Spinning or Indoor Cycling: What's in a Name?
More than a year ago, we put together a blog post explaining why indoor cycling is sometimes referred to as 'spinning'. We made mention of the fact that plenty of studios advertise spinning classes with trained instructors. In the end, those classes are not all that different from other classes marketed as 'indoor cycling'. So what's in the name?
From an exercise standpoint, there is very little difference between spinning and indoor cycling. However, the term 'Spinning' itself is actually a brand name. It has been around since 1993 and belongs to a company known as Mad Dogg Athletics. When you see the term capitalized, it refers to Mad Dogg licensed classes and equipment. When the term is used without a capital letter, it is more of a generic term along the same lines as 'coke' or 'band-aid'.
Enforcing Their Brand Name
Mad Dogg Athletics has used discretion in exercising protection of its brand over the years. They have also registered Spinning and its derivatives as trademarks. Whether for good or bad, that hasn't stopped cycling studios and gyms from advertising spinning classes that are in no way related to Mad Dogg.
There are those who believe that the company would have a hard time enforcing its trademark in the U.S. based on similar cases involving Coca-Cola and Xerox. The term 'spinning' has become so common as to be generic, as long as it is not capitalized. We aren't legal experts, so there's really no way for us to comment one way or the other. However, we are experts on indoor cycling.
It's the Exercise That Counts
Whether you prefer attending a spinning class or an indoor cycling class doesn't much matter as long as you are getting exercise. How the studio or instructor refers to the class really isn't a big deal. The only exception would be wanting classes licensed by Mad Dogg Athletic.
Here at Mcycle, we are all about getting you on an indoor bike and motivating you to break a sweat while you listen to great music and follow along with an experienced instructor. We are more about high intensity, low impact exercise that gets the heart pumping and the muscles working. Whether or not you call our classes spinning classes doesn't matter to us.
Classes for Every Level
We also hope you aren't intimidated by TV commercials and online ads. We are very proud of our studio, classes, and instructors. We are equally proud of our no-pressure environment. You don't have to be an expert to enjoy indoor cycling classes at our Salt Lake City. We have classes for every level, led by instructors who genuinely care about each and every guest.
Our classes feature routines that are thought out in advance and choreographed to music. In other words, our instructors don't fly by the seat of their pants – either literally or figuratively. Every move they introduce to a class is introduced for a reason.
Our goal is to combine great music with purposeful routines to get you moving. When all is said and done, we want you to have a great workout that leaves you tired in a good way. We want your body to enjoy the benefits of purposeful exercise in a controlled environment. We believe that this is the best way we can help you live a healthy lifestyle enhanced by regular exercise.
Whether it's indoor cycling, spinning, or something entirely different, getting on a stationary bike and putting in 30 to 60 minutes is great exercise. We would recommend it to anyone looking for a high intensity, low impact option.