Indoor cycling classes are one of the longest-standing fitness trends. From the early 1960s when Schwinn released its first stationary bike for the home, to the 1980s fitness craze that began to draw people into group exercise classes together. The 1990s introduced the Spin brand, which became synonymous with group indoor cycling classes. Then, in the mid-2000s, SoulCycle unleashed a new format of group indoor cycling classes in New York that still sets the standard for global boutique fitness studios today.
In this article we take a look at the next chapter in indoor cycling’s evolution and identify five features any top-end indoor cycling studio should focus on to stay relevant.
We'll talk about:
- Virtual and on-demand studios
- Impactful instructors
- Data-driven training
- Reactive audiovisuals and lighting
- Immersive Fitness Studios
Virtual and on-demand studios
A quick Google search will reveal how the pandemic accelerated international love for on-demand and live virtual fitness classes. Members who were no longer able to attend their usual indoor cycle classes attended virtual classes instead. These classes lacked the community and wow-factor of an in-person experience but provided unparalleled convenience.
A lesson many gyms are taking from this increased demand for convenience is adding on-demand studios to their venues that don’t rely on instructors or other staff members being present. These can be used as truly on-demand spaces that a member can access and activate any time the room is empty, or as pre-scheduled slots with automated virtual classes.
Introducing on-demand studios allows you to offer more classes without increasing your staffing costs, while providing your members with a more versatile class timetable.
The key to delivering high-quality on-demand studio experiences is to preprogramme the entire studio to react to set commands. Want to start a Les Mills "The Trip" class? Select that option on a touchscreen device at the studio door and watch as the lighting adjusts, the projector lowers, and the class auto-starts. Want to deliver a live instructor class in the same space? Select that option to switch the audio input to the headset mic and spotlight the stage, giving the instructor full control over audio and lighting. Each situation can be accounted for and easily prompted through some clever backend integrations.
Takeaway
On-demand, virtual classes is an offering that members will begin to expect from any gym, as every aspect of our lives becomes more flexible and accustomed to virtual experiences.
Impactful instructors
Indoor cycling classes tend to focus primarily on either performance or entertainment. The first motivates through data-driven training and focuses on form and overall performance, while the second focuses on community, using flashing lights and club-like music to drive members to work harder and want to come back for more.
While finding the right instructor is vital for each of these class types, the charisma and likeability of the instructor is particularly important for the latter. Just look at the way Peloton, Fiit App and Apple Fitness+ use influencer type trainers to grow the popularity of their classes.
We're now in an era where many instructors come with an existing fan base. Their teaching style is as important as how they are perceived online, and they can positively, or negatively, influence your gym’s brand just by being a part of it.
Takeaway
Bringing in the right instructors, and keeping them with you for a long time is the investment that might make or break your long-term success.
Make sure that for any new staff, you look beyond their qualifications and see how their online persona fits your gym culture. Does it reflect who they pitched themselves as? Are they going to offer the type of spin class your facility needs right now? Will they strengthen your existing credibility in the local community, and will they aid retention?
Data-driven training
When looking at the performance-focused training style, the instructor is only the start of it. A well-qualified instructor will help your members advance their cycling, and take on a mentor-type role for clients and colleagues alike. But there is more you can do.
Support your members’ training needs by installing multiple data screens and integrated tracking devices into your studio. For example, MyZone heart rate bands or wrist straps are a great way of visualising individual effort levels to help instructors give personalised feedback, as well as delivering an element of competition with the class if that's what you're looking for.
The data can be streamed to multiple screens within the studio in real-time, and even be linked to the lighting within the room to create an augmented fitness experience.
Takeaway
Cycling programmes like Wattbike, Stages Flight and some Les Mills classes truly come to life when the feedback from the user or the bike is reflected on-screen immediately. We expect these types of perks will continue to be a big driver for members coming into studios to do their cycling, rather than taking their bikes on the road for a spin around the block.
Reactive audiovisuals and lighting
With many spin studios taking a leaf out of the nightclub industry's design book, reactive audiovisuals are next on the list.
Studios with reactive audiovisuals and lighting feature large screens with animated abstract shapes and colours. The graphics are influenced by the music that's being played, which in turn dictate the lighting in the room both in movement and in colour, to create a unified AV experience.
The effect has a driving intensity in the room that complements the programme of the class, helping to motivate members to really engage with the workout. This is the type of AV setups industry-leading cycling studios like SoulCycle and Static Cycling use to capture the imagination of their members.
Of course, this technology can work equally well in data-driven scenarios, where a room's light reflects the intensity of the cycling stage. We get many requests for custom integrations that allow our clients to offer a unique experience to their members.
Takeaway
Studios can increase the impact of their class by tapping into all the senses, using lighting, audio and visuals to tie the class together and provide a memorable experience.
Immersive fitness studios
When looking to get the absolute most out of your spin studio you will inevitably come across immersive AV as a solution. Studios with oversized, sometimes even wrap-around projections, surround sound installation, and programmed lighting strips, are becoming more and more common in the fitness space.
Modelled after IMAX experiences, these studios are popping up in leisure spaces across the country. An installation like this requires a respectable amount of floor space and budget, but the results are astounding.
If you're in a position to create this type of studio, think about the content you'll be showing on it as well. To get the full impact on this wider screen format you’ll need specialist widescreen content.
Thankfully, many content providers now creating graphics, rendered immersive environments and video content, especially for these large displays. Soon you will be able to choose from as wide a pool of content as there are virtual class types today.
The lighting and AV that are integrated into the experience should also be of the highest quality, as the experience is quickly ruined by sub-optimal sound quality or untuned lighting within the room. It’s also best to get advice from an experienced AV integrator during the planning stage.
Takeaway
Immersive fitness studios are the biggest thing in indoor cycling for the coming years, but it takes attention to detail and dedication to the project to get set up. The right AV provider will be able to help you circumnavigate the challenges, and deliver an astonishing experience for your members.
----------------
Hutchison Technologies has designed and built incredible fitness studios for some of the industry's biggest brands, from Gymbox to David Lloyd. We are also excited to be the technology partner of choice for Les Mills and Technogym, delivering incredible experiences for their clients across the UK. Our team of AV technicians and design consultants are always excited to talk about a new idea you might have, so why not chat to us today.
Or, download our Studio Solutions Brochure today to find out more about what makes a good fitness studio, great.