Getting myself to exercise can be a bit of a struggle. I’ve found that the best way to get myself motivated to work out is by signing up for fitness classes. It gives me that sense of commitment that I need to actually show up (aka, I paid for this, so I have no choice but to go). Recently, I tried one of the most famous (or perhaps infamous) fitness classes of all: SoulCycle.
SoulCycle has been the workout of choice for many celebrities (and the subject of some SNL skits) for a while now. I get bored easily while working out, and the notoriously upbeat nature of a spin class sounded like just what I needed.
To be transparent, I wasn’t a complete newbie to spin classes. When I’m back in my hometown, I’m an avid CycleBar fan. It was hard not to compare the two cycling franchises, but I tried to be as objective as possible.
When I entered the SoulCycle building, it was immediately clear to me that many of the people there were regulars. In settings like this, I think it’s pretty easy to get intimidated by everyone seemingly knowing exactly what’s going on while you’re kind of clueless. That being said, everyone working there was very friendly and willing to explain things to me.
After putting my things in a locker, I left the lobby and stepped into the cycling studio itself. While the studio was not that big, it was packed with stationary bikes. In fact, the bikes were so close together that I kept bumping into the person next to me during the ride. Though this was a little awkward given I was there alone, it wasn’t that big of a deal.
Once the instructor entered and the music started, it was go-time. If you arrive to class tired, the instructor’s infectious energy and Beyonce-filled playlist will definitely wake you up. We cycled to a variety of songs with different vibes. The objective is to match your peddling to the beat of the song, all while changing the resistance to make the push lighter or heavier.
The ride overall can be a bit confusing, even more so if you’ve never taken a spin class. At times, the music was so loud, it was difficult to hear the instructor’s directions. Additionally, the bikes at other spin classes I’ve been to had small screens to show your speed and resistance. SoulCycle bikes don’t have screens, so I felt myself getting a little lost in the class.
Once the class was over, I did feel energized, refreshed and accomplished, but was SoulCycle worth it? Well, let’s address the major elephant in the room: the price. It costs $32 for a single class, which is well outside the budget of many college students. Luckily, you’re able to take your first class for a slightly less outrageous $20.
For me, the price did not feel justified. While it was enjoyable, I did not love it enough to be willing to pay that price regularly. Of course, different things may resonate differently with other people. If you are able to and want to give a class a shot, go for it. As for me, the search for the perfect LA workout class continues.