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First Posted: 2/21/2014 SHAVERTOWN - Linking their love of cycling and entrepreneurship Jada and Kevin Swinski of Shavertown, showed off their new business, Back Mountain Revolution. During a recent open house, the pair gave the public an introduction to an innovative indoor suspended exercise bicycle.
Back Mountain Revolution occupies 1,500 square feet in the in the former Westmoreland Elementary School, which had also housed Solid Cactus Inc. before that e-commerce company moved to Drums.
The suspended bicycles are called RealRyders. The black and silver exercise bikes simulate the natural sway and turning capabilities of a real bicycle creating a full body workout as core muscle groups are used to control the bike and make turns. The sway of the bike is less harsh on the body and knee joints than a stationary bike, Jada said.
&#8220;You can burn 20 to 30 percent more calories,&#8221; she said.
Kevin said in one work out he can burn between 600 to 700 calories.
While perusing the Internet, Jada and Kevin stumbled upon RealRyders. After reading product reviews and the health benefits they wanted to see the product. Kevin said the found the closest gym 60 miles away in Delaware Water Gap. They drove out for some hands on experience.
Standing in their own gym, they currently offer 15 bikes and offer three classes a day as well as yoga classes.
RealRyder classes are 45 minutes long. A link on the company&#8217;s website allows clients to reserve a bike for a designated class time.
Membership costs for one month are $59 per person, a six month membership is $55 per month per person and a year membership is $49 per month per person. Jada said because the bike are so different from the stationary bikes, they are giving a one-week free trail period so the curious can determine if the pedals are for them.
Kevin said as interest grows, the facility offers them room to expand to offer future classes and add more RealRyders.
Jada said they may offer Piloxing classes in the future. Piloxing is an exercise routine combining Pilates, boxing and dance.
Only advertising on Facebook and by word-of-mouth, people throughout the region have come to try the new bikes in town. Kevin said one man traveled down from Moscow. Jada said one client travels in from Duryea to exercise.
With interest peaked, many came to the open house held last Sunday to try the bikes and talk with instructors and current clients.
Christa Coolbaugh, of Wyoming, has already taken four classes. She recommends allowing two to three classes to get use to the bikes.
&#8220;You have to give yourself time to get use to the bike,&#8221; Coolbaugh said. &#8220;Once you do, you will love it. It is a much harder workout than spinning class.&#8221;
Instructor Diane Butwin has previously taught spinning classes on stationary bikes. She said following a Real Ryder class she found a need to give a cool down stretch for the arms and upper body as well as the lower body.
&#8220;Following a regular spinning class on a stationary bike, I would only stretch out the legs,&#8221; Butwin said.
Comparing the bikes, Butwin noted the RealRyder bikes have a 60 pound back wheel and a traditional stationary bike has a 40 pound back wheel. The increased weight in the back of the RealRyder bike offers a smoother ride. With the weight situated in the back, combined with the width of the base makes it impossible to make the bike fall over.
She advised new-bees to dress in shorts, yoga capris and wear sneakers or spinning shoes. The bikes do have a cup holder for water bottles, but she said not all size water bottles will fit. Arrive early enough to allow time to properly adjust the seat and handlebars, Butwin said.
&#8220;This is the closest experience to riding an outside bicycle inside,&#8221; Kevin said.

New way to bike in the Back Mountain