I never intended to start an “I Tried It” series, but I’ve been fortunate enough over the past few weeks to have the opportunity to check out some pretty cool experiences I probably never would have tried otherwise: trapeze class and now, Soul Cycle, the popular indoor cycling class.
As an admitted celebrity gossip hound, I was very familiar with the trendy NYC-based Soul Cycle. Kelly Ripa swears by it. So does Katie Holmes. And Jake Gyllenhaal. And plenty of other celebs and starlets.
And now Soul Cycle has entered the Boston market with their first Massachusetts location! The studio is located in Chestnut Hill, about 7 miles outside the city, in a swanky new outdoor shopping center.
When I checked in at the studio, the gals behind the counter confirmed my registration and my assigned bike.
Yep, that’s right. When you register (online) for your class, you are assigned one of 50+ bikes in the studio, eliminating the free-for-all bloodbath than can ensue when spin devotees all rush into the studio to claim “their” bike, the “best” bike or, in some cases, any bike at all. (I’ve witnessed this at gyms in both Baltimore and Washington, D.C. It’s ugly).
I was also asked if I needed spin shoes, which are available to rent for $3 per class. Um, yes please. Because even though I have been spinning on and off for nearly five years, I still have not invested in a pair of spin shoes — something my friends in my spin class in my little town gym tease me about. I know, I know. Spin shoes make all the difference, right? Well, I was about to find out.
I put on my Shimano spin shoes and waited for the studio doors to open … along with about 45 other mostly Lululemon-clad women (and some men).
The studio itself was awesome. The instructor was on a raised platform with candles, one wall was full of inspirational quotes, and there were row after row of Soul Cycle bikes.
Getting set up on my bike was pretty easy, and so I clipped my shoes in as our instructor, Justin, welcomed everyone. The energy in the room was definite palpable, or at least it seemed that way to me, since I have never been in a spin class with this many people! (Although I could help but think This room is going to reek in a half hour).
Justin dimmed the lights in the room (although there were candles lit on the platform) and cranked up the music, which was a little deafening … although it may be due to the fact that I normally take spin classes at 5am in a local neighborhood gym and we’re not permitted to play the music too loud (otherwise the neighbors complain!).
I won’t lie – even the warm-up song was challenging. Whew!
After that, we never really stopped. Soul Cycle was totally different than the Les Mills RPM classes that I’m used to. For one thing, you’re rarely “in the saddle” (sitting down). You’re either climbing or doing “jumps” (quickly alternating between sitting and standing climbs) or hovering an inch above your seat. Ouch.
There are also no obvious built-in recoveries like with RPM. We were always on the move and working, and normally at a MUCH faster pace and cadence than RPM.
The class also incorporates upper body work, too, which I didn’t realize going into it. During several songs, we were pushing ourselves up and down from the handlebars in a modified sort of push-up (all choreographed with the music, of course) or doing core work … all while spinning.
As an admittedly uncoordinated gal, I had a hard time not only getting the moves right, but doing it at the right pace, and I felt pretty awkward trying to do them. But I love that it’s more of a full-body workout compared to your traditional spin class.
And for one song, we used the two 2lb hand weights attached to the back of the bike for some insane triceps work. It seems pretty lame to call this a tough tricep workout, because it was only 4lbs, but doing tricep extensions and overhead triceps work as you’re pedaling was much tougher than I thought it would be.
One other thing I enjoyed about the class? The instructor. I haven’t had a male gym instructor (for any kind of class) in years, which was a nice change, and he was incredibly motivational and energizing throughout the whole class.
When Justin walked us through the cool down song, my friend J and I turned to each other and asked, “It’s over already?” Those 45 minutes flew by!
My consensus? I really enjoyed my Soul Cycle experience and can see why so many people are addicted to it! It was a fast-paced, challenging, full-body workout (I was a sweaty mess after, but I felt refreshed — not completely exhausted), I love that you can borrow cycling shoes, and I was totally into the Soul Cycle atmosphere and energy.
A couple of things to keep in mind, though.
– The price. At $30 a class, it is not easy on the wallet. But considering the fact that every single bike in my Saturday 10:45am class was full, just like the classes both before and after, people seem willing to pay it.
– The space itself is pretty small, and the locker area was almost impossible to navigate, especially when you’re trying to squeeze around other sweaty bodies. For that reason, you definitely want to get there a good 15 minutes (or more) before class. There are also only two bathrooms (located off the main hallway), meaning there was always a line before and after class. But I do like how they have free lockers, with locks you can program for the duration of the class, available to members.
Overall, I’m happy I got to experience the Soul Cycle hype, and if I lived closer to the studio (it’s about 35-40 min. away), I’d probably drop-in occasionally, just to mix things up. But I don’t know if I could rationalize having two gym memberships, since the runner in me needs access to a treadmill and I really do love my strength training classes. But if you’re in the Boston area and are looking for an intense, full-body workout, I’d definitely recommend checking out Soul Cycle!
P.S. They offer a free Community Ride for Soul Cycle newbies! Just sign up online on Mondays at noon.
Have you ever tried Soul Cycle or just a regular spin class? What’s your top piece of advice for someone new to spinning?
I was offered a complementary class to facilitate my review, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.