Welcome to Pennsylvania, home of MultiSport Fitness and RealRyder® super-cyclists! Owners Matt and Jennifer Fleischer just celebrated the one-year anniversary of their Mt. Bethel location (their second location in Bethlehem is edging up on its one-year mark). We recently spoke with Jennifer about her experiences as an owner, as an instructor and as a Ryder. The indoor cycling business is jammin’ but there is one more aspect that is incredibly important to the MultiSport Fitness owners: the community that is being built among her instructors and customers. In December of 2010, Jennifer asked her instructors to take a moment and record the successes and goals people were meeting using RealRyder bikes. The results of weight loss – 20, 30, 60 and even 80 pounds – flooded in, as well as accounts of increased energy and decreased stress. Success? We think so!

Spring and summer brought a new set of success benchmarks as the indoor training began translating to outdoor events and races. The fun and dynamic riding experience of the RealRyder bike keeps people engaged and working hard, no matter how cold or hot the weather – even rain (we don’t recommend putting your bike in the rain, we think the dedication in this videois pretty inspiring!). Pennsylvania, much like the rest of the Northeast, has winters that keep even the most avid outdoor cyclist off the road. Jennifer recounted people using snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles to arrive to class over the winter months. The hard work has paid has paid off for the RealRyders at MultiSport Fitness. Find out how Bev, a RealRyder Indoor Cycling Certified instructor and yoga instructor, and Stephen, an operating room anesthetist and runner, have broken their PRs – personal records – with RealRyder training.

BEV – Yogi & RealRyder:

My name is Bev Fatebene. From April to October you will find me several days a week climbing the most vigorous hills I can find. I absolutely love to cycle!!  Jenn Fleischer has known me from the area and as a yoga instructor.  She spotted me on a warm sunny day, peddling one of the most challenging climbs  in our area.  As I came over the top with a huge smile on my face, Jenn said at that moment she knew in her heart she wanted me [as an instructor].  Jenn asked me to join the MultiSport Fitness team at her 2nd RealRyder gym in Bethlehem, PA.  I’m an outdoor cyclist, and have never been a fan of indoor gyms.  I began RealRyder in December 2010 as an instructor and student.  I was amazed how challenging the bikes were and how sweaty I got. And it was fun!! Impressed, my thoughts were, ‘this was a great way to stay in shape and ‘beat’ the winter blues.

Than the weather warmed up and I took my first ride for the season.  When I ride, my routes include a serious climb.  Cycling to me is like a Yoga practice.  My mind and body connect into a rhythm and I escape into the wilderness, and quietness of the outdoors.  I rarely watch my times or speeds, as I ride pretty much the same routes and know the approximate time I get back home.  As I peddled that evening, I noticed my legs were really strong.  My heart was strong.  I attacked the last 300 feet to the top of my most difficult climb.  Smiling from ear to ear, almost chuckling of how good I felt, and I had more to give.  In my head, I related to my RealRyder class; my butt over the saddle, feeling the power in my legs and knowing my heart could handle pushing my threshold.  We practice pushing your threshold in class and at certified training.  Amazing!! I arrived home 45 minutes earlier than usual!

My confidence is boosted, and I am planning some crazy mutli-climb routes.  I can’t thank Jenn Fleischer enough for asking me to join the MultiSport Fitness team.  Every trainer is fantastic!  We have no egos, just a sense to support one another, have a good time, and get a great workout in.  Adam Reid and Douglas Brooks modelled the same behavior at  the RealRyder Indoor Cycling Certified Instructor training.  I am truly grateful for RealRyder and the MultiSport Fitness team! Thank you!!!

STEPHEN – Runner & RealRyder:

I’m 57 years old and work as an anesthetist in a busy operating room. My work days are frequently long, but I work hard and play hard. I got back into running road racing in 2007 after being away from running for over 10 years. Since taking RealRyder classes this past winter, I was confident I was going to have a good racing season but I didn’t know it would be this good. I PR’d 5 times this year: two on half-marathons in May, two 10 mile races in March and April and one five-miler in February. I also placed in my age group in a 5K. Walking to the podium for a medal at any age feels great but at 57 it feels awesome.When friends of mine came to cheer me on during the Odyssey half marathon in Philadelphia, the first thing they shouted was “Steve, you don’t have your knee support on”! Since  2007, I had to wear an elastic knee support and after about 7 RealRyder classes, my knee no longer hurt when running. It seems that my patella is “tracking” much better with the improved quad strength I achieved from RealRyder classes.

I was invited to work as part of a volunteer  medical team in Haiti in 2010 and wound up having a schedule conflict with the Marine Corps Marathon which I was already signed up. The Marine Corps Marathon granted me a one time deferment to run it this year. The surprising thing is that I now find that I’m in for running the New York Marathon…..they’re one week apart!!! The answer is YES, I’m running both now that I developed the strength to run pain free. Thanks RealRyder, my racing season keeps getting better and I don’t miss that elastic knee support.

I’m particularly grateful to  the outstanding instructors from Multisport Fitness. While all the instructors are outstanding, Jennifer stands out  as one instructor/coach who will help her students “dig deep” to accomplish their best performance. Jennifer will modestly acknowledge that she competed in the “Iron Man Triathalon“. She is an amazing athlete whose high energy spirit  is transferred to her students.

When the RealRyder® International team travels across the globe presenting at fitness industry trade shows, we get all kinds of questions about the RealRyder® bike. Some inquiries that are particularly common from those who’ve never experienced our bike include, “Is it possible to lock the bike in place so it does not move?” Or “Excuse me… but I think there’s something wrong with your bike. Do you know that it’s moving?” (no joke!)

