A whole new cycling experience at Rhondda Cynon Taf Council leisure centres

Sports clubs and cyclists across Rhondda Cynon Taf are being invited in out of the cold to train at a leisure centre near to them!

The light nights may be fast approaching, but cyclists are still battling with the bitterly cold weather conditions, as well as the heavy traffic, on the roads.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is unveiling its Winter Training Package, which is being piloted at Rhondda Sports Centre.

It is designed to give cycling clubs and sports and leisure enthusiasts the chance to take part in fitness classes in the saddle - without leaving the cosy, warm and bright environment of a health suite.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, and its Sport RCT team, is urging participants to go along and try out the fantastic and new state-of-the-art X-Biking and Trixter facilities at its leisure centres.

Cyclists will be able to have all the fun of mountain biking and road cycling in the comfort of a leisure centre - cycling has never been so much fun!

No more cycling in the rain. No more facing the heavy traffic on the roads. X-Biking and Trixter is the ‘new’ way to get on your bike.

This total body workout combines outdoor and indoor cycling in a safe, controlled environment accompanied by motivational music led by trained instructors.

Cllr Robert Bevan, Cabinet member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, said: “Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is here to help you shed those pounds as well as boost your fitness levels and our fantastic X-Bike and Trixter equipment is ideal to do just that, within a safe environment.

“Trixter and X-Bike is a fantastic exercise experience for novices to advanced riders. You do not even have to be a cyclist to take advantage of the benefits on offer at our leisure centres.

“A whole new world awaits you at all of our 11 Council-run leisure centres. Whether you would like to experience one of our fabulous eight swimming pools, nine well-equipped fitness suites, sample our wide and varied range of fitness classes or just book a court for squash or badminton, there really is something for everyone.”

By making X-Biking and Trixter part of your workout you will see increased fat loss, stamina and all over strength.

X-Biking has been proven to burn more calories in less time than any other indoor cycling, due to controlled resistance and natural movement in the innovative X-bars.

The patented X-Bars are designed to move from side to side, mimicking the real motion created when riding a real mountain or a road bike out of the saddle while climbing or sprinting.

The X-Bars also incorporate a resistance mechanism to provide an upper body and core workout not possible with traditional indoor cycling.

The X-Bike also features an ‘on-the-fly’ shifting mechanism that permits the rider to control the resistance at the pedals without moving their hand from the handlebars and with a very high degree of accuracy.

Trixter bikes use a standard ‘freewheel’ gear mechanism unlike the ‘fixed gear’ mechanism found on the traditional bike. The X-Bike’s freewheel gear makes it the safest indoor bike to ride and further enhances X-Biking workouts because the rider is forced to maintain correct form and utilise their entire pedal stroke, thereby increasing the overall metabolic cost of the effort.

Check out the Council’s X-Biking and Trixter training videos and get along to a leisure centre near you to try it out for yourself.

http://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/en/leisurelibrariesculture/leisurecentresandswi...

The Council’s dedicated Sport RCT team is there help individuals get involved. Regardless of age, interest or ability, the team can help you find a sport or activity that is perfect for you.

Simply make contact and tell them where you live and what you are interested in - and they can do the rest by making recommendations for clubs and classes, finding your nearest team and supporting you to get involved. Contact them via www.rctcbc.gov.uk/leisure

Leisure for Life is a successful Rhondda Cynon Taf Council campaign that aims to get people of all ages active and undertaking exercise in a bid to improve their health and well-being.

It is all about talking simple steps to make exercise part of your daily routine and reaping the benefits alongside potential weight loss, enhanced fitness, muscle gain or even improved socialisation.

Trixter and X-Biking is available to people of all ages and abilities. So fill up your water bottles and enjoy the new experience. For further details contact your nearest leisure centre or visit www.rctcbc.gov.uk./leisure