Casey Ward

Co-Owner and Founder, Power Ryde

I have been passionate about health and fitness since I was ten years old. Running was my first love. It was an activity I initially resisted. One afternoon, during the summer before I entered fifth grade, my dad told me I was going to run around the block with him. I immediately said, “No I’m not.” But that was pointless because he made me go anyway. Every day, for the rest of the summer, he had me run with him. At first I hated it, but eventually I got really good at running and started beating him. It was not long thereafter that he needed a bicycle to keep up with me.

I discovered my second love, spinning, after suffering from a running injury. In the fall of 2009 my dad encouraged me to run the Columbus Marathon. 26.2 miles? I didn’t think I could do it, but he knew I could. And, he was right. I placed fourth in the marathon with a time of 2:54. I would have been happy just qualifying for Boston but I surpassed my own expectations. Two weeks after the marathon, as a result of over-training, I hurt my hip and was unable to run for months. To stay physically fit and still get that high I got from running, I had to find something else. That something was spinning. At first it was a love-hate relationship. My heart rate soared during class and all I wanted to do was get off the bike. But afterwards I felt invigorated…alive…and accomplished.

As I continued spinning, I fell in love. I yearned for more sprints and more hills during class. Upon entering my senior year at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) I got an email from a friend about a new spinning studio in Ann Arbor; a studio with bikes that moved! I watched a video on the bikes and was amazed. They looked like so much fun to ride; I couldn’t wait to get back to school to try them.

It was love at first ride. I was hooked after my first class. From that point on I went to class four to five times a week. No longer was my spin workout confined to jumps, hills, and sprints. Now there was side-to-side movement allowing for anything but boredom! As Spring came and graduation neared I was most sad about leaving my friends at the studio and moving back to Cincinnati where there were no RealRyder bikes anywhere! I desperately wished someone would open a studio in Cincinnati (I even begged the owner in Ann Arbor) because I knew it would be a huge success. ...After other things in my life didn't pan out, I decided I would be the one to open the studio, and that is when Power Ryde was born.

Fitness is what I love, what I do, and what I know. My classes are loud and full of energy. Quick transitions will have you moving, jumping, turning, and shaking (...the bike) for 45-minutes straight. I give ryders a physical workout that allows for a mental release. Join me and I can promise the 45-minutes will fly by!

More on Casey...

Favorite time of day to workout...The earlier the better, I just struggle rolling out of bed before 5am!

Favorite artist to ryde to...I play A LOT of Pitbull...but anything with a fast, heavy beat is my jam!

Hill or flat...That's hard; somewhere in between - a fast hill with a strong, heavy beat.

Favorite thing to do on the bike...SHAKE baby SHAKE!

Guilty pleasure...brownies

Why you teach...I love pushing people to their limits and then watching them surpass their limits. The look on their face when they've overcome a challenge is SO rewarding. I love knowing that I help people become strong physically AND mentally!

Three words that describe you...hard-core, passionate, determined