Report on "Group Cycle"

[Jen]

I'm an RPM instructor. It is fun, and great training if the instructor presents it well. Gorup Ride is by a group called Body Training Systems. They use to work for Les MIlls but were fired because they did not sell the product correctly in USA. Golds Gyms corporate all have RPM. RPM is choreographed by professional cyclists, I believe one rides for Nike and has extensive background in training cyclists. If done right and the resistance is coached correctly it is fantastic. I just rode the new release, RPM 30 yesterday with the people from New Zeland. It is very challenging. RPM 31 is suppose to be the best release ever done. RPM 29 is GREAT! The music is carefully selected to set the cadence so you don't have to guess where you are like in other cycle classes. Cadence and duration is set. You have to choose resistance according to your ability. Increase it to get a better workout. Take that heart rate up. Track 5, the Killer!!!

[Adventure Girl]

I have taken lots of "group exercise" classes over the years. It has been my experience that the pre-choreographed routines (step, spin, kick-box or whatever) are usually "OK" but not great.

A great instructor teaches a better class than the canned routines. But the canned routines are better than the bad instructors!

But even in pre-choreographed classes, some instructors that are better than others. If you're lucky, you have choices and you can pick what works for you. But if you're not, you take what you can get and make the most out of it.

[Brandy]

I've taken one of the Les Mills RPM classes with the guys from New Zealand as well, and while it was a great workout, I really didn't care for the music. I was also a little turned off by the fact that the instructor kept taking both hands off of the handlebars in a show-offy way...I didn't think that it was setting a very good tone of safety for the ride.

They've demo'd the RPM classes at our gym twice in the last few months and I'm really hoping that they don't make it onto the schedule. I need variety and good music!

[Jen]

I agaree, the music isn't so hot. It is more European. The last release was excellent. I just got the new release in the mail. Horrible. I feel so let down. As with anything, there are good and motivating instructors and there are not so good instructors. I like it because it goes non stop for 50 min, you burn a min. of 600+ calories but probably more if you worked your resistance, and then you are done and out of there.

[Brandy]

I guess I should clarify that when I said both hands off of the handlebars, I meant while he was standing!

[Jen]

I saw the guy do the same thing. It was kinda funny lookin. I guess they drummed up that move for the quarterly presentation. The guy that designs the program is Dan McDonogh. He has a very impressive background cycling. I check it oun, typed in his name in Google.

[VenusdeVelo]

*Sigh*...hands off handlebars while standing, that's just not correct form. Enough said, I won't harp on it !!

Re: music though, I feel like we are genericizing these group fitness classes so anyone can teach them with little to no experience/training/style (ie, pre-programmed CDs and choreography). It's frustrating as I believe a good instructor is like a choreographer -- they know how to create music which suits the moves and they make it exciting, interesting and fun.

My 2 cents