By Brooke Edwards
The city’s triathletes may soon be training in Tribeca.
Construction is underway on a high-end training facility, Cadence Cycling and Multisport Center at 174 Hudson St., on the corner of Vestry St. Jay Snider, C.E.O. for Cadence, said he hopes to open June 15. He presented plans for his new facility to the Tribeca Committee of Community Board 1 last week.
The committee was impressed with the high-tech features Cadence will include and not only approved the special permit required for the fitness center, but co-chairperson Andy Neale said they plan to write a letter of support, calling it a great addition to the community. The vote is advisory and it will be up to the city to approve the application.
The 9,200-square-foot space will offer training equipment and coaching for cyclists, swimmers and runners.
Cyclists will be able to bring in their rides and set them in a “trainer,” also called a stationary stand, which will allow them to operate like stationary bikes. The training room will accommodate up to 24 cyclists, and will offer several training sessions each day.
There will be customized bike fitting services and pedal efficacy analysis, which can point out strengths and weaknesses in technique.
Cadence will also sell custom-made bikes, ranging from $2,700 to over $20,000.
For swimmers, the site’s basement will offer an Endless Pool Swimming Machine. This is an 9 by 14 foot pool that creates an adjustable current, allowing athletes to swim in place while still logging their practice “laps.” The pool can accommodate up to two swimmers at a time.
While Snider expects they will occasionally have athletes come in who are solely runners, he said, “Most of our customers are either cyclists or multi-sport athletes.”
For all of their athletes, Cadence will have a physiological testing lab. The lab will measure muscular endurance levels, oxygen consumption, metabolic rate and body mass index.
There will not be memberships, but customers can sign up for monthly training sessions, ranging from $225 to $995 per month. Snider says they have already hired four coaches including David Jordan, who started with a background in BMX riding and has won eight New York State titles in various road racing events. He has also coached world champion athletes, including Jill Kintner and Floyd Landis. Another coach is Mikael Hanson, a nationally ranked duathlete who has coached members of Team USA for the Triathlon and Duathlon World Championships.
While interior alterations are underway, Snider says they will not make any alterations to the exterior of the landmarked building.
Cadence opened its first location in Philadelphia in 2004. There, Snider said, “We are doing very well.”
He decided to expand to Manhattan because, he said, “It is a really fantastic cycling market and we felt that it was underserved, especially for the type of service we provide.” Snider said he chose Tribeca because “it’s just such a happening area with the growth in residents and businesses.” He said they also wanted an area with good access to the Hudson River Park bike path, and to the large cycling community, “just over the bridge in Brooklyn.”
