Have you guys heard of SoulCycle?
It’s a full-body indoor cycling workout offered in New York and California, and, being from Florida, I never heard of it until earlier this week when Ashley tweeted about it, asking if anyone in town for Fitness Magazine’s Meet & Tweet wanted to take the 6 a.m. class today.
Since New York City fitness classes have kicked my butt in the past (thank you, Physique 57), I knew I wanted to give it a go!
I awoke at 5:10 a.m. quickly scarfed down a Zone bar and met Ashley in the hotel lobby at 5:30 a.m. to walk to the class together in the rain.
We also met up with fellow blogger Kristine before it was time to ride!
Since it was my first class, I was able to attend at a discounted rate, otherwise classes are (get this!) $32. Insane, right? And they had a completely packed class. According to Ashley, the class books up ridiculously fast and is always full.
As a first timer, I was also given spinning shoes to wear during the class for free (you may also rent them there or bring your own).
When I heard I’d be wearing legit shoes, I got a little nervous! How intense was this class going to be!? I’ve only ever taken spinning at my local gym and never had fancy schmancy shoes.
Well, the class was most certainly hardcore and I was dripping sweat by the end of it. The music was loud and energetic and every song had a fantastic beat.
During the class, we did typical sprints and hill climbs, but also integrated arm movements like pushups on the bike and shoulder exercises with very light weights. I really felt the burn in my arms which totally shocked me since I figured it would be mostly a cardio or leg workout.
And you wanna know something pretty darn cool about the class?
Chelsea Clinton was in it this morning!
My friend Merri sees celebrities all the time in the city so last time when I was here visiting her, I was on the lookout for someone famous. Naturally I didn’t see anyone so I was pretty excited to see Chelsea.
I’m not sure how the security works for former first children of the United States, but I scanned the class for super fancy security guys and didn’t see anyone… but maybe they were undercover and super sneaky. Or maybe former first children no longer get security, which could easily be the case. Does anyone know?
Question of the Afternoon
- Have you ever taken a specialty fitness class like SoulCycle or Physique 57? Would you want to?
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My best friends works there 🙂
I am obsessed with trying celebrity workouts and Soul Cycle is totally a workout for the stars! So jealous you saw Chelsea! and yes, $32 is expensive!!
Soul Cycle is my favorite!!! I used to go all the time in NYC!!! Like 2 classes a day in the summer! Once in the Hamptons I was in class with Kelly Rippa!!
Welcome to NYC everything is expensive. I pay $590 for 20 classes at Physique, and I take it 3x a week. I’m starting the bridal challenge next week 4 weeks for 4x a week and then i get 15% off my next 20 class package (at the price they should give me 20%. If you love something and it works for you it’s definitly worth the money, i work on 57th street so it’s very convienent for me. My fiance wants to try Soul Cycle so we may venture to that after my bridal challenge is over.
I’ve seen Chelsea a couple times actually and she never has security with her. The last time i saw her was at a gala and she looked like crap and had an ugly dress on!!!
Ugh I’ve been in NYC for two years now and I still haven’t found my way to SoulCycle, though I want to! It’s pretty expensive is all. Glad to hear you got your money’s worth!
The first-time discount for Soul Cycle is pretty great. I took a class there when I was home in April and loved it. So much fun and the people who work there are so nice! That being said, it’s definitely super intense (and perhaps a bit ego bruising…). Hope you are having fun in NYC!
That looks like a great class! I agree that the $32 is crazy though! So cool about sharing a class with Chelsea!
That sounds intense for sure! How cool that Chelsea was in the class. Did you snap a creeper photo? 😉
You have to try Flywheel too! I also highly recommend a Core Fusion class at Exhale Spa.
hey brittany!! i was just going to mention that i too listen to wake up with taylor on cosmo radio and she always talks about soul cycle, seeing kelly ripa, kelly bensimon, & olivia (the opera singer, who is a friend of cosmo radio) from the biggest loser. laurie cole, one of the instructors used to stop by cosmo radio for thursday’s fat kid fit club. i miss listening the thursday chats. i really loved hearing all of her fitness knowledge.
Oh I’m so jealous! Although I’ve never even tried spinning at the gym (haha), I’ve really wanted to try SoulCycle. I listen to Wake Up with Taylor and she does soulcycle and talks about Chelsea being in her classes, as well as Kelly Bensimon and Kelly RIpe. Awesome. 🙂
I cannot believe how expensive ONE class is! That’s just crazy!! That’s practically what a MONTH membership at my gym costs– with all classes included. Jeez! Does sound like an AWESOME class, though.
SUPER exciting to see Chelsea Clinton! How fun!!!
wowzers! 32 dollars for one class? I wanted to try a class until I read that lol. But that’s pretty exciting to have a celebrity in your class…
I’m from ontario but went to DC a few months ago for a conference. I almost bumped into an older man walking with a several other older well dressed people. Once we were several feet away one of the boys i was travelling with started freaking out that I nearly bumped into newt gingrich. And thats my closest story to a celebrity sighting lol.
I love celebrity sightings! How fun. I would definitely be up for a specialty fitness class (but without the specialty price.) My whole gym membership is less than one class!
I’ve always wanted to try SoulCycle. I hear Kelly Ripa love sit too. And you saw Chelsea?!!!
