Everything You Need to Know About Cycling Classes
There’s a good reason cycling classes are the first choice for many fitness enthusiasts when it comes to cardio. Time on the bike is a fantastic way to achieve both cardiovascular and strength training goals. There’s also the added bonus of being in a group setting, which is a natural motivator for a lot of folks. If you’re considering trying a cycling class, take a moment to learn more about the benefits of cycling classes and the different types of cycling programs you can try.
What Is a Cycling Class?
A cycling class is a group workout where participants are each on their own stationary bike. A fitness instructor will guide the cyclists through different positions and speeds, keeping the workout interesting and dynamic while pushing everyone in the room to dig deep and keep going.
What Are the Benefits of Cycling Classes? What Is a Cycling Class Good For?
Cycling is a great form of cardio, especially if you don’t like running or are looking for a more low-impact way to get your heart rate up. Some of the benefits one can expect when they stay consistent with cycling courses include:
- Cardiovascular Health: Cycling classes are renowned for their ability to increase cardiovascular fitness. The rhythmic consistency and varied intensity provide an efficient and engaging workout, improving heart health and stamina.
- Weight loss: You can expect to burn anywhere from 300-600 calories per 55-minute class, making cycling classes an excellent option for anybody trying to maintain or lose weight. The afterburn effect, where the body continues to burn calories after an intense workout, is also a massive benefit to cycling classes. If you dig deep and give it your all, your body will keep on going for up to 24 hours after you step off the bike.
- Low-Impact cardio: Running can be hard on the joints, so many people turn to cycling as their preferred form of cardio. Whether you’re older or just looking to maintain your already healthy joints, cycling is a great way to engage in a challenging workout, and it can help build lower-body muscle strength without putting too much stress on your joints.
- Community building: Solo workouts are great, but sometimes you need that extra bit of motivation that working out in a group can bring. Cycling classes are an awesome way to meet new people while getting your heart pumping and endorphins flowing. Members of the group can help push each other to keep going so everyone crosses the finish line together.
What Is a Cycling Class Like at City Fitness?
Cycling classes can be extremely varied in how they’re conducted. At City Fitness, we offer four dynamic styles of cycling classes in our Shift program: Synergy Cycling, Power Cycling, Ignite Cycling, and HIIT The Bike. Each of the different courses offers a myriad of benefits, and we recommend giving all of them a try to find the one that works best for you. Find out more about each of our cycling classes below:
- Synergy Cycling: Synergy Cycling combines choreographed movements and high-energy music to motivate you and help you take your mind off of the stresses of life for a bit. Cardio shouldn’t be a drag, and Synergy Cycling will help build a stronger mind-body connection that will stay with you long after you walk out of the gym.
- Power Cycling: Power Cycling focuses on intensity, combining watts (the unit used to measure power in cycling), resistance, and RPM throughout the class that’ll have you digging deep for that next level.
- Ignite Cycling: Ignite Cycling combines the best parts of both Synergy Cycling and Power Cycling to create an all-around cycling workout.
- HIIT The Bike: HIIT The Bike is an interval training course designed to get your heart pumping with a combination of both aerobic and anaerobic movement. Torch calories and build muscle at the same time with this intense workout!
Take a Ride With City Fitness
Interested in cycling classes? Come check out City Fitness! Whether you’ve never taken a cycling class and are looking for a new way to get some cardio in, or you’re a pro on the stationary bike, any of Shift’s four class formats will amp you up, while helping you reach that next level. No matter the class type, you can expect to get strong while having a blast at the same time!
Learn more about our Shift program, and check out our schedule to see when you can take a class. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to a City Fitness near you.
We’re also happy to offer all newcomers to City Fitness a Complimentary Experience that allows them to come and check out any of our locations at no cost.