The Instructors
Mike
Mike has a background as a fitness and Spinning® instructor and personal trainer and as a sportsman. He has a great knowledge of the body and how to get the most efficient use out of it in sports and in rehab. Mike is comprehensively trained through BASI Pilates. He has also completed the BASI Injuries and Pathologies course. Mike has great compassion as a teacher, and knows how to challenge, respect and enlighten whoever he is teaching.
Mike grew up in Tanzania and was educated in the UK, subsequently studying international development and child welfare to Master’s level and working with international children’s charities and the UK government on a range of issues affecting vulnerable children.
Whilst studying at Warwick University and the School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS), he played international rugby league and represented London Skolars in the National Conference League. A disc injury eventually took Mike away from rugby and into marathon running, cycling, triathlon, fitness and sports coaching and Spinning instructing. Through his love of sports and movement, Mike became increasingly interested in injury rehabilitation and the importance of a strong core and flexible body in achieving holistic strength and fitness.
Jacqui
Jacqui has been an avid sports and exercise fan for over 30 years and in recent years has turned her hand to it professionally. A desire to work in her passion drove her away from accountancy and into health and fitness. Jacqui believes that the importance of physical fitness is not an issue of vanity, but rather one of longevity. It's about finding out what works best for each one of us as unique individuals, finding a form of exercise that you love and enjoy and sticking to a personal plan. Jacqui is a qualified Level 3 personal trainer and Spinning instructor.
Claire
Claire qualified as a spin instructor last year and has not stopped cycling since. She loves challenging herself and cycling long distances and is on a mission to make everyone else enjoy spinning as much as she does. She also enjoys participating in duathlons and playing for the London Academicals Hockey Club every week. She is currently training to be a lawyer alongside spin instructing. Claire wants to make spinning accessible to and enjoyable for everyone using a mixture of good music and bad jokes!
Louise
Born in South Africa, Louise moved over to London in ’98 and has been a cycle instructor since it first hit the scene in the 90’s!
Her qualifications include a degree in Sports Science, a Higher Diploma in sports Therapy (which consists of Sports Massage, Sports Injuries, Rehabilitation of sports injuries and sports nutrition), adapting exercise for pre- and post-natal ladies, various group exercise classes, but her favourite remains Spinning ®.
At university Louise started taking part in triathlons, road cycling, mountain biking and running. Over the years her endurance improved and she's taken part in many more events – adventure racing, duathlons, half marathons and 4 London marathons.
Outside the spinning class you might see her on the tennis court or walking/running her dog on the local Commons.
Louise believes the fitness from spinning is a brilliant foundation to have for many sports and it will improve your game and give you the fitness edge on your opponent!
Join us, no matter your fitness level. We work hard but have fun too!
Charlotte
Charlotte is a qualified spinning® instructor and Personal trainer and has always been involved in sport. She rowed at university where she represented Oxford against Cambridge in the women's reserves race. After many years in the city and 3 children she took up running, and completed numerous half and full marathons, then turned to Triathlon having discovered her true passion in cycling. She represented Great Britain and competed as an age grouper in the European and World Duathlon championships in 2009/10, and the European Triathlon Championships in Eilat in 2012 winning a silver medal in her age group.
She retired from serious triathlon in 2013 but she is still a keen road cyclist, taking part in numerous sportive races (Argus, Ride 100, Maratona, London Revolution), various tours (Cape Rouleur, Alpine challenge, SE England), training camps (La Santa, Majorca), and numerous leisure trips (France, Italy, California).
Her classes are high energy with varying intensity and geared towards effective training for the outdoor cyclist but just as effective for people wanting to stay fit and have fun.
Mike Cownley
Born and bred in London, Mike has been involved and competed in a variety of sports including triathlon and boxing. Over the years, and mix of competitions, road racing has always endured. It is this passion for the sport that Mike brings to his classes.
With 25 years of experience working within the Health and Fitness Industry Mike brings experience and results. Working across amateur and elite level training Mike is able to engage and push members at every level. His highly personable training philosophy builds relationships and creates an environment where members are motivated to achieve their own milestones.
Since graduating from the University of Surrey in 2004 Mike has grown his training business, running master classes in three continents and gaining professional qualifications in Group Fitness Management, Advanced Instructor training and British Amateur Weightlifting. These coupled with his experience within his practical experience and his genuine passion for riding have proven a winning formula for Mike!
Nial
Nial is a 3 Star certified Spinning® Instructor and a Category 3 competitive cyclist having competed in the United States, winning age group honours at State level and also in France. He has been seriously involved in sport all his life having been a junior national level tennis player. He then turned to athletics and completed the first London marathon. It was only in later life when running began to take its toll on his body that Nial turned to cycling - however it was only at the instigation of his wife that he reluctantly took part in a Spinning ® class!
The benefits of Spinning® soon became clear. Firstly, it was something that he could do together with his wife and it didn't matter how seriously one took it. Secondly, interval classes were very much like track sessions where he could work anaerobically (i.e. without oxygen) to improve performance. It was also far more efficient from a time perspective because working with resistance in a 45 minute session is equivalent of double that outside. Lastly and by no means least, he got to train to some really inspirational music.
Nial's classes are aimed at all; the rider who just comes along to enjoy the class whilst getting fitter, to the more serious cyclist with the emphasis placed on safety, fun and then improvement - in that order! He plays a wide range of music which is mixed to the profile of the class.
Ian
Ian has been associated with a wide range of high level competitive sport most of his adult life. He spent his early years living in South Africa were he dedicated most of his youth to football. He moved back to the UK to study and graduated from the Guildford School of Acting in 2002. With still a great interest in sport, Ian went on to acquire a wide range of experience where he gained qualifications in Spin, kettlebell, Boxercise, nutrition as well as level 3 fitness in disability and fitness management. He is currently studying with the Association Of British Cycling to gain his qualification as a cycle coach.
Ian has always had a love for adventure and has found cycling the perfect way to explore the world. Although adventure is always at the heart of his explorations, it does come with a competitive instinct. With a love for both endurance road and mountain biking riding, he has competed in a number of multi day stage events around the world finishing the TransWales, 2 Cape Epic, 9 Joberg2C, and riding the full route of the 2017 Tour de France. He is a cycle ambassador for a number of brands.
Alison
Alison started Spinning® at Pedal Studio in 2012 and has attended hundreds of classes finding it an efficient and fun way to keep fit. Spinning® led to cycling outdoors, joining a local cycling club, and then participating in numerous cycling events from 1-day sportives to multi day challenges. She has found that regularly spinning® has really benefitted both her mental and physical fitness.
Alison completed her level 1 Spinning® qualification in 2021 and is ready to challenge you with great music and fun classes.