Photo provided to China Daily

After I stuff my belongings into a small locker, I don cleats provided by the club before trying out a class. Although I have been participating in indoor cycling classes for more than a decade, this was my first session in a dedicated spin studio wearing cleats.

While waiting for the class to start, I chat with a woman named Katie. She works nearby and attends XYZ's classes about once a week.

"XYZ is an acronym for Xpin Your Zenses," Katie says.

"I do a few other sports, but usually they require getting together with friends who may cancel last minute on me. I usually come here at lunch or after work, and I love the big, comfortable showers here."

She explains that while the instructors use weights and emphasize working the upper body, the focus is getting people to have fun as they are getting fitter.

As our class begins, I have to agree. The lively instruction and entertaining shout-outs keep us on our toes—literally. A series of arm presses and crunches while cycling to the driving rhythm of a trance tune had me sweating after the first song.

"We don't take a trainer approach like the gyms: Our instructors are all Schwinn-certified and come from diverse backgrounds, including gymnastics and ballet," Koo says.

"The music is like going to a club in Lan Kwai Fong. We are all born to move. I hope that XYZ will get more people to exercise regularly."

IF YOU GO

XYZ

2/F, New World Tower II, 18 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong.

852-2865-0999.