Indoor cycling is a proven program that many clubs across the U.S. continue to capitalize on. And no company knows this better than Mad Dogg Athletics®, home to the Spinning® indoor cycling program. Here, John R. Baudhuin, the CEO of Mad Dogg Athletics, talks about indoor cycling trends and Spinning’s potential growth.
CS: What are some current trends that clubs should be following? How can a club implement these trends?
JB: One of the big trends we’re seeing is the increase in the number of clubs that are starting to teach indoor cycling classes based on power and the increased use of technology to monitor, track and improve performance. Another trend that we’re seeing is the increase in the number of clubs that are offering multi-modality programs and fusion classes. It’s pretty clear that wearables, performance technology, cross-training and fusion classes are here to stay, so getting up to speed on implementing new programs is key.
At the core of each of these trends is the need to develop an instructor base that is capable of growing with the increased demands that new programs and technology require. With the growth in the studio market and the number of studios offering increasingly specialized training, consumer expectations are definitely rising and becoming more refined. At Mad Dogg Athletics, we’re working hard to shorten the learning curve and time required to implement all of our programs and to provide the support necessary to keep new programs healthy.
CS: How important is programming?
JB: A variety of programming is a key element in maintaining a successful club — no one wants to take the same class day after day, week after week. Programming will definitely continue to be the cornerstone of offering successful group and small group exercise experiences to an increasing complex and diverse group of members.
CS: What importance should be stressed on instructors for continuing their education?
JB: Being a fitness professional today is much more competitive, demanding and requires a much higher degree of skill than at any time in the past. Keeping current with the latest developments and education in the programs instructors teach is key to member retention and the experience they have every time they walk into a class. One way to do that is to attend as many continuing education courses or conferences as you can. The learning should never end as an instructor. That’s one of the reasons we have a variety of continuing education courses and we are constantly increasing that number.
CS: What do clients want out of their indoor cycling class?
JB: Clients generally want a great workout and expert instruction that pushes them towards their goals. However, the most important thing for instructors to remember is that everyone has different goals and that every class can have someone new to fitness or a professional athlete that’s trained for years. I’ve asked many people why they love Spinning, and you would be surprised by the variety of answers. Some love the program for the camaraderie, fun and excitement, and others love Spinning for the training results that range from weight loss to performance or simply getting ready for the next big race. A great instructor is the one that can nurture a newbie, motivate and encourage a regular, and challenge the athlete that’s working hard to improve their performance, all the while keeping it fun, safe and entertaining.
CS: How can a club stay competitive in this day and age?
JB: With the increase in the number of studios that specialize in indoor cycling, it’s becoming increasingly important for clubs to focus on the experience your members get every time they step into class. The key elements are quality bikes that are well-maintained, great instruction and programming, a clean studio with a proper sound system and lighting, fresh music, and a healthy dose of fun. Of course, bringing in the latest indoor cycling technology is a great way to bring new life to any program. We recently launched the new Spinner® Blade ION™ bike and our cutting-edge SPINPower® program and are seeing the excitement building around power-based training. Never before have there been so many tools to help instructors and clubs offer results-driven classes to their members.
This Q&A was sponsored by Mad Dogg Athletics. For more information on Mad Dogg Athletics and how it can benefit your club, click the banner ad below:
