I’ve taken just one spinning class.

It was many years ago at a far-inferior gym. The instructor did a lot of yelling and not much motivating. I did a lot of sweating, and not much pedaling.

The spinning classes at Midtown, though, look like a blast. My friends who take them love them and rave about the instructors, one of whom, I’ve recently discovered, is a treasure-trove of knowledge about cycle power-training and how it whips you into shape much faster than a series of traditional spinning classes.

If you’ve been in the club recently, you’ve noticed the Psyclewerks poster outside the Cycling Room. It has lights and a moving cyclist, so if you haven’t seen it yet, do check it out.

Psyclewerks is the cycle-based, power-training brainchild of Personal Trainer Doug Rusho. He created Psyclewerks to help participants achieve an increase in fitness and measurable results from their training on power-measuring bikes found in only a few elite facilities across the globe.

In the Psyclewerks program, you work at levels specific to your current fitness level. Doug describes this as similar to knowing how much weight you can lift. It’s a weight that’s right for you and you alone, and the same is true for your cycling “power zone.” 

Your bike’s computer provides instant feedback about your effort every second you’re on it. It measures how fast you pedal and how hard you push against the pedals. These power numbers translate into watts. The more watts you produce, the harder you’re working, and the more calories you’re burning.

The power numbers allow you to ride at exactly the right intensity at each part in the ride. The guesswork of wondering whether you’re riding at the correct level is eliminated.

Doug says, “Because we can measure it, we can train to improve it. When you complete the program, you will know if you have taken your fitness to a higher level.”

Lest you think that the fun of a traditional spinning class will be lost in a Psyclewerks power-training class, think again. Doug assures me that the classes rely heavily on music that he meticulously chooses, and custom-edits to match the effort required and to make the class flow well.

“Psyclewerks provides the ultimate combination of technical aspects for results, and entertainment for motivation and fun,” says Doug.

If you’re a results-oriented person (or a Type A like me) then this sounds like the perfect program for you.

Want to know what a Psyclewerks class looks like?

Take a look at one of Doug’s classes at the club. While this isn’t exactly like a Psyclewerks class, it will give you a general idea of what to expect.

The 8-week Psyclewerks program begins on Sunday, October 10th. Grab a pamphlet from the Psyclewerks poster outside the Cycling Room, or email Doug at doug.rusho@midtown.com for more information.

Have you done power training before? Tell us about it!

1 COMMENT FROM Kathy Eldridge September 26, 2010 at 12:20 pm

Looks interesting, but more importantly, looks like FUN! Doug seems really inspirational. With the “real-thing” mountain trails here in Lake Placid, I can identify!

2 COMMENT FROM Kristi September 26, 2010 at 6:57 pm

His class looks like a blast, doesn’t it? I hope it runs again early next year, because I would love to try it.

3 October 21, 2010 at 7:38 am

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