Move over, stationary cycling. There’s a new bike in town, and this one is a moving experience in every sense of the expression. If you ever wondered how you have been performing in your spin classes over the past month, now you will know. The wireless technology inside Buka Bike can capture your daily results and store them in your online account.Traverse City’s first and only boutique cycling studio, Buka Bike, brings you the ride of your life, with fun and functional “unstationary” indoor cycling classes wired with data sensors. This dynamic method integrates several muscle groups for a cohesive, total body workout that improves strength, stability and coordination while increasing cardio capacity and burning extra calories - more than traditional “spinning”.At the studio’s downtown location, RealRyder indoor cycles stand ready on articulating frames to turn, tilt and lean, closely simulating the fluid sensation and total body challenges of actual cycling. Class participants are guided through an energizing and exhilarating workout by one of the studio’s trainers, where they perform a range of dynamic, functional movements. This delivers a comprehensive, cardio-intensive upper and lower body workout, going well beyond the limits of a traditional stationary bike or spinning class. Best of all, it’s fun!One of the most unique features inside the studio is the wireless performance data tracking system. While most bikes show limited data on a small display screen during class, the bikes at Buka allow participants to track calories burned, maximum heart rate, average speed, power, and performance improvement over time. This data is stored directly in your user account online, and can be easily accessed with detailed graphs that are automatically created, and sent to you after each class. How does this work? Each bike is equipped with a power meter, a cadence sensor, and a speed sensor. Additionally, each participant is given the option of a heart rate monitor to wear during the class. All of the data from these devices is sent wirelessly to a computer using algorithms to determine performance. During the sign up process for a class at Buka you can select the bike you would like to ride. Some high tech stuff goes on behind the scenes, attaching your user profile statistics to the particular bike you have selected, during your chosen class time. Since the system knows which bike you are riding, it gathers the data associated with that bike, and now you really know how you did. Cool, huh?“Traverse City has always been quick to embrace what is new and revolutionary in exercise, and I’m thrilled to introduce this studio to a city that loves fitness,” said Tony Mastromonaco, founder and visionary behind the Buka concept. “This bike is designed to appeal both to the cycling enthusiast, as well as amateurs of all ages. I encourage people to ride for health, weight loss, fun, or all three.” Have you always wanted to teach a cycling class? Here is your chance. Buka is actively seeking instructors and encouraging those with fitness backgrounds to apply. The studio is looking for local instructors with experience teaching indoor cycling classes, or any type of group fitness. Buka will be holding instructor training courses starting March 29th. For consideration, please email tony@bukabike.com or call (231) 714-4514.“We share a space with Om Café, and we are excited to promote a multitude of healthy choices under one roof. The cycling studio will also offer specialized monthly recharge sessions of yoga paired with unique food offerings to recharge your mind and your body,” says Mastromonaco. “Our studio plans on offering healthy grab-and-go food options for guests on the run, and evening sessions that I call Bike n’ Beer.” Buka riders can continue to feel good knowing that each time you take a class, you’re riding for change. For every mile completed, Buka will donate a portion of the profits to one of our local Traverse City charity partners. Giving back never felt so good. If you are interested in having your organization involved in our miles program, please contact us via our web page. Buka Bike will hold an open house for you to come see the new studio on Friday, April 5th from 5:30pm – 7:00pm. The studio will be opening the doors on April 6th, 2013 at 10:00am for their inaugural class. To celebrate their grand opening, Buka Bike will offer free classes all day on April 6th to interested riders. The ongoing class schedule comprises several time slots on both weekdays and weekends. The facility is also available for private instruction or group parties. More information can be found at the company’s website at www.bukabike.com.Buka Bike is located at 205 Lake Avenue, Traverse City, MI (in the former Loading Dock Bar, and sharing the same building as Om Café). Official business hours will be announced closer to opening, but the facility will be open 3-4 days per week. Class times will likely begin around 6:00am and evening sessions will begin at 5:30pm.
