first thing you saw walking into the LA convention center. My first impression was; “that's dumb… who would ever want to ride a recumbent bicycle in an Indoor Cycling class?”
As I walked past this display I did a double take and then it hit me > there's a huge population of people who are intimidated by the skinny, little seats on Indoor Cycles. Obese/overweight people for starters and you can't forget Seniors. Together they make up a sizable demographic that we are completely missing. They're two groups who would really benefit from the comfort of riding on a recumbent, with its large seat and easy to step through design.
UPDATE 3/16 – you can hear from a fitness director, who's been including recumbents in her classes with great success, in this podcast.
I talked at length with the representative from Cascade Health & Fitness about helping them establish a few beta recumbent cycling locations. They are very motivated to meet with anyone who's interested. Please let me know using our contact page.
Spinning® / Star Trac
There's a belt hiding in there.
Star Trac has expanded their Black Belt option to the full line of commercial Spinner® Indoor Cycles, including the Blade Ion. But you wouldn't know it just by looking at it. Where the NXT carries the “Black Belt” logo on the frame, the Ion has no markings indicating if it's chain or belt drive.
I rode the Ion briefly and my initial impression was that this belt is both quiet and smooth. Yes you're missing the feel of the chain, but whatever they've done, the Ion didn't have the vague/weird feel some bikes using a similar flat belt have.
I discussed the question of, “why not use the Gates toothed belt?” with Mad Dogg Athletic's CEO John Baudhuin. John explained that they had experimented with the Gates belt years ago. What they found was a drive system that uses a heavily weighted flywheel just works better with the flat belt they've chosen. Which makes sense, the brands using the Gates belt (Schwinn/FreeMotion/Stages) all are using a much lighter flywheel.
Schwinn
Schwinn has completely redesigned their Triple Link Indoor Cycling Pedal. No, unfortunately my Red Pedal Tool won't work with the redesigned shoe basket. This pedal has much larger bearings on both ends for increased reliability + they attach using the Morse Taper that's similar the Spinning® pedals.
NOTE: these can only be used with a new Schwinn AC – older versions use conventional 9/16s threaded pedals. I'm waiting on clarity from Schwinn to learn if this new pedal will be offered in a 9/16 threaded version.
There's another upgraded Mpower Echelon (version 2) console and power meter for the AC performance. They've made a substantial number of changes and improvements to the (previously Red) Echelon console and I'm hoping to have a Schwinn representative on the podcast to discuss all of them soon.
Keiser
http://icipromedia.s3.amazonaws.com/Keiser_M3.wmv
Refresh your browser if you're not seeing the video above.
Did you know that the new M3i has a stage/interval timer? I didn't until Amy and I spent some time with Dennis Keiser. While we were chatting I made the suggestion; “you know Dennis, I would really like to have the option to record the average wattage during a short interval… you should consider adding that in the future.” Dennis's response was; “we all ready have it.” We all went over to a M3i and Dennis showed us (video above) how easy it is to start and stop the stage/interval timer > all you need to do is stroke the gear-shift lever all the way down and then back up 🙂
Finally, a nose ring that actually does something… but would you wear it while teaching?
I connect with the ‘gear heads' in my classes by reminding them how our bodies convert a carbon based fuel source (food) into the energy that powers a bicycle. Which is very similar to how the engine in your car creates the power that propels you down the highway, using another carbon based fuel source > gasoline or diesel.
No matter what source of fuel you're using, converting it into useful energy requires Oxygen (O2) and lots of it. Your car needs to ingest 15 pounds of O2 for every one pound of fuel burned. Not surprisingly, you need to breath in & out about the same amount of O2 to burn a pound of your last meal.
What limits the performance of both you and your car, is its ability to efficiently move air in and out.
There's a huge aftermarket industry that sells various components to improve how your car breathes. Now there's Turbine – a new sports breathing device from an Australian company that they say will improve how you breath, potentially increasing your performance.
HOW DOES THE TURBINE ENHANCE MY BREATHING?
