Spinning: History and Origin of Indoor Cycling

Spinning: The History and Origin of the Indoor Bike

• Spinning is considered one of the most effective programs for building endurance and shedding excess pounds, perfect for fitness and health.

Origin and Development of Spinning

• Indoor cycling, a preliminary form of spinning, developed in the USA in the 1970s and early 1980s.
• Stationary bikes, also known as bicycle ergometers, were initially used in sports medicine for performance tests, but later in fitness studios and wellness centers.
• The term spinning and the spinning bike in its current form did not appear until a few years later.
• Jonathan "Jonny G" Goldberg, a South African cyclist, is considered the inventor of spinning.

Goldberg's Journey

• Goldberg was preparing for the 3,100-mile Race Across America when he narrowly escaped accidental death during a late-night workout.
• He decided to carry out his preparation mainly within his own four walls from then on.
• His self-created training program became popular with friends and neighbors due to its effectiveness and low risk.
• Goldberg continued to optimize his indoor training, combining it with music, and by the early 1990s, modern spinning was born.

Commercialization of Spinning

• Goldberg launched the first commercial spinning bike with his business partner John Baudhuin just four years later.
• In 1994, they founded the company "Mad Dogg Athletics" and registered the term spinning as a protected trademark.
• The first international spinning trade fair, the "World Spinning and Sport Conference", opened its doors in Los Angeles in 1999.

Spinning Today

• Spinning has become a worldwide fitness trend, with numerous fitness studios offering spinning classes.
• The big advantage of spinning compared to conventional cycling is that everyone can individually adjust the desired intensity on the spinning bike.
• Motivation is guaranteed by pedaling in a group and the rhythmic music.