As indoor group cycling classes become the newest fitness rage, students in Exercise and Sport Science 259 headed to Ames Racquet & Fitness Center to experience it firsthand.

With the lights dimmed and candles lit, Deb Atkinson, professor of exercise and sport science, took students on a journey with imaginary wind and hills.

Atkinson said she was very interested in learning the students’ perspective about the appearance of cycling as a group fitness class.

“These students are representing Iowa State at commercial sites, and this experience will prepare them for an internship or practicum that will require teaching group fitness, including state-of-the-art programming,” she said.

Students majoring in exercise and sport science must complete two exercise leadership courses to fulfill their curriculum requirements.

Atkinson, a recent addition to ISU’s exercise and sport science teaching faculty, said she wants to expose her students to a variety of group exercise formats.

She said she hopes the formats will prepare them for leading a group fitness class.

Atkinson said the purpose of the experience was to demonstrate the leadership skills needed for a real-life group cycling class, so students could compare and contrast the leadership techniques with those of other fitness classes, such as aerobic, dance or step.

“There is so much more out there in terms of leadership options,” Atkinson said.

Cycling differs from traditional group fitness classes because of its atmosphere, instructional techniques and actual activity, which is basically like riding a bike but with greater intensity.

“This type of leadership requires different skills, and I would like to find out what the group feels like in this much different setting,” she said.

Brian Maschka, senior in exercise sport and science, participated in the cycling class.

Before class, Maschka said indoor cycling “seems like it will be harder than riding, say, a recumbent bike, because there you just sit, going through the motions.”

He said with cycling the body seems to be more involved in the movement.

But after the class, Maschka said his experience assisted him in having more creative leadership skills. To keep the group motivated through the use of voice, he said imagery must be used.

“I don’t think people realize how hard cycling is,” he said. “It is just not as easy to slack off when someone is watching you.”

Cycling classes are offered each day at Ames Racquet & Fitness Center, 320 S. 17th St., for students, faculty and staff and the Ames community.