Les Mills RPM vs. Cycle: Key Differences, Similarities, and How to Choose

What is the difference between Les Mills RPM and cycle?

While both Les Mills RPM and generic indoor cycling ("cycle") utilize stationary bikes for cardiovascular fitness, the core difference lies in RPM's highly standardized, pre-choreographed, music-driven program designed for global consistency, versus the broader, often more varied, and instructor-dependent nature of a typical cycle class.

Introduction to Indoor Cycling ("Cycle")

Indoor cycling, often simply referred to as "cycle," "spin," or "spinning" (though "Spinning" is a trademarked brand), encompasses a broad category of group fitness classes performed on stationary exercise bikes. These classes are a popular form of cardiovascular exercise, offering a low-impact, high-intensity workout suitable for a wide range of fitness levels.

Key Characteristics of Generic Cycle Classes:

• Instructor-Dependent: The structure, music, intensity, and style of a generic cycle class are largely determined by the individual instructor's preferences, training, and creativity.
• Variable Structure: Classes can range from endurance rides to high-intensity interval training (HIIT), rhythm-based workouts, or performance-focused sessions.
• Music Integration: While music is almost always used, its role can vary from background tempo setting to being integral to the class flow, but it's not typically pre-choreographed to specific movements across different instructors or locations.
• Focus on Fundamentals: Emphasis is typically placed on core cycling principles like cadence, resistance, and perceived exertion to achieve fitness goals.

Delving into Les Mills RPM

Les Mills RPM is a specific, pre-choreographed indoor cycling program developed by Les Mills International, a global leader in group fitness. RPM stands for "Revolutions Per Minute" and is designed to simulate a journey through various terrains and speeds, set to carefully selected music.

Key Characteristics of Les Mills RPM:

• Standardized Choreography: Every RPM class, regardless of where it's taught in the world, follows a specific, pre-designed track list and choreography. This ensures a consistent experience for participants.
• Music as the Driver: Music is central to RPM. Each track has a specific purpose (e.g., warm-up, climb, sprint, cool-down) and dictates the pace, intensity, and movements. The choreography is meticulously timed to the music.
• Structured Format: An RPM class typically follows a nine-track format, each with a distinct focus, building progressively in intensity and then cooling down. This structure is consistent globally.
• Certified Instructors: To teach RPM, instructors must undergo rigorous training and certification through Les Mills. This ensures they understand the program's philosophy, choreography, and safety protocols.
• Regular Releases: Les Mills releases new RPM programs (new music and choreography) every three months, keeping the classes fresh and engaging.

Key Differentiating Factors

While both provide excellent cardiovascular workouts, several key elements distinguish Les Mills RPM from generic cycle classes:

• Standardization vs. Variation:

  • Les Mills RPM: Offers a highly standardized experience. The choreography, music, and structure are consistent globally, ensuring that a participant attending an RPM class in New York will have a very similar experience to one in London. This predictability can be reassuring for some.
  • Generic Cycle: Highly variable. The quality, style, and content of the class depend entirely on the individual instructor. This allows for great diversity and creativity but means the experience can differ significantly from class to class or gym to gym.

• Music and Choreography Integration:

  • Les Mills RPM: Music is integral and dictates the choreography. Every movement, sprint, and climb is precisely timed and matched to the beat and feel of the music. This creates an immersive, almost cinematic experience.
  • Generic Cycle: Music is used, but its integration varies. It might be background motivation, or the instructor might choreograph to it, but it's rarely as meticulously integrated as in RPM, nor is it standardized.

• Instructor Training and Certification:

  • Les Mills RPM: Instructors undergo specific, rigorous Les Mills training and certification, ensuring adherence to the program's safety and effectiveness guidelines.
  • Generic Cycle: Instructor qualifications can vary widely. While many are highly skilled and certified through various organizations, there isn't a single, universal standard governing all "cycle" instructors.

• Program Progression and Freshness:

  • Les Mills RPM: New music and choreography are released quarterly, providing a structured progression and keeping the program fresh for regular participants.
  • Generic Cycle: Freshness depends on the instructor's initiative to create new routines and playlists. There's no mandated schedule for new content.

• Atmosphere and Experience:

  • Les Mills RPM: Often delivers a highly energetic, motivating, and almost performance-like atmosphere due to the synchronized movements and music.
  • Generic Cycle: Can range from high-energy and immersive to more technically focused or even meditative, depending on the instructor's style.

• Accessibility and Availability:

  • Les Mills RPM: Available only in gyms licensed to offer Les Mills programs, and only by certified instructors.
  • Generic Cycle: Widely available in almost any gym with stationary bikes and a group fitness studio, making it generally more accessible.

Similarities

Despite their differences, Les Mills RPM and generic cycle classes share fundamental similarities:

• Core Mechanics: Both utilize stationary indoor cycling bikes, focusing on pedaling, adjusting resistance, and varying cadence to create intensity.
• Fitness Benefits: Both provide excellent cardiovascular workouts, improve muscular endurance in the legs and glutes, are low-impact on joints, and are effective for calorie expenditure.
• Equipment: Both require the same basic equipment – a stationary indoor cycling bike, appropriate athletic wear, and often cycling shoes (though not always mandatory for generic classes).
• Adaptability: Both types of classes can be adapted to various fitness levels by adjusting resistance and speed.

Which One is Right for You?

Choosing between Les Mills RPM and a generic cycle class largely depends on your personal preferences and fitness goals:

• Choose Les Mills RPM if:

  • You prefer a highly structured, consistent, and predictable workout experience.
  • You are motivated by music and enjoy having your movements precisely choreographed to the beat.
  • You appreciate a globally recognized brand with standardized instructor training.
  • You enjoy the feeling of being part of a larger, global fitness community.
  • You like the idea of new routines and music being introduced regularly.

• Choose Generic Cycle if:

  • You enjoy variety and prefer classes where the instructor's individual style and creativity shine through.
  • You like the flexibility of different class formats (e.g., performance-focused, rhythm-based, endurance rides).
  • You are comfortable with less structure and more spontaneity in your workouts.
  • You prioritize convenience and want a class that is widely available at most gyms.
  • You have a preferred instructor whose teaching style you particularly enjoy.

Conclusion

Ultimately, both Les Mills RPM and generic indoor cycling offer effective and engaging ways to improve cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance. Les Mills RPM provides a highly curated, globally consistent experience driven by specific choreography and music, while generic cycle classes offer greater variety and instructor-led flexibility. Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the indoor cycling experience that best aligns with your workout preferences and fitness journey.