Where the Road Meets the Rhythm: The Reignition of Indoor Cycling
In recent years, there’s been a lot of talk about the future of indoor cycling. Whether at major fitness conferences, virtual panels, or casual conversations among fitness professionals, the whispers are growing louder:
- “Indoor cycling is dying.”
- “Digital experiences are killing the In-Real-Life draw”
- “COVID Annihilated us because members prefer home workouts.”
- “Classes aren’t filling up because we’ve lost our instructors.”
- “People just don’t want to do indoor cycling anymore.”
These whispers have led to a significant reduction in the number of cycling classes offered around the world. Even worse, some clubs have announced the complete cancellation of their indoor cycling programs. As I write this I am across the street from my health club that just announced the cancellation of classes all together and the selling of their bikes.
But is indoor cycling really on its way out? In 2018 pre-pandemic and right as Peloton hit it’s stride I wrote a blog post titled Peloton Killed the Cardio Star and while outdated my insights into upskilling and finding the balance between instructor and entertainment was imperative for survival of IRL classes. Fittertainment is a real thing and as much as we wish we were not’ required to be persona driven; we must be both to build and retain members.
Is Indoor Cycling on an inevitable decline? Not so fast.
There are still programs thriving, and it’s not just luck. These are the programs that have invested in great instructors, talent development, and leadership that values the importance of cycling in their fitness offerings. The truth is, cardio never goes out of style— it will always be a vital component of physical fitness and a necessity for overall health. While there’s a ton of reasons consumers love to ride at home there are also immense limitations including financial, social emotional connection and motivation. I have a bike in my living room but somehow jumping on it alone feels like a stretch 90% of the time.
Indoor cycling, when done right, offers a unique and exhilarating experience that’s hard to match. The thrill of group cycling is amplified when instructors are equipped with the right tools and techniques to create engaging, rhythm-based classes that keep riders coming back. Instructors who know how to own the stage can be developed and the system is simple.
That’s where Swerve Cycle Instructor Training comes in. We want to upgrade and pack your classes again with the signature style of teaching. This program equips instructors with science-backed techniques and rhythm-based programming designed to elevate the cycling experience. No more guesswork—just meaningful, competitive experiences that resonate with riders. Instructors can be taught how to find that special “thing” that draws people into their classes and at least occasionally off their bikes at home.
It’s time to reimagine indoor cycling. With the right strategy, we can revitalize this category, fill classes, and make it more thrilling and relevant than ever. Discover how combining the essence of a road ride with the energy of the ultimate rhythm ride can transform the experience.
Movement Matters 