I just went to Jazzfest in New Orleans and saw Cynthia from Real Housewives of Atlanta on one of my flights. That was kind of exciting, but not like seeing Chelsea.
Have a great time in NYC!
I would love, love, love to have a gym that offers unique, full-body workout classes like that!
Whhhaaa? You went spinning with Chelsea Clinton. Nice. Spin is always my fav class at the gym. Good times.
No sneaky pics of Chelsea!? Kidding…sorta. Does your friend like living up there compared to Florida? I have never trie any type of cycling class, but it sounds fun; can’t wait to hear more of your adventures.
I LOVE soul cycle!! It is such a crazy hard class but gets you sweating and PUMPED UP! woo hoooo
I love celebrity sightings! I go to Pure Barre and Erin Andrews was in one of my classes once.
So cool that you saw Chelsea Clinton!
I love “regular” spin class, so I’m sure I’d love this class too! I wear those exact spin shoes!
I’ve actually met Chelsea Clinton in NYC too! One year on Fourth of July I went to a friends apt to watch the fireworks from her rooftop and rode the elevator up with Chelsea and two friends. It turns out she was their next door neighbor! I really wanted to blurt out something about us having the same name but somehow I played it cool. She seemed very sweet and down to earth.
That class looks fun, I’ll have to try it sometime.
I can’t believe Chelsea was in your spin class! I also can’t believe how much it costs, lol. I miss spin, it’s been a while…my class at the Y is by far not near as intense as that one – I love that they give you shoes to wear. I’ve always wanted to get a pair for myself, did you feel a huge difference?
I hope you talked to her! or at least waved. Random, but she spoke at my undergrad once when her mom was campaigning and I got to introduce her. She later CALLED MY CELL PHONE and proceeded to say how nice it was to meet me and thanked me for welcoming her to my school. Maybe she was hoping to get a vote for her mom, but regardless I was really impressed!
That’s awesome and sounds like a great workout! I just read this, you might be interested…
http://www.hollywoodlife.com/2010/08/01/chelsea-clinton-wedding-workout-bridal-boot-camp-exercise-gym-work-out-plan/
Hope you’re having fun in nyc – lurrrrrrve NYC!!!! 😀
I REALLY want to try both Physique 57 and SoulCycle!! Kelly Ripa goes to SoulCycle and raves about it. That is really, really cool that Chelsea Clinton was in your class – how exciting! The spin instructor I had in college incorporated push-ups on the bike, but she’s the only instructor I’ve ever had do that – I thought it was a good way to get more of a full body workout in!
So cool Chelsea C. was in your class! I’ve never taken any spinning classes, but I’ve always wanted to. I live in mostly rural area in Ohio & the nearest class would be almost an hour away for me.
What a cool celebrity sighting! I don’t know how security works for them beyond their parent’s presidency. But a high school classmate of mine went to Stanford with her and had at least one class with her,and he mentioned the security guards hanging in the back of the classroom.
This class sounds great- I always get such a good burn after spinning so I bet this is killer!
I’ve always wanted to do Physique 57. I’ve never liked cycling though.
Awesome seeing Chelsea Clinton! I would’ve stared the whole time!
Hilary & Haylie Duff do SoulCycle as well. Hilary does it to shed the baby weights. She is totally hooked on it!
Were you in nyc the night of the met gala? I was last year and didn’t realize it and just thought it was so stupid the met was closed. Turns out all the big celebrities were in nyc at that time! And i didn’t spot a single one!
I work 2 blocks from Bryant Park! It’s the best, whenever it’s nice I sit and eat lunch there or people watch! I love having a space with green grass and trees in the middle of the city! Hope you enjoy your time here!
Wow! SoulCycle sounds intense but really fun! I can’t believe you saw Chelsea Clinton there! Those classes are expensive though! Wow! I guess it would be a nice workout “treat” to go every now and then.
I have to tell you, I was thinking about your Nike Frees all day yesterday, I ended up buying a pair. I absolutely love that color and just had to have them. You are a great enabler 😉 Ha ha! Have a great time and safe travels!
Chelsea was in my Soul class last week too! BTW Julie I’m one of your new fans. I learned a lot from your session at the Fitness Magazine Meet & Tweet.
that would make my day, ok week, to see a celebrity. so jealous.
I normally go to this class on wednesdays because that is my favorite instructor!!! I am so sad I missed you!!!
I have been dying to try SoulCycle! I have a free pass to the on one Sunset Blvd near my apartment in West Hollywood, CA…I need to get over there!
My gym trainer at work does a similar class. People have walked out of it before because it was so intense! i love it, however my lack of coordination lets me down with the push ups etc 🙁
I met Chelsea Clinton in February 2008 at Texas Christian University! I was a junior in high school there for a conference and she was there campaigning for her mom for the presidency. I was able to get a picture with her before she left- definitely my highlight of that year!
SoulCycle is definitely a one-of-a-kind experience…I’m not much for stationary cycling (I run outdoors all year round, and like to ride a bike on a bike path though!) but the few times I’ve gone it’s been an intense workout. It’s a little too competitive for my tastes though, there are other girls in NYC who log on every Monday to book their bikes and it’s a race just to sign up!