Community-minded Leechburg spin studio provides more than a workout

Amy Capiross-Watterson of Allegheny Township has an uncanny talent of inspiring people to do hard things.

And with her only goal being to make people feel good, she has united a group of about 50 cyclists who visit her spin classes each week at Accelerate Cycle Studio in Leechburg.

Capiross-Watterson, 42, has owned her studio for three years but has been teaching for the past 25 years.

“I started spinning when I was 16,” she said. “It was for a really simple reason: I wanted to feel good in a homecoming dress.”

Capiross-Watterson would spin before and after school, slowly falling in love with the exercise. After serving in the Army from 2001 to 2007, she continued her passion by teaching spin classes throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley while running her photography business, Amy Cap Photography.

“I started from nothing,” she said. “I bought my bikes with Amy Cap Photography business money. I built this all up by myself.”

She offers classes from beginner to experienced, amassing a loyal following of regular cyclists who she lovingly refers to as her Fit Fam.

“I’ve never had such a great group,” Capiross-Watterson said. “They’re all friends. They’re all very close. They know each other. They’re Facebook friends. It’s really nice.”

Over her years of teaching, she has developed different moves that she calls out during her spin classes. The commands — butt jumps, sprints and the soldier — work all of the riders’ muscles without causing too much strain on their bodies.

Having suffered from arthritis for the past 10 years, she stresses joint and muscle health.

“I don’t focus on (weight loss),” she said. “I focus on ‘how do you feel?’ I don’t mean like when you look in the mirror, but how do you actually feel?”

Not only do the Fit Fam members participate in weekly classes, they also partake in “challenge rides,” 105-minute rides that cyclists need to train for before they can even attempt. Capiross-Watterson said members have to participate for at least a month, and she personally approves which cyclists are ready for the challenge and which are not quite there yet.

“I train them for (long rides),” Capiross-Watterson said. “I’m a stickler for them. You’ve got to train for these.”

Victoria Hooks, 43, of Allegheny Township has been with Accelerate Cycle Studio since the beginning. Hooks said she met Capiross-Watterson through Amy Cap Photography and began taking her spin classes.

“When Amy decided to open her own business, I followed her because her style of teaching really fit my personality,” Hooks said. “She makes it fun. She makes it interesting. She just makes it so it’s a really good workout.”

Capiross-Watterson has nicknamed Hooks the “Co-Founder.” Hooks holds the record for completing the most challenge rides in the studio.

“Amy’s motivation and her belief that I could do it when I didn’t think I could — that’s what made me stick with it,” Hooks said.

Adrienne Francowic, 35, of Leechburg discovered Accelerate Cycle Studio through Facebook. She started classes as a beginner and quickly became a member of the Fit Fam.

“The group as a whole is very tight-knit,” Francowic said. “I was welcomed by everyone right off the bat. Not only did I get a new workout regimen, I got a new group of friends and people who motivate me.”

Amy Emmerling, 61, of Allegheny Township is a neighbor of Capiross-Watterson. Emmerling began a fitness journey in 2019 and was visiting a trainer when she heard her neighbor had opened a spin studio.

“It’s the best way to get in shape,” Emmerling said.

Since beginning at the cycling studio, Emmerling said she has lost 35 pounds and made some new friends.

“It’s a great atmosphere,” she said.

Disa Sylvester, 32, of New Kensington found the studio three years ago through her sister. She said she had a rough start when learning the ropes compared to where she is now in her spinning.

“I was a hot mess at first,” Sylvester said. “I couldn’t keep my feet in the pedals, and it was tricky figuring out the resistance on the bikes. Now I’m more able to stay on the bike. I have more control of my body and balance.”

During those three years, Sylvester said Capiross-Watterson kept her coming back to the studio.

“I feed off of good energy, and I think because Amy was so positive and reassuring and bubbly, we just vibed really well,” Sylvester said.

Sylvester said that not only is Capiross-Watterson her spin instructor, but she has become a close friend.

Lori Henry, 43, of Apollo heard about the studio from a friend about two years ago. She began spinning to try to lose weight but stumbled into a sanctuary.

Henry said spinning has become a space for her to get away from the day-to-day chaos and have some “me time.” After cycling for 2½ years, she began challenge rides just before Thanksgiving.

“I can really feel a difference in my stamina,” she said. “Amy’s an awesome instructor. She really does make you feel welcome, and she really pushes you.”

Henry said the studio also helped to introduce her to her second family.

“It actually is more like a family here,” Henry said. “We all know each other. We’re all regular spinners. On Saturdays after class, we all go for coffee at Coco Coffeehouse.”

Capiross-Watterson has spread the love to other businesses in and around the Leechburg community by incorporating them in her studio’s events. Coco Coffeehouse, just down the street, is a regular spot for spinners to visit after class. She also has helped to advertise a workout line released by East West Boutique in Vandergrift.

Local food trucks and restaurants are included in each event that she hosts at the studio.

“The studio is an important part of the community,” Hooks said. “It gives a place for people to go and work on themselves — not just physically but mentally and emotionally. Amy is really supportive of that.”

Said Capiross-Watterson: “My No. 1 goal is to help people feel good, and I’ve dedicated my life to it.”