Fitness enthusiasts in Ridgefield will soon be able to put a new spin on their workouts. JoyRide Cycling Studio, Fairfield County's first fitness boutique dedicated to indoor cycling, or Spinning®, will bring its high-energy, calorie-torching and full- body workouts to Ridgefield this December, JoyRide announced today. JoyRide will team up with Ridgefield residents Amy Pal and Corey Londoner to open their popular studio on Danbury Road in downtown Ridgefield.
JoyRide, which already has studios in Westport and Darien, is known for its premier group indoor cycling classes, led by talented and motivating instructors specially trained in the exclusive JoyRide Method. Enthusiastic riders infuse classes with energy, taking the ride from "just exercise" to an endorphin-surged and challenging workout, set to heart-pounding playlists.
"We are thrilled to partner with Amy and Corey to spread the joy to Ridgefield," said JoyRide co-founder Amy Hochhauser. "They have the perfect mix of passion and intensity to bring the energy of JoyRide to a new town. We know it's going to be a huge success."
Unable to find outstanding indoor cycling near their homes in Ridgefield, business partners Pal and Londoner have been driving almost two hours a day to take a 50-minute class at JoyRide in Westport. They immediately fell in love with the challenging workouts and positive energy at the studio, so they decided to join forces to "spread the joy" to their town.
"When I experienced JoyRide in Westport for the first time, I was immediately hooked," said Londoner. "It offers the level of quality I had come to expect when I first fell in love with spin 10 years ago in Manhattan. The classes are led by first-rate, inspirational instructors in a sleek studio, delivered in a hip and friendly setting. It really blew me away."
Knowing how fitness-obsessed their friends and neighbors are in Ridgefield, Pal and Londoner knew JoyRide would be a big hit in their hometown. Less than two months after they decided to join forces, they signed a lease. They plan to open their doors in December 2013.
Pal, who has a professional background in sales and marketing, said "the JoyRide brand is so phenomenal. It spoke to me!" She says the big difference is that JoyRide is more of a lifestyle choice than a gym. She and Londoner plan to build a lounge area in the state-of-the-art indoor cycling studio so friends can socialize after working out. They will also add high-end amenities, including showers and changing areas.
"Like the studios in Westport and Darien, we want our customers to feel like they are a part of something special," said Pal. "When they walk in the door they will experience that same warmth and camaraderie for a unique and fun workout that keeps you coming back."
The new 2500-square-foot studio will feature 35 top-of-the-line bikes, surrounded by premier sound and ventilation. "We are getting Performance Plus Schwinn bikes, which have ergonomic features for your hands that make your ride more comfortable," said Pal. "They're light and sturdy to ensure a very smooth ride."
Why JoyRide? Low Impact, High Calorie Burn
Because indoor cycling is interval-based -- the intensity varies throughout the class by changing body positions, pedal speed and resistance -- it is one of the most efficient ways to torch calories. Riders can burn between 600-800 calories in a single, 50-minute class. During the last 10 minutes of class, pedaling is combined with a form-focused upper body workout using a weighted body bar.
"Our riders get a whole-body workout on the bike, which translates into optimal results," said Lorenz. "Instructors at JoyRide emphasize safety and form throughout the ride. Riders are taught to engage abdominal muscles to create a more powerful pedal stroke and protect their lower backs, to breathe deeply while exerting themselves physically, and to clear their minds and disconnect from the busyness of their daily lives. Riders gain a 50-minute workout to improve mental and physical fitness."
While each JoyRider can control his or her own individual resistance and cadence on the bike, it's impossible not to feed off the other riders' collective energy. The group's enthusiasm can inspire, motivate, and push riders to a higher level of fitness and self-discovery.
Every JoyRide class is specifically choreographed to an ever-changing and diverse playlist of rock, pop, and hip-hop, classic and contemporary music to motivate riders and increase the fun factor. Instructors cue riders to ride to the beat, adjusting resistance appropriately to follow the tempo. Synchronizing the pedal speed or cadence to a beat enables riders to connect with the music and create rhythm on the bike.
JoyRide Ridgefield will be open seven days a week and will offer classes starting at 6 a.m. for the early risers and commuters, followed by consecutive classes through 1 p.m. They will reopen mid-afternoon for teen and tween classes, followed by evening classes.
For more information, class descriptions, instructor bios, blogs and reservations, please visit JoyRide's web site at joyridestudio.com. JoyRide Ridgefield's web site will be joyrideridgefield.com.
Costs: First class: Free Individual class: $24 5 classes: $110 10 classes: $215
Future Address: 62 Danbury Road, Ridgefield Web site: joyrideridgefield.com Facebook: facebook.com/joyrideridgefield Twitter: @joyride_ridge
Photo: Amy Pal (left) and Corey Londoner (right), both of Ridgefield, Conn., will open JoyRide Cycling Studio, a boutique indoor cycling studio, in December, 2013. Photo credit: Kendra Latauska