» Product Focus
Stationary Bike’s Popularity Keeps
ROLLING ALONG Bikes in demand by all types of members
issues and people who are working around injuries especially appreciate the seated non-weight-bearing work- out, says Samantha Schill, fitness man- ager at Spa Lady, in Edmonton, Alberta. “Our bikes are very popular with
members,” says Schill, whose 15 up- right bikes and 20 recumbent bikes are used by about 75 percent of her club’s members. “The recumbent bikes are the easiest to set up and the safest and most comfortable, so new members of- ten start here and then progress to the upright bikes and then spinning.”
Favoured by athletes Sports enthusiasts are also big cy-
cling fans, says Cluett. “During the winter, upright bikes
generally get a lot of use from skiers and hockey players who use them for warming up and cooling down or for a full 30- or 40-minute cardio workout,” he says. “The large range of motion at the knees and hips makes the bike a better choice for them compared to some of the other options.”
No-fuss maintenance From a maintenance perspective,
upright bike is holding its own, says Chris Cluett, director of operations at Spartan Fitness Equipment, which is based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. In fact, its popularity may have
W
surged ahead somewhat in the past few years. “Upright bikes are getting more use
on the gym floor these days because of the popularity of spin classes,” says Cluett, noting that his company finds most clubs typically allot 25 to 30
42 Fitness Business Canada March/April 2014
hile the treadmill and el- liptical are longstand- ing kings of the cardio floor, the time-honoured
percent of their cardio equipment to a combination of upright and recum- bent bikes.
Quick and easy According to Cluett, while group
cycling classes have boosted the sta- tus and appeal of the on-the-floor sta- tionary bike, the bike’s familiarity and non-intimidating presence are equally responsible for its ongoing popularity: a simple seat adjustment and the push of a “quick start” button, and you are off and rolling. The bike is ideal for all fitness lev- els, but beginners, exercisers with joint
the bike is a dream machine and is by far the least expensive piece on the gym floor to maintain. Bikes have no points or joints that require lubricat- ing; all of the components are sealed inside and they don’t take the same pounding as a treadmill. “You really just need to wipe them
down, be sure that the pedals are tight to the cranks and that the computer- ized programs are working well,” says Cluett, underscoring the bike’s im- pressive return on investment. A good bike will typically last six to10 years only needing to be replaced when it starts to look outdated in a sea of other more-recent equipment purchases.
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