Looking to increase attendance in your cycling classes? With gym memberships growing and fewer studios devoted exclusively to the activity, fitness centers are well-positioned to grow their indoor cycling business.

Time To Put the Pedal to the Metal

What makes it a good time to focus on your cycling offerings? Well, now that the pandemic is behind us, many people are returning to gyms for the social benefits. Group exercise, in particular, is on the rise after taking a nosedive during COVID. It stands to reason that many folks have grown tired of exercising in solitude and socially distanced. They’re now looking for more social interaction and a sense of community in conjunction with their fitness routines. Indoor cycling classes are a great avenue for pursuing fitness goals while also building bonds and having fun with others.

Additionally, exercisers today seek engaging, experiential workouts tailored to their unique tastes and preferences. Strictly jogging on a treadmill or peddling to an iTunes playlist is so passé. Instead, fitness consumers crave an element of adventure and immersion. Thanks to the availability of high-tech visual and audio features including virtual reality, it’s easy to offer gym-goers a spot in the Tour de France, intergalactic tours and everything in between.

Another reason to invest in cycling: its broad appeal. A stationary or spin bike offers the full gamut of exercise intensities, which make them great options for those just starting their fitness journey as well as top-tier athletes. Workouts are safe and customizable for beginners thanks to the limited amount of skill required and low-impact nature of the activity. But seasoned cyclists also can get a great, high-intensity aerobic workout while biking indoors.

Ways To Get the Wheels Spinning

Looking to get more riders in seats at existing classes or increase the frequency of operations in your indoor cycling space? Some smart strategies for improving your facility’s studio and offerings include:

1. Reduce the number of bikes – and create a waitlist for classes. It’s the basic economic principle of supply and demand, really. With fewer seats in your classes, sessions are more likely to reach capacity. And when members see your cycle studio filled to the brim class after class, day after day, this piques interest and creates greater hype and demand for the fun and excitement happening in that room.
2. Bigger is better when it comes to biking. But we aren’t talking square footage, necessarily. Instead, it’s smart to aim high when it comes to bike quality, class variety, and studio amenities in the form of technological capabilities and, frankly, screen size. The “IMAX experience” is pretty thrilling on a bike. Anything that contributes to a studio’s “wow” factor – think fully immersive cinema screens, amazing sound capabilities and acoustics, and digital lighting effects – will get members’ attention and likely have them clamoring to get in on the cycling experience. Consider offering a range of classes to appeal to a broad spectrum of interests. This could include virtual rides with in-demand, “celebrity” instructors; HIIT cycling; beat-based sessions set to music; themed rides; and so much more.
3. Timing is everything. With many American workers still reluctant to head back to the office, it’s crucial to schedule your classes beyond weekday mornings – especially if occupancy rates in the building remain low. Evening, lunchtime and weekend sessions are needed to make class times convenient for a greater number of people these days. Plus, the more frequently your studio is in use, the better it looks and appeals to outsiders.

If you’re curious about enhancing cycling amenities within your own center, contact Aquila to explore your options. With more than 25 years of experience designing, managing and increasing engagement in health and wellness facilities, we bring a wealth of knowledge and industry expertise to the table.