I hope this newsletter finds you happy and healthy this holiday season

When I founded the Spinning® program nearly 20 years ago, I introduced the fitness community to a training system heavily steeped in athletic training principles. These simple, yet effective practices made all of the difference in my success as a competitive athlete. It has always been my belief that these same training techniques could make anyone fit and healthy.

According to the annual worldwide study conducted by the ACSM, indoor cycling continues to hold a place in the top 20 fitness trends for the coming year. The study cites its on gong success as: "pedaling outdoors without temperature, humidity, or other environmental changes. The pedal tension on the stationary bike can be varied to simulate riding uphill or through valleys. Upbeat background music motivates people through this relatively high-intensity workout." Despite the proven success of what has given indoor cycling its longevity, some programs have given up on teaching fundamental training techniques in favor of entertaining participants by externalizing focus with choreographed routines, matching pedal strokes (RPM) to beats of music (BPM), or using weights and questionable movements while on the bike, rather than inspiring them to reach their true capacity .

Whether pedaling with the arms while Kranking®, or legs while Spinning, there is no doubt that performance will always have greater effectiveness and deeper meaning when participants are engaged in what they're doing, and empowered to follow their own training plan.

In 1999, i wrote the SPINTENSITY™ Training Guide₁ with Brad Kearns. This became the prerequisite for advancing to the highest level of the STAR program. At the core of SPINTENSITY, is the use of the heart rate monitor as the tool for measuring and quantifying performance. In 2012, there may be more technically sophisticated methods of measurement, but the simplicity and accessibility of heart rate monitors still make them the perfect companion for athletes of all levels.

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