A special ‘Congratulations!’ to M Cycle Gym in South Miami, FL (http://www.mcyclegym.com/) — who after their THIRD order now have 45 RealRyderÒ Bikes!

RealTraining:

The much beloved Adam Reid (Master Trainer Extraordinaire) taught 2 Introductory courses to our Military constituents, 1 Certified Instructor at Body Factory in Lafayette, Louisiana (http://www.bodyfactorylft.com/) and along with Douglas Brooks  (Master Trainer EXTRA-Extraordinaire) 1 Certified MASTER Instructor at Centro Forma Evolution in Verona, Italy (www.centroformaevolution.it) which brought instructors from England, Greece, Portugal, Russia and The Netherlands. All in all 25 certified and eager enthusiasts were unleashed to continue spreading the gospel and good word of RealRyderÒ.

Introductory Course at Joint Forces Staff College

Introductory Course in Kaiserslautem, Germany

MASTER Training in Verona, Italy

RealNews:

Now we are gearing up for our first SCW event of the year, in Philadelphia next weekend Feb 3-5^th. (www.scwfitness.com/philadelphia)  Our pre-conference Certification is sold out! Never fear though, we have 11 time slots throughout the rest of the weekend where we are very excited to be introducing 3 brand spanking new workshops!

1)   Burn Your Last Match

1. High intensity interval training (HIIT) is an effective way to help your ryders blast through fitness plateaus, build power and speed–and torch calories. How do you lead a safe HIIT workout that’s appropriate for riders of all ages and conditioning levels? Learn appropriate measurement, recovery time and cues to keep your interval training programs intelligent, fun and your riders coming back for more. Leverage the dynamic “turning” and “banking” movements, exclusive to the RealRyder® Indoor Cycle, to spark new excitement, confidence and team camaraderie as you lay it all on the line!

2)   Re-Cycle…Class Planning in Minutes

1. Planning classes should be quick, easy and fun. Learn how to create and re-cycle classes so you have a rich library of creative workouts to choose from each week. RealRyder’s unique RydeProfile Class Planning System shows you how to bring real road profiles inside the classroom while maximizing teaching options. Learn to shine as a strong teacher, and instruct a class that’s uniquely YOU. Inject new energy and creativity into your class planning. Produce a ryde experience participants won’t soon forget.

3)   Tri-Planar Ryding…Training for Sport & Life!

1. Propel functional training to   the next level by leveraging the dynamic movement exclusive to the RealRyder® Indoor Cycle. The only indoor bike that offers safe, tri-planar training, the RealRyder® Bike is paving a new path as a motion resistance tool that helps ryders discover a deeper core connection and greater movement efficiency through applied functional resistance. Learn the importance of training in three planes, how it translates to life, as well as various rotation and balance-based sports. Understand why 3-dimensional cycling could be the best Rx for compromised knees and back, injury prevention and fun!

RealStories:

For those of us who’ve drunk the RealRyderÒ Kool-Aid we know how delicious it is! It’s nice though when a story comes out that speaks to a wider audience specifically about the fact that the RealRyderÒ does not discriminate. The ‘unstationary’ quality and natural movement of the bike makes it physically compatible with just about everyone.  Allison Moore, a 46 yr old woman came to discover RealRyderÒ

at B-East RealRyder in Amagansett, NY (http://www.eastfit.com/) AFTER receiving a devastating diagnosis of a neurological disorder that has her wearing leg braces from the knee down. Please read her inspiring story here in MORE Magazine, http://www.more.com/inspirational-stories-charcot-marie-tooth

 When we hear people’s trepidation that the bike will be too hard for them, this is one of several ‘can-do’ stories we will be sharing to put their fears to rest.

Coming Soon!

We also have a lot of activity beneath the surface.

For example…

• By the end of the first quarter we will have those long awaited, much anticipated computers for the bikes that will read Heart Rate, RPM, Time, Distance, and Estimated Caloric Expenditure.
• The Shopping Cart on the website will make registering for certifications a snap!
• New apparel to make bragging easier about how much cooler YOUR indoor bike is because it moves!

After a 90-minute spin class and Zumba class at B. East Fitness Studio and an auction and raffle at a benefit party at the Stephen Talkhouse on Saturday, the donations were tallied. According to Romaine Gordon, who organized the fundraiser, over $28,500 was raised for Lisa Craine of East Hampton, who has been battling Stage 4 colon cancer for more than two years. Craine, a mother of three, thanked the community for “stepping up” for her family.

Donations can still be made by sending checks payable to Friends of Lisa Craine, c/o Romaine Gordon, 12 Runnymede Drive, East Hampton, NY 11937.

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.

