New bikes increase workout possibilities

      The Rumpel Fitness Center now offers seven specially designed exercise bicycles to meet most anyone's fitness needs.

      Bob Baldwin, Fort McCoy Sports and Physical Activities program manager, said the equipment also adds to the wide variety of indoor exercise opportunities at the Fitness Center, building 1121, to help patrons keep in shape during the winter months.

Rumpel Fitness Center patrons get a workout on the new LeMond RevMaster exercise bikes. (Photo by Rob Schuette)

      LeMond RevMaster bikes are named after Greg LeMond, the American who was a three-time winner of the prestigious Tour de France bicycle race, and who helped design the bike.

      "It (RevMaster bikes) seems to be a popular fitness trend across the country," Baldwin said. "We wanted to jump on line and give it a whirl for our patrons."

      The bikes will be used for spinning classes or group exercise.  Julie Pressler, an aerobics instructor at the Fitness Center, is incorporating use of the equipment into her aerobics classes.  Formal RevMaster classes will be given after an instructor receives specialized training, Baldwin added.

      In the meantime, the Fitness Center has 11 videotapes associated with RevMaster bike riding that can be checked out and used with a 36" television and VCR at the Fitness Center, Pressler said. Even after an instructor is certified, these tapes will continue to be available to patrons so they have access to instruction about how to use the bikes anytime the Fitness Center is open.

      "The good thing about the RevMaster compared to other exercise bicycles is that this bike is very similar to regular bikes, but it doesn't have gears," Pressler said. "It's also a great workout for people who don't like to run or find it difficult to run because it doesn't have the negative impact on knees that running can."

      Riders can get a multi-variety workout in sitting, standing or jumping positions, Pressler said. The sitting position allows patrons to do regular over-the-road bike riding or climbing.

      The standing position allows exercisers to do climbing. Patrons can "jump" between the standing and sitting climb positions to add an extra ingredient to their workout. A resistance knob also allows individuals to set an easy to difficult ride, according to their capabilities.

      "The bike would be good for people who are thinking of participating in triathlons," Pressler said. "It's a good exercise for someone who is fit and wants to improve their fitness level."

      Authorized patrons can use the LeMond RevMasters or a variety of other exercise equipment to help keep fit this winter, Baldwin said. Other equipment available to authorized patrons is located in the Cardiovascular Theater, which includes treadmills, step climbers, exercise/Life Fitness bicycles, cross trainers, etc. The Fitness Center also includes a gymnasium with basketball/volleyball courts and an indoor swimming pool, with sauna rooms and a whirlpool.

      Military personnel can use the facility free by showing their ID cards.  Authorized civilian patrons can pay for individual sessions or for a yearly pass.

      For more information about indoor exercise opportunities, call the Fitness Center at (608) 388-2290.