
Low-impact high-intensity aqua cycling studio opens in Dazhi
Aqua cycling is a unique workout that is making waves in Taipei’s Dazhi neighborhood. It’s a low-impact but high-intensity workout performed in a pool. FTV reporter Stephany Yang sat down with the founder of an aqua cycling studio to learn more about the sport!
Stephany Yang
FTV reporter
Have you tried aqua cycling before? We are currently at an aqua cycling center in Dazhi. Let’s try it out!
This is a spin class, but underwater. Riders hop on specially designed stationary bikes in a pool, using the resistance of water for a low-impact but high-intensity workout.
We go through different cycling exercises such as seated ride, standing ride, sprints, backward paddle, and resistance with paddles underwater.
Towards the end of class, we performed jumping jacks, side lunges, and squats.
Amy Wang
Founder
Traditionally, indoor biking focuses on the lower body like just legs and hips. But to us, upper body and core are equally important as your lower body so we try to add some hand movements that you just did that train your arms and back. Also, when you try to stand and ride aqua cycling, it trains your core. The main difference between aqua cycling and indoor cycling is that it doesn’t really matter what body shape you are or what age you are. Even if you have some hidden problem. Like myself, I have slipped disc. All you can do is just jump into the water and you can start it right away. This is the thing I really like about aqua cycling.
Amy Wang, the founder of the aqua cycling center, spent 11 years working in Singapore and another five in New York, specializing in public relations. Her journey into aqua cycling began five years ago when she passed by a class in New York. Later, she had a slipped disc that left her unable to walk. She gave aqua cycling a try, and was amazed by its therapeutic benefits. Inspired by her own recovery and passion for the workout, Amy moved back to Taiwan during the COVID pandemic and launched her own aqua cycling studio this May.
Amy Wang
Founder
I left Taiwan when I was 16. I spent most of my time overseas. I came back to Taiwan due to COVID-19. When I was abroad, I realized there were a lot of cool things that I wanted to bring to Taiwan. Aqua cycling is one of the most exciting things that I want to bring back because it actually saved me twice personally. What happened to me was that seven years ago, I had a serious slipped disc. I couldn’t even walk properly. By the time I tried all exercises or workouts, the different methods on land, but there is still pressure on my spine until I found aqua cycling. The water itself it helps to support my weight and however, the water resistance can still help me to train my muscles and gain my strength. At the same time, my joints and spine are still supported by water. I think that is one of the unique benefits of aqua cycling.
Wang says aqua cycling is gentle on joints, burns hundreds of calories, and is a combination of cardio, strength, and water resistance. Aqua biking is suitable for everyone, especially people recovering from injury, older adults, and pregnant women.
Amy Wang
Founder
The aquatic exercise fits all people. From different ages, body shapes, and body conditions. However, we want to target pregnant women, elderly people, and people who have joint and spine problems because to a healthy person, it is easy to find the right exercise. However, some people they do need more care and just need an easy exercise to start right away. That is the main target that we really want to focus on. During my pregnancy, I had really bad hip joint problems because of the weight of the baby, so I did weight training, prenatal yoga, and it helped to gain muscle, but it didn’t help with my hip joint pain. Until when our studio was ready and I was nine months pregnant, I started doing aqua cycling. In the water, I couldn’t feel any weight of my belly, which was a good thing. It was a huge relief to me. I could raise my leg easily and do some cardio. The most important thing is that I can finally feel relaxed like a normal person in water. This is a very unique, irreplaceable benefit of water that couldn’t be brought by other land exercises.
Whether you’re aiming to protect our joints, bounce back from an injury, or simply explore a fresh fitness experience, Wang hopes that her studio can be the new hot spot for aqua cycling.
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2025-10-10