We recently spoke with John Petrick, an avid cyclist and RealRyder® devotee from California, whose story nearly stopped us in our tracks. John inherited a frightening kidney disorder, known as polycystic kidney disease, which afflicted his great grandmother, grandfather and his mother. The dominant family gene had a fifty percent chance of affecting his life, and unfortunately, both John and his sister were eventually diagnosed.

The prognosis for polycystic kidney disease can be unpredictable and for some, the risk for mortality is high. In order to stay alive, patients must either bear a lifetime of dialysis or undergo a kidney transplant. The latter is no easy feat, as the demand for kidneys far outweighs the supply. However, John’s business partner stepped up and offered to make a donation that would give John a new lease on life.

John told us, “Poor kidney function causes the red blood cell count to go down. Slowly over time, I lost energy as well as the ability to maintain my body temperature. Even in the summertime, I was cold.” Recalling the days when completing life’s most common tasks felt like a battle, John remembered losing the ability to ride his bike, swim or simply work a full day.

However, John’s life took a dramatic turn for the better on August 17, 2004 when John underwent a kidney transplant at UCLA Medical Center. When someone tells you they had a kidney transplant, the last thing you’re expecting to hear next is that they’re completing century rides, triathlons or competing in bike events in Death Valley, where it’s 104˚ degrees! But unlike other baby boomers who tend to slow down, John is driven by an incredible responsibility to his donor – that is, to live his life to the fullest degree possible.

Since his transplant, John continues to support and stay closely connected with other transplant patients worldwide. In fact, every two years, thousands of patients compete in the U.S. Transplant Olympics or the World Transplant Games, in events like cycling, swimming, bowling, and track and field events. Here, John competes with other inspiring individuals who’ve undergone successful transplants of the kidney, heart, liver, bone marrow and more.

When he’s not competing for medals, you can find John training hard on his RealRyder® bike in his home gym. John says, “I find traditional stationary bikes to be really boring. On the RealRyder bike, I’m able to get a better workout in the same amount of time because I’m using my core muscles to balance the bike. This is how I ride outdoors. You just don’t get that on other indoor bikes.”

On June 13th, John will travel to Sweden to compete in the 2011 World Transplant Games, where 1,500 athletes representing an estimated 69 countries will compete at a high level in an atmosphere of fun and friendship.

A special thanks to John for sharing his story with us and for exemplifying a life of great courage. You’re an inspiration to all of us, John!

RealRyder’s Indoor Cycling Certified Instructor Training Program became recognized by ACE as an approved continuing education provider. We were VERY excited to have our education program, led by Douglas Brooks, M.S. (Exercise Physiologist & ACE-certified), recognized by such an incredible organization. Below are a few excerpts from the ACE article, RealRyder: Taking the Training Wheels Off Indoor Cycling.

It has been more than 20 years since Johnny G introduced Spinning® and transformed the stationary bike from a solo piece of cardio equipment into a new group-fitness phenomenon called indoor cycling. The Spinning bike’s design, with the heavy flywheel, chain drive and friction resistance, offered a pedaling experience that mimicked that of an actual road bike. “It was a brilliant design that created the ability to get on top of the gear and keep it rolling,” says Colin Irving, creator of the RealRyder® bike and co-founder of RealRyder® International. Douglas Brooks adds, “Since Johnny G introduced the Spinning bike, there has really been nothing new about the riding experience, until now.”

But beyond the joy factor, it is the quality of the ride that Brooks and other cyclists are referring to when they say that Colin Irving “got it right” when he developed the concept of the RealRyder bike more than 15 years ago. “As a competitive cyclist, I spent many hours training on rollers in the hallway (for balance) and thought how nice it would be to just turn,” explains Irving, describing how he came up with the concept for the RealRyder bike. This led to sketches on training logs, cardboard, paper or whatever was available. “I wanted to create a riding experience, not just pedaling,” he says.

Picture a Buddha statue – the highest symbol in yogic culture – and immediately the idea of unshakable faith, mental discipline and fearlessness come to mind. Ask a professional cyclist what it takes to complete a 100-mile race and you’ll hear about similar self-mastery. Trevor Tice, CEO of Core Power Yoga (CPY), has always appreciated the similarities between power yoga and the sport of cycling, and now he’s investing in both.

Making his mark with sweaty, core-centric yoga classes, Tice selected the bike that would serve his members’ needs best – the RealRyder® Indoor Cycle. This “unstationary” indoor bike actually leans and turns, emulating the same functional, core-centric movement you feel on the real road.

“The lateral movement adds a whole new dimension to the experience. You’re not only getting your arms more involved in the workout, but it’s also more specific work for the core… just like the type of yoga we offer at Core Power Yoga,” says Tice. “We wanted to provide this as a value-add, so that our members could move away from the gym and be completely fulfilled spiritually, mentally and physically at Core Power Yoga.”

Read more on RealRyder and Core Power Yoga by clicking here.

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!”

