Give yourself a sweaty smile with Rhythm Cycling
New fitness regimen in Thong Lor draws people of all ages, shapes and sizes
Completely dark apart from flashing LED lights, the studio resonated with music, energy and excitement. The rows of bikes were full, both women and men, pedalling to the beat of the music, doing push-ups and other movements on the two-wheeler that serves as an extension of their bodies.
Everyone was fully focused at Rhythm Cycling — a trending regimen that combines cardiovascular exercise with dance choreography and upbeat music in a positive and fun environment.
Absolute You’s new workout is another reinvention of indoor cycling, following its popularity in the US driven by the SoulCycle studio, whose “cardio party” started in New York City a decade ago.
This version was designed by Kris Pennell, who co-founded Full Psycle studio in Orange County, California.
Over the last 10 years, Pennell (who’s also a certified personal trainer, yoga and Pilates instructor) has seen exercise routines becoming more intense and complex, with fitness studios pushing each other to offer something more innovative.
Instructing classes in locations from Alaska and Africa to Asia, he comes to Bangkok every three months to oversee the Rhythm Cycling training available at Absolute You, on the second floor of The Commons community mall, in Thong Lor 17.
The master trainer spoke to Life and encouraged even those not so keen on physical exercise to come for an exhilarating calorie-burning spin.
What is Rhythm Cycling?
Simply put, it’s a high-intensity dance class on an apparatus that happens to be a bike.
Rhythm Cycling is designed around the music. When there is a build up in the music, the workout is more hardcore.
Counting to the beat, the instructor changes the moves and pedalling speed according to the upbeat music and occasionally more mellow tropical Caribbean tunes.
The rhythm-based routine allows you to enjoy the music and lose yourself in the moment.
How is it different from SoulCycle?
They started the movement. Worldwide, there are now thousands of studios that promote and instruct indoor cycling — many of them offering something unique in their own way.
Our Rhythm Cycling moves are more complex and we do a lot more upper movements on the bike to the beat of mostly electronic dance music.
Why should people join Rhythm Cycling?
It beats going to the gym. You can come to the class and have a blast without any intimidation, even if you don’t know how to exercise.
The LED lighting system makes the atmosphere similar to a Vegas nightclub. Catering to both men and women, it’s a group experience of the same energy as going to a nightclub but positively healthy.
Does it appeal to a specific age group?
In general, we find people in their 30s coming to the class. But those in their late teens to those in their 50s as well as overweight people can do Rhythm Cycling on a custom-fit bike adjusted to their situation.
You are in control of how hard you want the regimen be, and you can make it hard as you want by adding more resistance.
Besides health, what are the benefits of this workout?
You get to meet new people and make friends. Rhythm Cycling puts emphasis on riding and building a community at the same time.
What is your goal in leading a session?
I try to take participants through a workout that pushes them out of their comfort zone in order to complete something they thought they could not do.
Training together in a group, people further push themselves beyond their limits. Everyone leaves with a sense of accomplishment as well as a gigantic sweaty smile.