Putting a Finger on the Pulse of Fitness: RealRyder Indoor Cycling Gives Fitness Entrepreneurs A Leg Up In A Down Economy

    SANTA MONICA, CA, July 07, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- While many health clubs and fitness studios are running out of fresh ways to attract and retain new members, others are investing in on-trend equipment that fits the growing demand for functional, core-based workouts in a group setting. Known for an articulating frame that allows you to turn, tilt and lean as you ride, RealRyder Indoor Cycling is quickly becoming known as "spinning 2.0," thanks to the newfound ability to recruit more muscles - especially, core muscles - and challenge balance and coordination as you ride. Building upon more than two decades of popular indoor cycling classes, RealRyder bikes have turned traditional "stationary" cycling workouts into a full body, functional movement that engages members on an entirely unique level while allowing them to burn more calories compared to a fixed bike.

Leading exercise physiologist and international fitness industry presenter, Douglas Brooks, M.S., said, "RealRyder is here to stay. It's not a trend. It's taking the industry by storm and reinvigorating the indoor cycle category." Serving as Director of Education for RealRyder International LLC, Brooks is traveling internationally to educate group fitness instructors and personal trainers about the many benefits of the RealRyder Indoor Cycle. "Fitness entrepreneurs are drawn to the uniqueness of the ride and the visual equity of the bike. When you see it, you expect great things, but the most important aspect is that the essence and fun of the real road are captured. Every bike company has power and other measurement tools, but no one has our ride."

Despite the U.S. economic downturn, the RealRyder Indoor Cycle continues to be the impetus behind several new fitness ventures in the last two years. Romaine Gordon, owner of B East in the New York Hamptons, said, "I would have never opened a spin studio if I hadn't been introduced to the RealRyder bike! This bike was a breath of fresh air to the fitness industry and I truly believe that this bike is what sets my studio apart and has made me such a great success in such a short time. B East offers approx. 30 RealRyder classes each week, of which 75% are sold out and late-bookers are sometimes turned away and must return to a later class. Celebrities like actor Alec Baldwin have made B East their go-to spot for cycling classes while in the Hamptons. "My business is thriving and there is no better feeling than to know that I'm helping people to feel better about themselves and in some cases, to change their lives by becoming healthier and happier."

Longtime Spinning instructor and avid road cyclist, Kim Bibeau, quit a 20-year career to launch her own RealRyder studio with her husband Brian. After opening its doors and generating impressive profits in just four short weeks, Sweat Therapy Fitness in Tallahassee moved to a larger location and the Bibeaus purchased more bikes to meet the demand. The couple kicked off their new location with a Grand Re-Opening Event that generated $13,000 for the local March of Dimes. Local politicians, competitive cyclists, new moms, seniors and everyone in between participated in the all-day ride.

"The response to our studio has been absolutely incredible. After trying our bikes, many people have told us they cannot go back to their old stationary bike," said Kim. The 48-year-old mother who once battled obesity at more than 200 lbs. and now credits RealRyder classes for getting her in the best shape of her life. "This is the strongest, most energetic and fit I have ever been! That's why I believe in it so much."

The Club At Morristown, a 36,000 square foot high-end private health club in Morristown, New Jersey, set out to differentiate itself by offering a premium experience to its affluent members. Owner John Cavaliere said, "We're doing things a bit differently here - from functional training on high-quality equipment to personalized service. We knew the RealRyder bikes would fit right into our model." With more than 1,200 members after opening its doors six months ago, Cavaliere reported, "The response to our cycling program has been overwhelmingly positive. Many of our members tell us they can't go back to the old stationary bikes they once rode."

The Gonzalez Sports Academy in Chula Vista, a state-of-the-art multi-sport training and fitness facility owned by professional baseball players Andrian Gonzalez of the San Diego Padres and Edgar Gonzalez of the Yomiuri Giants, recently launched its RealRyder Indoor Cycling program. "We're excited to have the RealRyder bikes at GSA. We cater to a lot of competitive triathletes who can finally train on an elite-level using these bikes," said Michele Blasko, Sales and Marketing Manager.

Currently, RealRyder customers are growing throughout 22 countries and boutique cycling studios are thriving in cities like Miami, Boston, Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Detroit and soon-to-launch in the Los Angeles fitness hub. The equipment is also being utilized by Celebrity Trainers Gunnar Peterson, Danny Musico and Ary Nunez who are training their professional athlete and A-list Hollywood clientele on the bike. Pop singer Rihanna, as well as lead actors Adrian Grenier and Kevin Connolly of HBO's hit series Entourage, are using the equipment to get red carpet-ready. The bikes can be found in rehabilitation and wellness centers, where physical therapists are using the equipment to rehabilitate patients with joint injuries and help elderly clientele improve balance, flexibility and coordination.

RealRyder International LLC, manufacturers of the RealRyder ABF8, will be presenting at the 2010 Can Fit Pro Festival on August 11-15, 2010. The conference is the largest Canadian fitness trade show that provides continuing education to personal trainers and fitness instructors and equipment sales to clubs across North America. RealRyder Indoor Cycling: This Is How We Roll! workshops will be led by Douglas Brooks, M.S.

For more information on the RealRyder Indoor Cycling, please visit www.REALRYDER.com

Click here for RealRyder Indoor Cycling video content:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-baY2R3eGc4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwXc1WN-EjA

About RealRyder International LLC:
RealRyder International LLC, headquartered in Santa Monica, California, is the first developer of the unstationary bike. Led by a team with more than 120 combined years of fitness industry experience, RealRyder International LLC is revolutionizing indoor cycling with the RealRyder ABF8 - a superior performance studio bike that meets the needs of the elite-cyclist or gym member for training and performance. The RealRyder ABF8 vision began 15 years ago when competitive cyclist and RealRyder International co-founder, Colin Irving, saw a need to improve the performance of the stationary bike to simulate the real bike experience. Colin shared his dream and joined industry expert Sean Harrington, whose fitness contributions include the Heart Mate Stationary Bike, and pioneering of Nautilus as a successful fitness club chain operation, to bring this product to market. Rich Hanson, who helped bring the Stairmaster to market, is also largely involved in RealRyder and its current success. For more information, please visit www.realryder.com

Media Contact: Jackie Mendes, Brand Manager: [email protected]

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