Turbine increases airflow through the nose by an average of 38%, helping to reduce the feeling of breathlessness. Simply put, by dilating your nose (even slightly) you can increase the amount of air going in and also, importantly, increase the amount of exhaust air (CO2) you can expel. And, as you know, when you’re going hard, every little bit helps.
Using Turbine allows you to breathe more efficiently with every breath, enabling the body to focus energy on the muscles that need it, when they need it.
When exercising, oxygen is extracted from the air in your lungs, absorbed into the blood stream and circulated to enable muscular contraction. Supplying your exercising muscles with the air they need, has a high energy cost; Turbine may help reduce this. Try it today and find out for yourself.
I tried out a Turbine during the show last week. I was amazed by the instant improvement in my ability to breath comfortably in and out through my nose. I brought home a few samples and will be trying them shortly to see if they can help me ride faster/stronger.
They make a companion product for eliminating snoring, that Amy was excited for me to try. They call it mu:te.
I'm here with Amy at IHRSA 2015 and need to thank Stages Cycling for sponsoring our attendance this year 🙂
We'll be riding these brand new SC3 Indoor Cycles later today (they're still packed in a semi) and will be communicating my initial reactions tomorrow.
For immediate release, March 11, 2015, Boulder, CO– Stages Cycling® extends its brand with the launch of Stages Indoor Cycling and the new SC Series–a line of commercial and high-end retail indoor cycling bikes, which bring an array of breakthrough features to redefine the category of indoor cycling.
The SC Series launches with two models: the flagship, SC3, with many innovations, including the Stages Power® meter–the same power measurement system that reshaped the outdoor cycling power meter category. A second model, the SC2, is the same in all respects but does not include the Stages Power meter.
The SC Series bikes share two never before seen concepts, which have patents pending: SprintShiftâ„¢ and FitLocâ„¢. SprintShift is a dual-action resistance adjustment, which pairs a traditional micro-adjust dial with a three-position macro-adjust lever. The SprintShift lever allows large, consistent jumps in resistance for intervals and rest. FitLoc replaces the standard twist-to-lock pop-pin height adjustments with a new cam operated pop-pin, making fit adjustments for height lightning fast.
These new innovations are paired with the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of the pro-peloton-proven Stages Power meter on the SC3 model, which sports Stages new rider-powered EcoSCRNâ„¢ console. EcoSCRN uses a hub dynamometer, rather than batteries, to make it the ultimate bike for a data driven studio or cyclist. The Stages Power measurement system provides unprecedented accuracy in power measurement, enabling studios the ability to now train their clients ‘indoors and outdoors’ with the same technology.
“The SC Series has the potential to be a benchmark,” said Pat Warner, the product director for Stages Cycling, who spent 20 years working on indoor cycling bikes in the Fitness industry prior to Stages. “We’ve addressed every major issue we’ve ever seen with an indoor bike. SC3 is certainly worthy of our ‘flagship’ status, with features like Stages Power, SprintShift, FitLoc, and our RoadBarâ„¢. But we’ve also nailed the basics on these bikes, and we’re confident that the ride feel, lack of maintenance, and reliability of the bike will be the features that actually set the benchmark for both the facility owner and the instructor.”
Both of Stages Cycling’s flagship SC3 and SC2 bikes utilize the new CarbonGlydeâ„¢ drive system. CarbonGlyde builds on the unparalleled reliability and lack of maintenance offered by Gates® Carbon Driveâ„¢ carbon fiber belt, with a 5:1 gear ratio and high-inertia flywheel to provide for one of the smoothest, most realistic rides available indoors.
“Stages Indoor Cycling is a new company and new brand,” said Jim Liggett, the general manager of Stages Cycling. “We will be attractive to club and studio customers who are seeking to expand their base business within their Indoor Cycling group exercise offering. Our success with Stages Power has passed the test of professional cycling and we offer this, tested, Stages Power meter to indoor athletes. We feel the combination of a completely new bike with uniquely new features, and our Stages Power meter, allows facilities to offer their members the next category breakthrough. Stages Cycling is a company rooted in cycling. Our goal is to help create indoor cycling athletes who can achieve their dreams in fitness or in cycling.”
“We also realize that–while we know and do power better than anyone in the Fitness industry–some cycling studios have a different focus. So we’re bringing the SC series to market with two flagship bikes, one with the Stages Power meter, and one without, so that we’re prepared to meet every indoor rider, and every indoor facility on their own preferred terms.”
Stages Cycling will show the SC Series bike line for the first time publicly in Los Angeles, at the Los Angeles Convention center on March 12 and 13 at Booth 2735 in IHRSA 2015 International Convention and Trade show.
The Stages SC Series bikes will be available both commercially and at retail for home use. For sales information contact:
For North America / Canada Sales inquiries, please contact: Les Wiehe 435-659-9114 lwiehe@stagescycling.com
For International Sales inquiries, please contact: Paddy Murray 781-206-4376 pmurray@stagescycling.com
For Stages Cycling University / Instructor Training, please contact: Cameron Chinatti 615-499-6029 cchinatti@stagescycling.com
For further press and product information, please contact: Laurel Mylin 503-866-8157 lmylin@stagescycling.com
–end–
Stages Cycling® LLC, based in Boulder, CO, with staff having well over 100 years of combined experience in the Commercial Fitness and cycling industries, launched the Stages Power® meter at Interbike in September 2012. The Stages Power meter immediately made waves in the power measurement category. Stages Indoor Cycling delivers the metric that works for every rider, every instructor, every athletic club and every cycling program.
This Where's the Drama app for Spotify gives you a visual representation of the changes in loudness of any track in Spotify's library = changes that many of us will use as cues.
NOTE: for an unknown reason there's no sound for the first 14 secs.
It's super easy to use and there's nothing to download or install.
[wlm_private ‘PRO-Platinum|PRO-Monthly|PRO-Gratis|PRO-Seasonal|Platinum-trial|Monthly-trial|PRO-Military|30-Days-of-PRO|90 Day PRO|Stages-Instructor|Schwinn-Instructor|Instructor-Bonus|28 Day Challenge']
Type in the name of your track > it helps to add additional words (artist) to narrow down the results.
Scroll down to find the correct song & click it
Your track is shown as a graphic > The highlighted area signifies the most dramatic point in the song 🙂
I've been playing with this today, trying to find ways that it could save me time. The first place I've found is to quickly find the GO! point in the songs opening. Here's an example for Rudimental — Right Here – feat. Foxes which I use for a Threshold interval @ 83RPM.
(#1) shows the start point @ 0:24 – between (#2) and (#3) is a 0:43 soft part. Notice how you can quickly see that the song dies with 20 seconds to go? (#4) Where's the Drama looks like a nice tool to ensure your intervals are as long as you intended.[/wlm_private]
Let me know if you find other uses for it + if this would display a complete playlist, in real time, would that help you cue and teach more effectively?
I'm going to look forward to watching Sweat Inc. > a new reality TV show that's scheduled for the Fall of 2015. What sounds like a great opportunity for someone, is a cross between SharkTank and The Apprentice. Jillian Michaels' latest media creation will give aspiring fitness entrepreneurs the chance to show why their new fitness idea, will become the next SoulCycle or P90x …
Sweating to the newbies! Jillian Michaels is teaming up with Spike TV to find the latest fitness craze in a new reality series called Sweat Inc. Tried SoulCycle, Cardio Barre, P90X, Tae-Bo (and many, many more) and think you can do better? You’ll want to sign up for the reality competition.
“We’re gonna filter out the frauds and fads and ultimately we’re going to identify the next fitness phenomenon – someone who has the knowledge and the drive and the determination to build a brand that’s gonna become a household name,” Michaels told advertisers during a March 3 New York City presentation announcing the new show.
Michaels will host the show and, along with two other health and wellness experts, judge 12 aspiring fitness entrepreneurs as they compete to create the next industry phenomenon.
It's not clear how to apply to be on the show. I found it's produced by 3 BALL ENTERTAINMENT 3650 Redondo Beach Avenue Redondo Beach, CA 90278 Office: 424-236-7500
