by Bob Lachniet
President -
Fitness 4 Home Superstore
Check out what could be the best addition to your home fitness equipment lineup – The Real Ryder ABF8 Spin Bike from Fitness 4 Home Superstore.
It tilts, turns, and banks like an outdoor bike--works out the core, upper body, legs, cardio, and improves balance the way other indoor cycling bikes can’t.
- Core Balance(patent pending) technology allows frame to move freely requiring constant body shifts that work core muscle groups.
- Mobile frame helps absorb the stresses that wear out parts on conventional rigid-frame bikes.
- Visual “WOW” factor attracts new customers.
- Real-world feel increases customers retention by making classes more fun.
What makes the RealRyder ABF8 unique?
The RealRyder ABF8 vision began over 15 years ago when competitive cyclist and RealRyderTM International co-founder, Colin Irving, saw a need to improve the performance of the stationary bike to simulate the real bike experience. Colin shared his dream and teamed with industry experts Sean Harrington and Rich Hanson. With 60 plus years of combined industry experience, the RealRyder International team engineered a superior performance studio bike to meet the needs of the elite-cyclist for training and performance, inspire the indoor cyclist, and literally recast the indoor cycling workout from what was essentially a cardiorespiratory endurance exercise, to an overall fitness program. The Wellness, Senior Living, and Physical Therapy Markets have all recognized the potential benefits of the RealRyder ABF8 for their end-users.
The uniqueness of the RealRyder ABF8 originates from its innovative series of linkages and pivots known as the Articulating Bicycle Frame (ABF). This design allows the rider to move fluidly in the three planes of movement—CoreBalance™ Technology. With the body free to move in the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes, riders can sustain a quick pedal cadence while controlling the bike’s sagittal, frontal, and longitudinal axes of rotation. The resulting three-dimensional movement requires the activation of more muscle groups than are used on a typical stationary bike. The large muscles of the lower body work in conjunction with the upper body and core musculature to provide a whole-body, high-calorie-burning workout. Furthermore, these complex moves also help improve the rider’s postural balance.
Benefits
Participants of all fitness levels and abilities can benefit from indoor cycling. Traditionally, the physical benefits included improved cardiorespiratory endurance, increased muscle strength and endurance, and improved body composition (i.e., decreased body fat and increased lean mass). Now, with the introduction of the RealRyder ABF8, riders can experience the advantages of enhanced core conditioning as well. Additionally, participation in a fun, social activity and stress relief are important psychological benefits of indoor cycling.
Cardiorespiratory Fitness
For those who enjoy riding a bike as a means of improving fitness, the benefits of indoor cycling cannot be overstated. The relative safety* and limited distractions provided by an indoor cycling program allow participants to focus on exercise intensity and technique, instead of worrying about cars, pollutants, and other road hazards. For those who cannot tolerate the impact stresses of running, or who have orthopedic limitations to weightbearing exercise, cycling has always been an excellent, alternative cardiorespiratory activity.
*A note regarding Safety while using the ABF8--A frequently asked question: “Can someone tip the bike(sic) over?” The ABF8 has the widest base of support (31”) of any Indoor Cycle in the fitness industry, and it is the heaviest (222 lbs), which makes it very stable and almost impossible to tip over. We have had users who are 6’7” and 270+ lbs attempt to intentionally tip the ABF8 over and they could not do it while they could intentionally tip over every other stationary bike in the commercial fitness industry—All of the other stationary models have a narrow base of support and lighter overall weight.
Muscular Fitness
Traditional indoor group cycling programs take place on rigid, stationary cycles. The RealRyder ABF8, however, introduces the rider to more functionally dynamic training, including movements that call into action the upper-body muscles. The handlebars on the RealRyder ABF8 allow the rider to produce an actual turning movement, or rotation through a longitudinal axis, similar to what is experienced on a road bike. The body of the bike also tilts side-to-side, or sways in the frontal plane through a sagittal axis. In addition, the rotation of the handlebars and the tilt of frame are resisted by the bike’s internal recoil mechanism, providing a challenge for the upper-body and core musculature.
