Fitnesspoint has unveiled Ride the Beat by Fitnesspoint 2025 Edition 1, a spinning class open to everyone. The first session took place at Fitnesspoint’s Remera branch on Saturday, November 22. Spinning, an indoor cycling workout practiced on stationary bikes and guided by instructors to upbeat music, comes as a solution for anyone struggling to stay motivated in sports. With just 30 to 45 minutes of riding, one can burn up to 400 calories. ALSO READ: How to set realistic fitness goals and achieve them The session kicked off with beginners, guided by certified spinning instructors Michelle Nkurunziza and Hardi Sebanani. The instructions varied from keeping one’s back straight and riding the bike to enjoying the music while following each step. Former Burundian basketball player Alan Clovis was among those who attended the first spinning session for beginners. He told The New Times that he found the class a safer practice that prevents road accidents while still burning fat through cycling. “I retired from basketball, which I played professionally at a young age, due to a knee injury. It took me many years to recover, and over time, I lost the spirit to practice sports regularly. As anyone who has been there knows, you always want to come back. Spinning made this journey easier,” he recalled. Clovis started spinning in 2023. However, tight work schedules affected his consistency. “There was a time I looked at myself and wasn’t happy with my fitness. When I heard about this programme again, it gave me the idea of trying once more,” he said. ALSO READ: Fitnesspoint Kimihurura expands, offering more space for functional training, martial arts For Nduta Mwangi, a Kenyan who has lived in Kigali for the past two years, the music and the vibe were the highlights of the session. She currently weighs more than 110 kg and is at an intermediate level in spinning. Gym workouts had always been hard for her to maintain, but this changed in the last eight months after joining weekly classes. “As you can see, I’m trying to lower my weight. But because spinning targets every part of the body, the process is good. At first, I struggled with knee pain, but under the guidance of our instructor, things became more enjoyable than challenging,” she said. According to instructor Nkurunziza, the spinning class has a flexible 45-minute schedule that fits all days of the week. Every Monday and Wednesday, there are two sessions–one at 6 pm and another at 7 pm. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, the session starts at 6 pm, while Saturday’s session begins at 3 pm. “Today marks the beginning of helping Rwandans and others to get fit. That’s why we encourage beginners to join and enjoy challenges mixed with the joy of music,” said Nkurunziza. ALSO READ: Self-defence skill, Krav Maga, debuts at Fitnesspoint After the session, two participants were awarded six-month gym membership, while the top winner took home a bike. All other participants received a water bottle to help them stay hydrated, something highly recommended during sports. “As I’m hitting my 40s, gym sessions are important. I used to attend before, but I’ll use this membership to even encourage my wife to join,” said Gamariel Karangwa, one of the gym membership winners. Most spinning sessions are largely attended by women, but Karangwa believes this mindset needs to change. In his view, men often prefer weightlifting, yet to reach maximum fitness, spinning can bring noticeable results in less than a month.