Another question that’s far more frequent is the purpose of this blog: “Is the RealRyder workout harder than a traditional stationary bike workout?”

Before you bust out with a definitive answer, we believe it depends on whom you ask. Take Kathy Wilder, a dedicated RealRyder Indoor Cyclist at 501SPIN in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Now in her 50s, Kathy has been extremely passionate about fitness her entire life. She was an avid runner in her 20s. She’s always known maintaining muscle mass and keeping her heart strong and healthy is important as she ages. Yet, while most baby boomers are complaining about stiff knees or achy backs, Kathy wakes up each day confronting a 32-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

“I remember waking up one day and the lower half of my body was completely numb. Then, I woke up another time and my upper body was completely numb. We didn’t have MRIs in the 1980s, so I had no clue what was wrong with me, so I just kept on moving through life with random, scary symptoms,” said Kathy.

Over the years her condition worsened. Her six-mile daily runs came to a gradual halt. Leg exercises with weights became too much for her lower body to tolerate and inevitably, balance became an issue. Fast forward to today, Kathy finds it difficult to complete a half-mile walk with her husband, whom she used to enjoy hours of walking with around the city. The burdensome obstacle that prevents her from being physically active begins in her legs.

“My legs start to feel like Gumby. I get a spasm in my low back and dull pain radiates up my spinal muscles,” says Kathy.

Determined to keep her body moving, Kathy decided to try a new gym and fitness facility in her neighborhood called 501SPIN. What initially attracted her to this facility was the upper body ergometer machine (think cycling using your arms), which she believed would work well for her, given it excluded the lower body. While getting acclimated to the studio, Kathy discovered the facility’s uniquely fun and dynamic RealRyder® Indoor Cycling classes. Curious about the new bikes that could tilt and lean, she decided to try a class.

“I was afraid of falling off the RealRyder bike at first. I wasn’t worried about the bike tipping over. I was concerned about my problems with balance!” says Kathy. “But I realized I just needed to get used to it and take it slow.”

And that’s just what Kathy did.

Today – thanks to Kathy’s courage, and an inspirational teacher named Dawn Doll, whom she credits as a major influence and motivational force -  Kathy told us, “I’m able to complete an entire class. I’m able to stand up and ride, which I never thought I could do. The fact that the bike moves and simulates turns, and improves core strength is really helping me.”

Newly enlightened and deeply moved by Kathy’s incredible story of personal triumph, we decided to ask her the ever-popular question that newbie RealRyders often ask us:

“Do you think RealRyder Indoor Cycling is harder than traditional cycling?”

Kathy: “It’s not harder. It’s just different. And most importantly, the classes are fun!”

Have you heard the buzz about our RealRyder® Indoor Cycling Certified Instructor Training Program? We could tell you about it, but we’d much rather you hear (and see!) a few words from our recent indoor cycling trainings.

2011 is a BIG year for RealRyder, as we roll out the education program, bringing a new level of excitement to indoor cycling with our bikes and instruction. We have over 20 trainings scheduled this year alone, in both the U.S. and internationally. Our Certified Instructor Training Program sets that stage for club owners and instructors to “lead the pack” with one of the hottest pieces of fitness equipment on the market!

The RealRyder Indoor Cycle Certified Instructor Training Program builds on the history of indoor cycling, using a teaching system that eliminates guess work, so that planning intelligent and creative workouts is easy. Join a pack of enthusiastic RealRyder ambassadors and become part of a new era of indoor cycling today!

Have you taken the training or are you participating in an upcoming training at one of our many locations? Please share your thoughts and/or what you’re hoping to learn from the RealRyder® Indoor Cycling Certified Instructor Training Program.

Check out photos from some of our recent trainings at studios throughout the U.S. and Canada! RealRyder Cycling Studio (Los Angeles), Body-n-Mind Ryde (Miami), Equilibria Fitness (Doral, FL), Execl Fitness (BC, Canada)

RealRyder cycling is different. Our indoor cycling program is different. Our bike is different. No other indoor bike has our “Ryde”! RealRyder Cycling adds a level of excitement through innovation that can energize any existing cycling program. There are unlimited programming options for offering a unique riding experience that will be enjoyed by people of all fitness levels, interests and backgrounds.

One of the questions we often receive is from our teachers and studio owners is “How do I find or make the elevation maps for class?”. We enlisted a few of our instructors to answer this question. After putting our heads together we came up with three great sources for inspiration.

Ryde it Real Tool #1: Map My Ride, a division of Map My Fitness

Screenshot: Map My Ride

Ryde it Real Tool #2: Velo Routes

Screenshot: Velo Routes

Screenshot: Velo Routes

Ryde it Real Tool #3: Use Your Favorites Races!

The major races, like the Tour de France, offer comprehensive imagery and profiles for each stage of the race. CYKL, a RealRyder studio in Canada, simulated the entire Tour de France last year, complete with leaderboards, jerseys, footage of the race, and of course celebratory champagne! Use the tools found on race websites to excite your class participants and offer them an experience they will never forget. Some of our favorites to get you started are the Tour de France, USA Cycling, and here in RealRyder country we have SoCal Cycling.

Tell us about your inspirations for riding indoors! A parting shot from CYKL in Canada, to get your creative juices flowing!

CYKL's Tour de France Leaderboard

Ryde it real. Teach it real. It’s time to take the training wheels off!