Ok, so Schwinn has introduced their new bike that includes magnetic resistance and Power indication (Watts readout) and are rolling it out at this year's IDEA conference. Jay Blahnik is heading up their programing. (Yes, I'm working to get him on the Podcast…)
So where is the Spinning – Star Trac bike with power and watts? Or for that matter LeMond's?
I have a hard time believing that Mad Dogg / Spin Fitness would cede this ground to their competitors. Indoor Cycling 2.0 is going to happen, with or without Spinning's involvement. It will be fun to watch it happen!
Gene over at Global Ride has a whole studio full of new Keiser M3's with power and he is leveraging all that information in a way that is increasing his participants fitness and enjoyment.
Schwinn introduced their new A C Performance Indoor Cycle bike at last months IHRSA convention.
The addition of Power – Watts measurement to an IC bike can best be described as Indoor Cycling 2.0â„¢, where we transition from Exercising (not measurable) to Training (fully measurable). If you have participants who have come to your class for years, without any real improvement, Indoor Cycling 2.0â„¢ may be the answer they are looking for.
Here is a link to more information. What has me excited is what they are calling Virtual Contactâ„¢ Resistance Technology – this innovative system utilizes magnets and an aluminum disk to generate resistance. It sounds a lot like Keiser's magnet system, which I feel is superior to any friction based resistance system
Your ICI Podcast Host is hot after them for an interview and I hope to feature the Schwinn A C Performance bike and Schwinn's (new?) Instructor Certification program on a future episode
Here is my solution to one of my biggest frustrations: watching someone ride with little or no resistance. Bikes like the Keiser M3, Cycleops Pro 300PT and the new Schwinn A.C. Performance indoor cycle offer “Power” measurements that show how much actual work your are creating, but typical Indoor Cycling Bikes offer nothing.
So what do you do when you are stuck with a room full of Spinner NXTs? Watch the video for a simple method that anyone can use to measure the relative amount of work done in class.
Find a sheet of mailing labels, paint it with a flat spray paint.
IMPORTANT! Check to see where the resistance pad makes contact with the flywheel so it doesn't remove the lable. New Spinners and LeMonds come down from the top so the label needs to be placed like on the video. Newer Schwinn bikes & Johnny G bikes the pads grip from each side so the label goes on the outer face.
Let me know what you think about this by leaving a comment below.
My thermometer is old and doesn't seem to be available anymore.
