How Indoor Cycling Can Empower Communities and Help Combat Mental Health Issues

Redefining Fitness: From personal to communal

Motosumo has redefined how we engage with indoor cycling with a move towards making fitness not just a personal goal but also a communal achievement and experience. Indoor cycling, an often solitary activity, is made a powerful tool for community-building and social empowerment, now serving as a means to address the rising mental health challenges many face today.

Positioned at the intersection of technology and wellness, Motosumo offers a unique interactive platform providing free, live, and on-demand cycling classes accessible from any stationary bike. Motosumo ensures that high-quality fitness experiences are available to everyone with access to a stationary bike, breaking down the barriers of location and cost.

The science behind the spin

“Our mission at Motosumo is to democratize fitness and make it accessible and enjoyable for all,” says Mahmood Ul-Hassan, CMO at Denmark-based Motosumo. “Our technology not only connects users to classes but also to each other, fostering a sense of community that transcends physical spaces. A sense of community is vital for improving mental health, especially when combating broader social issues like isolation and inactivity.”

Jennifer Sage of the Indoor Cycling Association recently discussed the known mental and emotional benefits of indoor cycling, backed by scientific research. Her article illuminates how indoor cycling improves mood and reduces stress, which are both essential for maintaining mental wellness. Read the full article here for a deeper understanding of these benefits.

Enhancing experiences and building community

The Motosumo platform enhances gym workouts by empowering instructors with tools to deliver motivating and effective classes. For home users, Motosumo offers a variety of classes that prevent monotony and keep users engaged, encouraging frequent participation. Many Motosumo users train several times a week, some training daily, as the app also allows people to set personal training goals. Motosumo’s community-driven approach promotes a sense of belonging and collective achievement, significantly impacting physical and mental health and well-being. Whether you pick 15, 30, or 60-minute classes, indoor cycling is a great way to build strength, increase stamina, burn calories, and release your feel-good endorphins.

Jaimie from California, a long-term Motosumo user, highlighted the positive mental health impact of attending Motosumo's classes in an earlier member portrait. “Motosumo has made me feel physically, mentally, and emotionally stronger. I tend to push myself too hard and never take a break, but thanks to the inspiration of the instructors, I have come to understand that it is okay to take a day off and assess how I am feeling. This realization has been difficult to come by. While I continue to struggle with it, Motosumo has been an invaluable tool to help me in my fitness journey and to focus on improving myself,” Jaimie shared.

Driving change through #TrainForBrains

In the last week of April this year, Motosumo just ran its second Cycle For Change campaign, this time called #TrainForBrains, which focussed on mental health research and awareness. This initiative underscores Motosumo's commitment to its core values of inclusivity, community, and quality, ensuring that every pedal on a stationary bike contributes to individual health and communities worldwide.