Article written by Chrissy Newall – Bay City Gym Owner/Les Mills Instructor/Coach
RPM, often referred to as indoor cycling, spinning or stationary cycling, offers a wide range of benefits for physical fitness and overall well-being.
My love for RPM started when I was living in Australia in early 2000’s. I started by attending classes and then decided I’d love to be an RPM instructor and signed up to a Les mills module in Sydney. It was so much fun, and I’ve never looked back!
Cycling is one exercise that has never given me an injury, it’s kept my fitness high and alongside Body Balance and strength training it’s helped me to manage my physical and mental wellbeing.
Here are some of the key advantages of indoor cycling:
- Cardiovascular Health: Indoor cycling is an excellent cardiovascular workout that helps improve your heart health. It increases your heart rate, strengthens the heart muscle, and enhances circulation, reducing the risk of heart disease.
2. Weight Management: Regular indoor cycling can burn a significant number of calories, making it an effective tool for weight management and fat loss. It helps create a calorie deficit, promoting weight loss when combined with a healthy diet.
3. Low Impact: Indoor cycling is a low-impact exercise, which means it’s gentle on your joints. This makes it an ideal choice for people with joint issues or those recovering from injuries.
4. Leg Strength and Endurance: Cycling targets the muscles in your lower body, including your quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and glutes. Over time, this can lead to improved leg strength and endurance.
5. Improved Core Strength: Maintaining proper posture and balance on the stationary bike engages your core muscles, helping to strengthen your abdominal and lower back muscles.
6. Enhanced Lung Capacity: Regular cycling can improve your lung capacity and respiratory efficiency. It can help you breathe more deeply and efficiently, increasing oxygen intake and improving overall lung function.
7. Stress Reduction: Like many forms of exercise, indoor cycling releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters. It can help reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression.
8. Convenience and Accessibility: Indoor cycling can be done year-round in the comfort of your home or at a gym, regardless of weather conditions. It’s accessible to people of various fitness levels and can easily be incorporated into your daily routine.
9. Customizable Intensity: You can adjust the resistance on a stationary bike to make your workout as easy or challenging as you desire, making it suitable for beginners and advanced athletes alike.
10. Group Motivation: Many people enjoy group indoor cycling classes, which provide motivation and a sense of community. Working out with others can make the experience more enjoyable and help you stay accountable to your fitness goals.
11. Improved Mental Focus: Indoor cycling requires concentration and mental focus to maintain proper form and pace. This can help improve your cognitive abilities and mental clarity.
12. Time Efficiency: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions on stationary bikes can provide an effective workout in a relatively short amount of time, making it suitable for busy schedules.
13. Better Sleep: Regular exercise, including indoor cycling, can promote better sleep patterns and improve sleep quality.
14. Increased Metabolism: Building lean muscle through indoor cycling can boost your metabolism, helping you burn more calories even at rest.
15. Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases: Consistent indoor cycling can reduce the risk of various chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and certain types of cancer.
Anyone can do a RPM class. You just need to be prepared to take yourself out of your comfort zone, which is do-able when you are in a room full of other like-minded people.
Note: Remember to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise routine, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions or concerns about your fitness level. Additionally, ensure you use proper cycling techniques and equipment to prevent injury.