Lisa Flood Wisentaner opened Nantucket Cycling Studio in March of this year and is already being asked “When are you adding more classes?” and “When are you adding more bikes?” from her clients. Lisa’s approach is one of the many reasons her clients return and people continue to seek her out. She removes the element of fear from indoor cycling with her innovative 5-week Beginner series.

Many studios offer introductory classes, but Lisa wanted to take a slightly different approach, building a community for people trying indoor cycling or RealRyders for their first time.  Clients sign up for a 5-week program that breaks down the class, adding 5 minutes of class time each week, working together toward their first full length class.

The first and second classes focus on the basics – setting up the bike to their individual measurements, learning how to control resistance, finding balance on the bike and a few more concepts. The classes progress to the more abstract ideas that only an experienced, RealRyder® Certified Instructor, like Lisa, can provide: learning your rate of perceived exertion, how to build your relationship with the bike and progress into your “zone” during a workout session. Every class starts with a review of the previous class and builds progressively with each session. After their “graduation” from the beginner series, “fears” and “can’t” no longer exist in participant’s exercise lexicon.

There’s also the elements of camaraderie and the accountability created when people begin a program together. Lisa knows her customers from the beginning and they look forward to progressing their workouts with her. And for the Nantucket Cycling Studio Ryders, Lisa has placed an order for more RealRyder bikes and is adding a new instructor and classes to the schedule.

How do you remove the fear and take away the “can’t” for potential clients and students?

“Every month has been better than the last.”
“In 5 months I’ve never had one class not sell out.”
“Customer retention has been easy. We just put them on the bike.”
“RealRyders provide 100% more benefit – to everything.”

Qi has an incredible story in terms of its business success, but the classes featuring RealRyder® ABF8 bikes have also changed the lives of their participants. Below we have the story of how RealRyder changed the life of one of Qi’s top trainers and their Boxing Director, Nick Spinosa.

Nick has been on his feet for most of his life, growing up working his family’s restaurant in Pennsylvania. As an avid athlete, Nick played many sports – baseball, football, basketball – and continued to play baseball at the collegiate level at Penn State. He also developed a love and passion for boxing, which runs in his family. Nick’s grandfather was  a professional boxer.

Nick’s love of sports and time spent on his feet caught up with him. During his collegiate years, while playing both baseball and boxing, Nick had to undergo surgery for damages to his feet, also dealing with arthritis pains from being on so many surfaces. Surgeons had to fuse the bones of his feet together in a series of surgeries. Three surgeries, in fact. Not an easy thing to swallow for an active person. And that wasn’t the end.

Following college, two additional surgeries (for a total of 5 surgeries on his feet!) the newly-minted kineseology grad headed out west to live with his brother in Denver, Colorado. Nick said he could barely walk or bend over when he arrived in Colorado in early 2010. It was time to get back in form. His brother proceeded to introduce him to Chris Lindley, one of the co-owners of Qi.

The two hit it off immediately, bonding over boxing and the Army-style workouts Chris provided at Qi. Enter the RealRyders at Qi. Nick was re-learning to walk when RealRyders arrived at Qi, and with the RealRyder® ABF8′s, he was able to accomplish his goals of walking again, becoming physically active and shedding weight gained over multiple surgeries. Nick is now 60 pounds lighter, teaching at least 13 filled or sold out classes a week and directs the Boxing programs at Qi. Nick’s personal triumph is one of the many stories we are proud to highlight and share. Qi continues to make an impact in the Denver community and on the lives of its participants and employees.

Do you have a story to share? We would love to feature your story on RealRyder’s blog!

RealRyder is teaming up with big names -  Motionsoft, Total Gym and Gatorade for amazing giveaways and experiences at IHRSA. RealRyder will be giving away 2, AFB8 bikes in conjunction with the Motionsoft, via text message. You can stop by their booth (#1026) for the details on entry and ways to win. Each day, a random winner will be selected to win a RealRyder Indoor Cycle or a Total Gym.

If you’re interested in going to IHRSA but haven’t committed yet, we have two ways for you to save on the trade show passes. Our promotional partners, Motionsoft have passes to offer! IHRSA is also offering an exclusive promotional code for their Facebook fans.

We only have one question … a Are You Ready for our Ryde?

• Thursday, March 17th: Beginning at 11:00am, we will be offering 15-minute classes on the only indoor cycling ride that moves you!
• If you complete one of the mini-classes, you will receive our RealRyder Messenger bag, perfect for the conference or on-the-go wherever you are!
• Friday, March 18th: We’re up bright and early at 6:00am! The RealRyder Performance & Hydration Station, Fueled by Gatorade – G Series Fit
• Ryde Real every 30 minutes, with classes ending at 8:30am. And no need for extra gear – we’ve got you covered with the brand-new G Series Fit drink and Gatorade towels, as well as a brand-new RealRyder t-shirt!