Just one year after launching Indoor Cycling Power Certification under the Heart Zones® banner, Gene Nacey, founder of Cycling Fusion & Global Ride Productions has purchased the Indoor Cycling arm of this Industry giant.
[USPRwire, Tue Oct 19 2010] Many group Indoor Cycling programs have come and gone over the years, but the Heart Zones® brand has stood the test of time since since Sally Edwards, MA, MBA launched it. The program is in part the one she used to set Ironman and Race Across America records. However, getting traction in a market where all Indoor Cycling programs (many times inadvertently referred to as Spinning®) have been over-shadowed by the original Mad Dogg Athletics program has been a daunting task. While Heart Zones® hung its hat on the value of training with a heart monitor, the industry was still more driven by the sounds and sweat than substance and science.
However, the last 3 years has seen a slow but very noticeable change taking root in the marketplace. Virtual cycling ride simulations on 10 foot screens, new magnetic resistance (instead of old brake methods) stationary bikes, the addition of power meters (the holy grail in training for the serious cyclist), and full blown winter training programs designed for the outdoor rider have all begun to broaden the appeal of this popular group exercise activity. While the typical “spinner®” will still find driving music and a kick a_ _ workout in their cycling room, they may also find new bikes with new technology and instructors that are no longer satisfied with the status quo.
“After being certified by Mad Dogg and opening a dedicated Spinning® studio, I quickly began to understand why the outdoor cyclists were not coming to class. I raced MTB for 10 years and had a few years of road riding under me as well. The cycling community needed a lot more science and sport specific training than what they would normally find in Spin® class. That lead to my work with Sally Edwards and Heart Zones®. The heart rate training began to bring them in, but I have to say, it wasn’t until the Keiser power bikes arrived that they began to take us seriously. This combination became quite compelling.” explains Gene Nacey, founder of Cycling Fusion
Purchasing the Heart Zones® Cycling program from Sally Edwards became a logical next step for the veteran entrepreneur. Having successfully built multiple technology companies in his career, Nacey saw the opportunity to bring the two worlds of indoor and outdoor cycling together. He even wrote a manifesto describing this vision in 2007. The training tools of heart rate and power were now within reach of any commercial facility. Providing that the educational component is well founded on science and proven cycling training concepts and programs, the entrepreneur is gambling is that there is a whole market segment waiting to be tapped and added to the membership rolls of existing fitness clubs.
The purchasing of the Heart Zones® Cycling division provides the cardiovascular foundation, while the Power Training system developed by Nacey early last year (specifically well suited for adaptation with stationary bikes) has provides the “top-end” component on which to build such a brand new program. Added to the deal is Ms Edwards continual endorsement of the Cycling Fusion Indoor Cycling program, and the retraining of her army of master trainers to help the new program expand.
“Gene may be the only person I know that could pull of a real industry wide shift in this Indoor Cycling space. His technology background and business success is likely to be a silver bullet to add to what he has already started with Global Ride Productions (his virtual cycling video company), the Power Training system and now our Heart Zones® training. He has both the passion and the vision for seeing the outdoor community embrace real training indoors. I’m delighted to sell him our Cycling division as we move into more generalized cardiovascular training. We’ve laid down a strong foundation for him, but his unique position as rider, owner, educator and technologist will be the difference-maker. I believe the market place will see Cycling Fusion as the only way to go, to ride, to get fit on a bike.” Said Sally Edwards, founder of Heart Zones®, USA.
The new Indoor Cycling program and Certification System is being offered beginning in 2011, with Cycling Fusion’s Winter Training program being used as the launch pad. This 12 week program is designed to show the local cycling community the breadth of the company’s expertise. Individual instructor certifications are also being conducted to begin to prepare the market place for a nationwide presence.
Spinning®, and Spin® are registered trademarks of Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc
Heart Zones® is a registered trademark of Heart Zones®, USA
ABOUT THE COMPANIES
Cycling Fusion™ is a company dedicated to bringing the best of indoor and outdoor cycling together through technology, education and certification for indoor cycling. Cycling Fusion™ certifies both facilities as well as Indoor Cycling instructors for implementing and teaching Indoor Cycling. Cycling Fusion™ aims to bring more outdoor cyclists inside to train, and more indoor cyclists outside to experience the joys and adventure of riding outside.
Heart Zones®, USA is the company that created the original heart-rate training systems. Starting in 1993, the company leads events using Sally Edwards' Heart Zones Training system using the heart rate data and monitors for health, fitness, and enhanced performance. Today, we have added power meters, speed-and-distance monitors, and VO2 metabolic carts for individuals and organizations, and specialty applications for weight management, emotional fitness training, swim-bike-run training, schools, hospitals, and much, much more.
More Information: Cycling Fusion™, 2809 Leechburg Road, Lower Burrell, PA 15068, Contact: Nina Wilczek, giretto@cyclingfusion.com
More Information: Nina Wilczek, Director of Media Relations, Cycling Fusion™, 2809 Leechburg Road, Lower Burrell, PA 15068, (724) 594-0229
