ABU DHABI // Many residents say they prefer stationary cycling in gyms for exercise instead of cycling on the roads and facing the risky driving behaviour of motorists.
The hot and humid summer months were another key factor.
“There is a fun environment, music and an instructor there as well,” said Sharon Robert, a 39-year-old New Yorker, speaking of her spinning classes. “When you have a class you feel more committed to it and, of course, it’s much safer and in a controlled environment.
“Whereas outside, I am not sure about the drivers and road hazards as well,” said Ms Robert, who has been attending spinning classes for five years.
She attends the classes three times a week in winter and four times a week in summer.
“I go running outside, but I’ve never thought about cycling outside and I don’t feel comfortable cycling next to cars,” she said.
Nikki Heckels, a 37-year-old Briton, said she had never considered cycling to work.
Spinning classes, she said, were “safer and a nicer environment to meet people”.
“I wouldn’t feel safe if I was on a bicycle outdoors. I have a bike that I use sometimes during weekends. I take it to the Corniche to ride,” said the housewife, who attends spinning classes at Zayed Sports City.
“If somebody is new to a country, they can make some friends. Spinning is the best thing for me. I look for more activities to do here, but my main focus is spinning.”
Australian Mim Kleiberg, 35, an instructor at The Room club, agreed that spinning was a much safer form of cycling and that indoor and outdoor cycling had similar health benefits.
“We have a programme where you can wear a heart-rate monitor and you can do a scientific workout and monitor how many calories you’ve burnt,” she said.
Ms Kleiberg said her club members loved indoor spinning, because it was safe and convenient. “On a spinning machine, it’s as safe as standing. You can’t fall. It’s also good if people don’t know how to cycle, people just have to sit on the bike and push the pedals,” she said.
anwar@thenational.ae
