Note: I am not a fitness freak. I’m actually the opposite—I almost never work out, and when I do, it’s a variation of a yoga class at the Plex and an occasional sprint up Comm Ave to make it to class on time.
Soul Cycle opened in the Chestnut Hill Square in early March, but has been expanding across the country since 2006. It revamps the typical spinning class experience by using high-energy music, low lighting and hand weights to create a something I can only explain as a fusion of the most Zen yoga class ever and the Tour de France. Its mission is to redefine fitness classes to reshape not just abs and quads, but minds and souls. With spinning bikes that are customized for its classes and an incredibly welcoming and motivating atmosphere, Soul Cycle gave me one of the best workout experiences I’ve ever had.
My cousin convinced me to go to a class with her in the Chestnut Hill Square studio, but before that, I’d never heard of it. The Soul Cycle studio is incredibly sleek, yet surprisingly unintimidating. The studio has an entire wall of lockers, filtered water fountains, showers, changing rooms and one of the nicest bathrooms I’ve ever been in.
Because I had never taken a Soul Cycle class, I had help from the staff making sure my bike’s seat and handlebars were adjusted for my height and they explained everything from the resistance knob to how to actually get off the bike. If they hadn’t been so nice, I probably would have left halfway through in tears.
The class lasts 45 minutes and is a full-fledged, full body workout. Like a standard spin class, Soul Cycle covers the basics of moving from the three different positions, but differed in that the routines are much faster. And, everything moves in sync with the music. Because you essentially fasten yourself into the bike through cycling shoes that clip into the bikes, it’s much easier to keep the tempo and maintain a steady ride. This was very hard for me to get used to, but before the end of the first song, it was like I’d been going to Soul Cycle for months. Being clipped into the bikes helps keep up with the beat as well, because the class synchronizes the pace together by “riding the beat,” and down pedaling at the music’s drop. At times, it felt like riding a bike through an Avicii concert (but in a good way).
The entire class is on the “journey” together, so everyone adds the same amount of resistance throughout the class. I thought this would be discouraging, but knowing that throughout the class, everyone was pushing themselves just as hard as I was actually made me feel more comfortable (although I’m willing to bet most of them were in better shape than me). On the final “ride,” the instructor actually lights candles and combined with the whole class is riding together, the energy is literally infectious. There’s a cool down at the end of the workout, and like a yoga class, it concludes with the famous “Namaste.”
The thing I loved the most about Soul Cycle was the motivation. I don’t generally like workout classes and am usually intimidated in classes where I’m doing something I’ve never done before. However, my instructor, Erin, perfectly balanced “you can do it!” with “rest if you need to!” and repeatedly reminded us to reflect on why we were there and what we wanted to get out of the class. Soul Cycle isn’t a typical workout; it’s high-speed meditation to the sounds of electronic pop.
The only downside to Soul Cycle classes is the price. The “First Time Ride” is $20 and shoe rental is free, but from there, the cost is pretty high. One class is $30, but there are packages of 5, 10, 20, 30 and 50 that range from $145-$3,500. The packages have expiration dates as well, which is both a negative and a positive. On the one hand, it’s a bummer to buy 5 classes and end up not being able to use all of them. But, the fact that they expire is an added motivation to get your butt off the couch and actually go to Soul Cycle!
As a self-proclaimed couch potato with little to no interest in working out, Soul Cycle was an incredible experience I would recommend to anyone. I will definitely be going again, and maybe even investing in one of those Soul Classes packages if I ever get a job!
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Photo Sources:
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