Ripley’s has always celebrated the wonderfully weird, and this story, well, strikes a chord... literally.
In Henderson, Nevada, fitness trainer Mateo Drottz is reimagining spin class with a surprising twist. While riders pedal hard on indoor bikes, Mateo plays the violin live, swapping pounding bass drops for soaring classical strings. The result? A workout that’s intense and oddly calming all at once.
A Workout That Hits Different
Most spin classes are built on loud, fast playlists designed to push riders to their limits. Mateo’s violin flips that script.
Mateo’s music brings focus and flow to the room, helping riders find rhythm in their movement and maybe even forget how hard they’re working (at least for a moment).
But this isn’t about perfect technique or sculpted six-pack abs.
More Than Fitness
For Mateo, his mashup of music and motion is about confidence, connection, and community. Riders come as they are, move at their own pace, and share a one-of-a-kind experience that feels more like a collective performance than a competition. It’s proof that fitness doesn’t have to be intimidating to be powerful.
A spin class led by a violinist might sound unbelievable, but that’s exactly why it belongs at Ripley’s. This incredible story is just one of the many real, strange, and inspiring features you’ll find inside our brand-new Ripley’s annual book.
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