Indoor Cycling
Midtown Sanctuaire General Manager, Richard Earney, talks us through his latest development: The MCycle Studio. Indoor Cycling is hugely popular in Montreal, and this studio combines the latest in technology and design to bring a complete experience to its members. Already getting international attention, this studio is leading the way for membership- based clubs.
What makes the MCycle Studio so special?
We spent a lot of time planning and putting this together. There was a lot of research and development put into this studio. Firstly, we enlarged the studio to fit the maximum class size. We now have 70 bikes.
We then factored in the audio and visual components. Creating an immersive experience was at the forefront of our design, which meant the sound system needed to be top of the game. We added four 65-inch screens, with Apple TV, for video playback. All of these features are coupled with the latest in technology, MYRIDE by MATRIX and MYZONE, which is already embedded into the club culture. The entire environment and mood of the studio is controlled by the touch of an iPad.
Tell us about the Matric 1C7 Bikes
We have 20 of these bikes, recently voted the premier indoor cycling bikes on the market. We’re trialing them, looking at their functionality and comfort. So far the feedback is excellent. The settings are easy to adjust, and I adore the console that measures wattage and power, and lights up with the same colors as MYZONE, creating a room full of colors matching the intensity of the class. A great combination for any performance cyclist or someone who likes biofeedback and metrics on their exercise sessions.
Can you tell us about the programming?
Midtown is passionate about being a leader in programming! We’ve created three programmed rides, to suit the members. Gone are the days of one ride fits all!
Midtown Funk: This ride is all about the FUNK, the music, the lights, the experience, and the party!
Midtown Journey: This ride is about performance, immersion, setting targets and metrics (heart rate, effort, wattage and power) to provide feedback and make movement measurable.
Midtown Sprint: 30-minute express class to fit your busy schedule. This ride is based on intervals, to get your heart rate up, have fun, and leave feeling like you have had a great workout.
To match, we have an all-star team of teachers to lead the classes. These programs will be launching soon.
Anything else we need to know?
YES, we commissioned a local photographer, Félix Renaud, to take pictures of iconic local locations. Finally, we selected the Five Roses building down town, a Montreal centre point. Creating the large wall paper you now see on the wall required 27 photos. We also added a flushing light to give it a washed out look and feel. In addition, we added a unique corner to corner LED curtain behind the teacher and screens. Used for large night clubs, this curtain has over 30 pre-programmed experiences and reacts to sound, changing the ambience based on the teacher’s music.