Fitness Equipment Tablet: Flywheel Sports

Operator of a boutique bicycle fitness brand. The company's studio delivers a differentiated, data-driven and high-intensity cardio workout, through an indoor cycling concept, that emphasizes physical intensity and performance measurement, enabling riders to get the most out of their workouts by gauging their output, helping them to set personal goals and tracking progress over time.


The Problem

The biking company had to cater to a new target group of customers which are people motivated by group workouts but wished they didn't have to leave their house to do them.

How can they bring their studio group bike experience ANYWHERE?

How can we integrate a touch tablet to the bike surely and safely that could stream live classes and collect data through Bluetooth connectivity to the tablet to display rider's performance and create an out of the box motivating "group workout anytime" experience.


The Solution

Nebula 15.6" and Nebula 21.5" is the best fit for integration to indoor bikes, treadmills or water rowers to create this immerse experience of connected fitness.

Technological challenges solved:

1. Optimization of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, speakers and system rearranged to create a stable streaming of live classes, an accurate collection of rider's data.

2. To allow Over the Air Updates of Custom ROM, apps so that there are continuous improvements on systems and app without be physical on the location.

3. Ensure recovery from failed updates and other unexpected events.

4. Optimization in OS to boost in GPU acceleration.

5. Conducted vibration tests to ensure tablet performance on fitness equipment.

6. Sleep/Wake on Tap/Pedal


End user challenges solved:

1. No travel time to get to your workout.

2. Can workout anytime you want.

3. Motivating, energizing instructors for classes.

4. Riders can see their power output, calories burned, heart rate (heart rate monitor needed), and how they compare with other riders.

5. Can challenge other people you know who have the same fitness equipment.

6. The wide array of energetic live and prerecorded workouts available whenever you’re ready.


Flywheel Sports Customer Testimonial:

Happy Friday friends! If you’ve been following me for a while, you know what a diehard Flywheel junky I am. I first tried a Flywheel Sports class when we were still living in Dallas, in August(ish) of 2014, and instantly fell in love. TBH I’ve never been one to really love workout classes or fitness studios. I like to be outside, I like to work out alone haha. But Flywheel Totally changed that for me. I loved the energy in the classroom, what an amazing sweat you work up in this class, and the fact that it’s a whole body workout. I also loved that it was something Michael and I could go to together – and he loved it as much as I did!

So, whenever we decided we were moving to Boulder…one of the first thing’s I googled was “Flywheel Sports Boulder”…and was so sad to find out that Flywheel doesn’t exist in Boulder! I thought after we lived here for a while I would get over it. We could just join a gym, I could run / bike outside, etc. But even after months of being here, I still missed Flywheel so much! It’s such an amazing workout and I love that you can get that in in just 45 minutes. SO, when I heard that Flywheel was launching FLY Anywhere, I told Michael right away “WE HAVE TO GET IT”.

So, for anyone who isn’t familiar with Flywheel or FLY anywhere, I’ll explain what it is, before giving you my full FLY anywhere review! FLY anywhere is the Flywheel stationary bike that allows you to do Flywheel classes from the comfort of your own home. Here are details about the bike itself: It has a flexible frame which is easier on your body, so your joints will thank you. The bike has two bottle holders help keep you hydrated and ergonomically designed handlebars that provide a comfortable grip. The bike also has a Torq (resistance) knob front and center which helps you change resistance, fast. The bike is also fully customizable, so you can adjust the seat height, handlebars, how far you are from the handlebars, etc.

You can get the bike with or without the built in tablet. (I have the built in tablet and that’s how I watch the classes). But if you don’t have the built in tablet, you can just stream the classes either on your iPad or on a smart TV!

Next, let’s talk about the classes. To be honest, I’ve never been one of those people who enjoys working out at home. I never liked doing workout DVD’s because I just lack the motivation to actually do that in my own home, and much less, to push myself. But FLY Anywhere is totally different, because it feels like you’re in the stadium, with the instructor right in front of you and other people doing the class right next to you.

There are a few different types of classes you can choose from – ranging from 20 minutes to one hour. There’s also several different instructors you can choose from and they are constantly recording / adding new classes, so you never get bored! My two favorite instructors right now are Aleah (did her classes in Dallas and she is seriously #goals), and I also love Victor’s classes. I typically do the ‘method 45’ class which is their standard 45 minute ride of interval training, with an arm workout about 3/4 of the way through the class! They also live LIVE classes you can stream if the time works well for you!

A few things I love about Flywheel classes in general, which also applies to FLY Anywhere. Yes, it is a total kick butt workout, but you can also moderate things and go at your own pace. If the instructor says to put your resistance on 28 but that feels way too high for you, bring it down a few notches. The important thing is that you are pushing yourself, and getting your heart rate up. I also love that Flywheel has a tech pad so you can actually see your numbers. Some spin classes will just say “turn your resistance up” or “speed up”…but with flywheel, the instructors can tell you exactly what your resistance needs to be on, and where your RPM’s need to be. The tech pad also tracks your ‘total power’, which is great because it makes you push yourself to try and beat your last score! I love that the class is just 45mins long but in that 45 minutes, you get an amazing workout in. I love the music and the energy and the positivity. I love that there’s a full song just for an arm / upper body workout!

I love being about to do FLY Anywhere in my own house, especially on days if its snowing or raining outside. Or if I have a really busy day and just want to be able to hop on the bike for 45mins to get a workout in. It is SO convenient, and I’ve been doing a class at least 3 days a week!

So how does it work? Go online and build your bike, and then you pay $39/month for unlimited classes. When you order your bike, you’ll also want to order the gear to go with it – the mat and clip in shoes are a must (unless you already have a pair)! FLY Anywhere also offers full service delivery: from unpacking to unloading, and setting up to cleaning up, their team handles it all. All you have to do is FLY! Our bike is currently in an upstairs loft area, but we are wanting to design / build a home gym in our new house. So eventually it will go down there!

Source: https://laurenkaysims.com/2018/04/fly-anywhere-review-flywheel-at-home/