Spinning: History and Origin of Indoor Cycling

Study Notes

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

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 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.

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 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.