Key Specifications  

That inspiration manifested in 1987 when I created the first Spinning® bike. Initially, I’d envisioned a piece of equipment that I could use to train for ultra-distance races. As I began to develop the accompanying program however, I realized that its application would transcend that of a simple exercise machine; it could foster balance, consciousness, and harmony for people of all fitness levels. Within a few short years, the global impact had exceeded all of my expectations. My innovation was being used around the world, and people were training in a way they’d never experienced or imagined. And I was training right along with them.  

But in 2004 a virus severely damaged my heart, and my ability to ride a bike was stripped away from me. It was during this unlikely time, while fighting to heal my body, that a memory from the recent past entered my mind and with it, another inspiration.In 2002, while attending a cycling event for physically challenged athletes, I had the opportunity to try a participant’s homemade hand-cycle. I never imagined that using my arms alone to power a cycle could be so much fun – or so physically demanding. This memory became my inspiration: if such a bike were re-engineered properly and integrated with a training system steeped in mind-body philosophies, the possibilities would be vast.   

 And the Krankcycle® was born.

Cardiovascular Fitness
Studies have shown that Kranking increases VO2 max and will significantly improve cardiovascular fitness.

Upper-Body Strength
One of the most exciting aspects of Kranking is its impact on upper-body strength. Studies have demonstrated muscle growth and increased definition, so participants are developing strength while performing an effective cardio workout.  

Core Strength
Kranking is a coordinated series of movements performed and reinforced by the activation of the core muscles to stabilize the body. Core strengthening and stabilization facilitates the use of even more muscles to increase the effect on cardio and strength. 

Effective Cross-Training
Kranking provides unparalleled benefits for those cross-training for lower-body activities, due to its substantial impact on the cardiovascular system. This allows athletes to train at a high level while resting primary muscles, recovering or rehabilitating after an injury.

Weight Management
Kranking helps burn more calories by increasing the upper-body’s ability to use oxygen to burn fat more efficiently. As an added benefit, it also increases resting metabolic rate as a result of improved body composition, for a bigger post-workout calorie burn.  

Kranking in Indoor Cycling Classes
Kranking can be easily integrated into indoorcycling classes, enabling people to cross-train by performing a segment of the class on the bicycle and a segment on the Krankcycle. Kranking is a great way to expand your fitness programs.

Kranking Fusion Classes
Fusion classes mix multiple training modalities in one session for a fast effective workout. By providing upper-body, cardiovascular and strength training along with core stabilization and conditioning, Kranking is a perfect complement to any form of lower body training, making it ideal for a fusion format. 

Power Kranking Classes
The 30-minute Power Kranking format uses seated and standing movements incorporating arms, shoulders, chest, back, ab and core muscles. Power Kranking uses the Krankcycle exclusively, and offers your members a unique, full-body training session in just 30 minutes.

Kranking with Trainers
Trainers can incorporate the Krankcycle into their existing training formats. Not only is it a great alternative to traditional weight lifting, it is also a means to rehabilitate clients following shoulder injuries, and a great cardio alternative for those recovering from lower-limb injuries. Kranking gives your trainers new ways to attract clients while keeping your personal training program on the cutting edge.

Individual Kranking
Using the Krankcycle comes naturally, largely because the movements are so easily learned. As a result, people quickly feel comfortable creating and varying their own exercise routines on the Krankcycle. Your members want variety, and Kranking can be a new and unique alternative to the treadmill and elliptical on the fitness floor.

Regardless of their fitness goals, Kranking offers your members an entirely new way to work out…without limitations or barriers.  

Sport Specific
Kranking offers an ideal cardio cross-training solution for runners and cyclists, allowing them to maintain a high level of cardiovascular fitness while permitting full recovery of the primary muscles. Kranking is also the perfect indoor training option for swimmers and kayakers. In addition to building muscular strength and indurance for sport-specific training, it will help maintain strength and endurance during the off-season. Kranking can help the athlete take his or her training to the next level.

Goal Specific
By challenging the cardiovascular system and the muscles in a new way, Kranking can augment and improve your members’ weight loss efforts, boosting overall metabolic rate and increasing the rate of calorie burn during and after exercise.

Special Populations
Kranking is ideal for the gym’s many “special populations”, including those who are injured, physically challenged, deconditioned, obese or pregnant, as well as anyone with osteoarthritis or recovering from breast cancer that has related lymphedema. 

Kranking can help maintain or even improve cardio fitness during the healing period following a lowerbody injury. 

The Krankcycle is also completely wheelchair accessible. This opens new fitness doors to those who would otherwise have limited exercise options.

Kranking is a great calorie-burner for those who might find weight-bearing exercise too challenging or intimidating, Individuals are able to control the intensity of their workouts, with no impact to ankles, knees, hips or lower back. This also means that most pregnant women can enjoy a fun and safe exercise program throughout their pregnancies.

Studies have shown that Kranking may be effective in relieving the symptoms of Lymphedema, a common condition among those undergoing treatments for breast cancer. 

For tens of millions of people worldwide with physical disabilities, fitness centers can be a daunting environment. The equipment options for these athletes are few; the group exercise choices even fewer.

The Kranking program opens the door to a whole new world of fitness for challenged athletes around the world. The Krankcycle creates unprecedented training opportunities, with a fitness program that is effective, fun and approachable. The Krankcycle is fully wheelchair accessible, enabling people with limited mobility to participate, sharing the same program, using the same equipment, and enjoy the wonderful positive energy of a group fitness environment.

The Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) is a powerful concept centering on developing programs, equipment and people in order to make fitness environments not just accessible but truly inclusive. Johnny G and the Kranking team are committed to supporting and promoting this idea worldwide.

Johnny knew that for a program to be truly successful, a strong connection with the athletes, trainers, and gym owners who would be using the system was needed. To that end, Johnny pioneered the concept of traveling Master Instructors, training camps, mandatory continuing education and trainer certifications to ensure training quality, provide support, and foster relationships within the fitness community. The result was an unparalleled educational program steeped in science and born of decades of training experience.  

Kranking has been created with the same emphasis on knowledge, safety and continuous professional development. Clubs, instructors and individual participants can be assured that the Kranking system of education will continue to provide everything they’ve come to expect from a Johnny G program: a safe, effective program; a product is of the highest quality; versatile training applications, and the same extensive, reliable educational support that made Johnny G certified instructors the most sought-after fitness professionals in the world.

At the heart of this system is the College of Knowledge, an institution created to develop, research, and oversee all aspects of Kranking education, from instructor training to public outreach.

The College supports a complete fitness and lifestyle community--instructors and enthusiasts alike--addressing the needs of people of all fitness levels and physical ability. 

Your facility’s investment in the College of Knowledge will help attract and retain members by ensuring the highest standards in instruction, equipment and safety.