The other day I did something sort of unthinkable: I took a SoulCycle class.
How is this unthinkable, you ask? Well, mostly because I am so not a hardcore exercise girl. I like Zumba. And walking (okay fine, shopping.) And yoga, but not the hot kind. Spinning, on the other hand? I’ve always stayed far, far away for fear of having to actually, you know, work hard.
Still, when I was invited to try a Soul 101 intro class at my city’s brand new SoulCycle studio, I thought “it’s now or never.” Soul Cycle is an indoor cycling class that’s become a cult favorite among bougie New Yorkers and celebrities alike and I had heard so much about it, I wanted to try it for myself.
The verdict? I would go back despite the soreness I’m feeling today, and I suggest any of you ladies who are reading this and looking for a fun yet ass-kicking workout give this class a try. The music is awesome, the vibe is hip and the class itself goes by very quickly. But before you mount your stationary bike, you should know a few things.
1. The intro class is a great place to start.
The Soul 101 class is definitely, definitely a good idea if you’re new to SoulCycle. Even if you’ve taken other cycle classes, I suggest starting here: You’ll learn how to properly clip your shoes into the bike’s pedals and adjust your bike’s height, how to maintain proper form and all that jazz. The first half hour is devoted to the nuts and bolts while the second half is a mini SoulCycle class. This is a good thing as well – easing into a 30-minute workout is better than being thrown right into a full class.
2. Stick to very light weights.
Think you can’t get a good arm workout with 2-pound weights? Think again. I used a set of 2s and definitely felt the burn. I mean, think about it: You’re pedaling furiously while pumping the weights over your head and pulsing, so it really is challenging. Stick to one or two pound weights your first time.
3. The seat is not comfortable.
Nope. It’s just not. My instructor gave us a few tips for making it feel a bit better but nothing was making that thing feel like a couch.
4. The vibe makes the class.
From the club-like, expertly mixed music (which, FYI, plays really loudly) to the dimly-lit room to the energetic instructor, the reason you’re paying more (more on that below) is because the vibe at SoulCycle is truly superior to what you’ll find at some generic gym. This may not seem like a big deal, but this sort of fun, cool atmosphere is what makes the experience fun and it will probably be the thing that makes you come back over and over again.
5. It’s expensive.
So proceed with caution. Classes are $30 a pop and you’ll have to rent shoes for $3. Bring your own water bottle or you’ll incur an extra water charge (you need water.) Like I mentioned above, though, the vibe is the best part about the class and I feel like it actually helps excercise-phobes like me get excited to work out – and something that makes sweating something to look forward to is sort of priceless.
[Lead image via]
