The fitness craze taking the World by storm

It’s almost impossible to escape the words “spin class” when discussing health and fitness in 2019. Like many trends, this has amassed an unbelievable following which is only getting bigger and just as we thought we were excluded from this international phenomenon, it started popping up at gyms and studios in Auckland. So what exactly are spin classes and why are everyone and their mother obsessed?

Indoor cycling or “spinning” became a fitness trend way back in the mid-1980s, the programme was developed by a South African endurance bicycle racer Johnny Goldberg and by 1996 more than a thousand spinning facilities opened worldwide. So why has it only recently come back in vogue?

We have fitness giant SoulCycle to thank for that, the New York City-based company opened its doors over ten years ago and has rapidly gained popularity over the United States. The level of exclusivity is almost cult-ish. In Los Angeles culture anyone who is anyone can be found at a SoulCycle class - celebrities, social media influencers, designers and politicians. It’s easy to understand the appeal - it is a highly effective full-body cardio workout, there is an exciting energy about indoor cycling or spin-classes and the mantras encourage confidence in your skin.

Walking into any fitness class can feel daunting but spin classes have an air of positivity about them - the music is loud and upbeat and you are positioned in rows, often the ambiance includes dim lighting. It’s so easy it’s like riding a bike - right? It’s popularity certainly doesn’t mean that it’s easy. It’s an intense workout that pushes you to your limit but leaves you feeling like you’ve accomplished the best exercise of your life.

Wondering where you can try spin classes for yourself in Auckland? Check out these spots. -Westward Cycle in Newmarket

-District Fitness Studios in Auckland CBD -VBike Indoor Cycling Studio in Auckland CBD