I first became certified in Group Exercise when I was 21 years old. I was a senior in college at The University of Tampa, about to graduate with my BFA in Art History. I was an avid gym-goer, but never thought teaching fitness was part of my path. The organization AFAA – Athletics and Fitness Association of America – set up a certification course one winter weekend. I signed up. My interest was in teaching Spin -- or indoor cycling – and lucky enough for me they were offering that course in addition to basic aerobics. I attended the two-day certification and walked out of my college rec center as a Group Exercise instructor with a specialty in Indoor Cycling. But now what? Well, the year was 2009 and no one was hiring amidst the recession. 

I began teaching cycling as a means to pay rent for my Cambridge, Mass apartment. Harvard Business School’s gym, Shad Hall, was my first professional fitness job outside of teaching my final semester of college. The cycle studio was basement level, we strung twinkle lights around the room and jammed out to some incredible beats from the early 2000s; Miley Cyrus, Outkast and Black-Eyed Peas to name a few.

The classes were packed – setting up a ticket system for members to secure their bike 3hr before the classes began. There were road riders, exercise enthusiasts, weekend workout-ers and newbies all in attendance. I learned quickly that music – whatever genre – was critical in creating an upbeat and energy-packed class. Not long after, I became certified by the organization Schwinn and began to learn their programming, officially called “Spinning.”

My love for teaching only grew and I began to realize my passion for health, wellness and coaching- should ultimately be my full-time career. In 2014 I auditioned for my first teaching role at a boutique cycling studio in Cambridge. Smaller, independently-owned studios were popping up everywhere; they were high end -- think Flywheel and SoulCycle – and were gaining popularity amongst city dwellers from New York to LA. Boston soon followed. Music-fueled, beat-driven and highly choreographed; this was the start of Spin, a workout hype that many were flocking to, paying upwards of $50 for a singular class. 

The height of indoor cycling, I believe, really peaked at this time. Competition between studios grew, you had your favorite instructors and reserved your bike online in advance. Social media was just taking off, as well. Instructors began to have followings outside of the four walls of the spin room and could begin to monetize off of their brand online; partnering with companies like Lululemon, Under Armour and Nike.

Unfortunately, like many companies, the presence of COVID in 2020 shut down a lot of these smaller gyms. But, just like many trends in the fitness industry, ready to rise to the top were virtual classes, such as Peloton. This new evolution of indoor cycle took exercisers out of the dark, bass-bumping atmosphere they were accustomed to and introduced them to a world where community was digital, yet dependable. 

So, what’s next for indoor cycling? Only time will tell. However, it’s safe to say spinning, cycle and indoor bikes are here to stay. Whether you appreciate a theme-based ride or speedy sprints, cycling on a stationary bike is a great way to incorporate heart-pumping cardio into your workout. Hope to see you on the bike soon!