InSync Cycle Opens in Hunt Valley

Despite the rising temperatures, many sidewalks and streets still remain ice covered and impassable.  For avid bikers and fitness enthusiasts, this poses a challenge to outdoor workouts.

This Saturday, InSync Cycle, the area’s only dedicated indoor cycling studio, promises to help beat the winter freeze with its grand opening celebration. Located in the former Casey’s Coffee shop in Hunt Valley, next to Valley View Farms and the Dutch Market, InSync Cycle is a studio that offers high energy, low impact daily spinning classes set to music and led by skilled instructors.

Modeled after similar studios like Soul Cycle in New York, Body Cycle in Philadelphia and Velovoom in Bethesa, InSync is the only indoor cycling studio in the Baltimore metropolitan area.  Owner and master instructor, Charles “Spook” Hilgartner, says InSync captures three important benefits: “a ‘pay as you go’ program, guaranteed online reservations up to a week in advance and seven days of free workouts starting this weekend.

Hilgartner encourages people to visit the website, to learn about special opening weekend offers.  From 9-12:30 p.m. on Saturday, InSync will offer one long session in half hour intervals with a variety of instructors to allow guests an opportunity to sample classes and see the new space.  For the following seven days, classes will be free in an effort to garner interest.

An indoor cycling enthusiast for six years and a trained spinning instructor, Hilgartner is optimistic about his new business. 

About a year ago, under the guidance of mentors in the national group, Indoor Cycle Instructors, Hilgarner began plans for achieving his longtime goal of owning his own business. InSync Cycle marries his love of biking, atheletics and coaching.  He turned to biking many years ago as a low impact, high cardio alternative to exercise that would protect his knees and allow him to continue coaching recreational and club lacrosse and run around after his seven grandchildren.

While Hilgartner is the master instructor, he is excited about the high caliber and diversity of the instructors with whom he is working.  Each brings varied experience and a great reputation.  Hilgartner, reputed for his unique music selection, says his classes are meant to be “less hardcore” but “fun and a great workout.” 

When discussing his new venture, Hilgartner stresses two “really neat” aspects of the business. 

First, unlike traditional gyms, InSyn Cycle allows you to pay as you go.  Without an annual membership fee, people have the flexibility to work out when the weather interferes with outdoor training.  As a result, he anticipates a boost during the winter months and hopes next week’s promotion will encourage interested cyclists inside the studio.

 Secondly, thanks to online reservations, patrons can reserve a spot in a class up to a week in advance.  With an online reservation, they are guaranteed a bike up to one minute before class and will never have to wait in line.  The online feature also allows people to choose classes based on day, time and instructor, providing a varied and more interesting workout schedule.

Understandably, Hilgartner is “excited and nervous” about his new business.  He has hoped, for some time, to launch a business on his own but waited until the time was right.  Now, his love of riding, passion for fitness and genuine engagement with people will be highlighted at InSync Cycle’s grand opening weekend.