The UK's first integrated ‘spinning'-style fitness class is now available at The Aspire National Training Centre in Stanmore - Europe's first fully integrated leisure facility and training centre for disabled and non-disabled people.
Wheelchair users can now enjoy a challenging cardiovascular and upper-body workout on the innovative Krankcycle, developed by the founder of the ‘Spinning' indoor cycling phenomenon, Johnny G. Aspire has created fully inclusive classes, where Krankcycles sit alongside traditional ‘Spinning'-style bikes and give disabled and non-disabled people the chance to push their fitness levels together.
“We introduced indoor cycling in 2009 and it's been hugely popular as a fun, high-energy workout. We were extremely excited when we heard that Kranking was coming to the UK as we aim to make exercise as inclusive as we can for our members. The innovative Krankcycles open up the ‘Spinning'-style experience to those with no lower-body mobility, and all of our instructors have been fully trained in how to use the Krankcycle safely and effectively,” said Centre Manager, Rosie Williams. “With the arrival of Kranking in the UK we hope many more leisure facilities will follow our lead in helping people of all abilities train together by establishing similar classes of their own.”
“Before the Krankcycles arrived, I only ever used the gym by myself. It's great to be in such a varied class environment, and I've made some friends already,” said an Aspire gym member. “I didn't expect the class to be such hard work, but the instructor is always pushing us. I didn't think that as a wheelchair user, there were many classes for people like me, but since starting Kranking, I can feel the benefits already.”
The Kranking Training System has been brought to the UK by Matrix Fitness Systems who developed the programme in partnership with American fitness pioneer, Johnny G. According to the team at Krankcycle, the system focuses on the upper-body only to build cardio fitness, aerobic capacity and core stability, making it accessible for those without the use of their legs. This can be due to central disabilities, spinal cord injuries and even those rehabilitating from lower body injuries. To use the Krankcycle people need upper-body mobility and good hand dexterity.
The first fusion class at Aspire took place in January 2010, and showcased how the Krankcycle works. Classes are free for full Centre members or £6.55 per class for non-members. Classes run for 45 minutes. The Aspire National Training Centre is located next to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, and is also home to the spinal injury charity, Aspire.
The Aspire website is HERE