Celebrities are doing it. Oprah just had an arena-wide session at her “The Life You Want Weekend” in Newark. It’s called SoulCycle, “indoor cycling re-invented,” as the company’s website says.
“Do you want to take a SoulCycle class?” asked my daughter A since I had planned to visit NYC this past weekend. “I’ll register us for Saturday at 10:45 a.m.” “Okay, let’s go for it,” I replied. I had taken a spinning class once before but never done SoulCycle. “Maybe we will see some celebrities,” I said. I had heard that Jake Gyllenhaal was a cycler in the city. My son’s girlfriend J joined us too.
I dressed in my artful gray and black leggings and black tee. We arrived early for the sold-out session. We checked in at the front desk and were given cycling shoes and instructed to go downstairs to put our things in a locker. I signed the waiver, since I was a first time rider.
Ready To Ride
I watched as previous class attendees exited the exercise room – each sweating more than the next. I peered around the crowd to see my fellow comrades. Millennials were in the majority, most with ponytails and sweatbands. Was I ready for this 45 minute choreographed workout? Would my body and legs survive the intensity?
I entered the dark room with mirrored walls and wallpaper filled with impelling words. A staff member helped me adjust my assigned seat. He fixed the pedals and locked in my shoes. No escaping now.
Motivational Mantas
“I’m Mantas, your instructor for this session,” said Mantas as he shut the door tight and jumped on his bike. Up came the loud electronic music. “Stretch those legs,” he shouted. “Are you ready for the ride?” I stretched my legs just like we do in yoga. This is easy. I can do this.
The lights got lower. The music rocked harder. My heartbeat revved. I was nervous. It felt like I was getting ready for a roller coaster ride and I remembered I really don’t like roller coasters.
“Arms in position three. Get up off your seat,” shouted Mantas. “Pedal, pedal, pedal.” What, you want me to lift my ass off this seat? No way.
“Turn the resistance up. Now sit for four counts and up for four,” shouted Mantas. I put pedal to the metal. I upped my game and my ass. It didn’t last too long. Down I plopped. My legs kept spinning.
“Up two. Down two. Up four. Down four. Up eight. Down eight,” shouted Mantas. I huffed and puffed. I lifted my ass for a count of two and plopped it down again. My legs kept spinning.
Keep Breathing
Still standing after a 45-minute ride.
“We’re fifteen minutes in. You’re all doing great,” shouted Mantas. “Breathe in. Breathe out. Know that you are doing this for yourself. You’re feeling it in your soul,” inspired Mantas. It was close quarters. The sweat was only a third full. Two thirds more to go. Will I pull it off, I mean pedal off?
I reached for my water bottle to take a gulp. I breathed in, hoping that I wasn’t breathing in everyone else’s CO2. I breathed out. It was hot. It was really hot. Thirty minutes to go. How much longer? Would I be able to return the water bottle to its rightful holder? Yes, I did it.
“Sit up straight and grab your 2-lb. weights,” shouted Mantas. Can I grab the weights and keep pedaling? Yes, I did it.
“Left arm four counts. Right arm four counts. Right arm up for four. Left arm up for four. Hold both arms up for four,” shouted Mantas as he encouraged us to work our upper body. “Now put the weights back in the holder.” Would I be able to put the weights behind me and keep on spinning? Yes, I did it.
“We’re done,” shouted Mantas. He turned up the lights and invited us to stretch our legs. I couldn’t believe I had made it through the last 30 minutes. But would I be able to walk out the door. Yes, I did it. It felt good to be back on solid ground.
Try A Class
For those who want to try SoulCycle during your life after 50, I recommend it for a cardio workout. However, if you have any kind of heart condition, check with your doctor first. At around $30 per session and $3 to rent shoes, it’s not a cheap ride. First-timers receive a special $20 rate. Founders Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler opened their first studio on New York’s Upper West Side in 2006. Since then SoulCycle has opened 25 locations nationwide, with plans to open 50-60 studios worldwide by 2015.
I left the SoulCycle studio with an intense feeling of accomplishment. Maybe the SoulCycle spirit does really work to “let loose and empower one’s strength beyond the studio walls.”
Fast Forward To Sunday
“Help,” I cried to my boyfriend L. “I hope I can get my body out of bed. That was some ride yesterday. Think I’ll spend the rest of the day in my bathtub filled with Epsom salts.”
Judi
Congratulations, Judy! That sounded very difficult. I’ll stick to my jogging, I think. It’s free
Allison, thanks for your note. Jogging is great exercise and likely a lot less stressful.
You never cease to amaze me. I sent this post to my two best friends who know would love this class! I don’t think I could do it, but it sounds awesome.
I think you are an amazing person and I feel so honored to call you my friend. Please keep me in your loop – you always hear of such amazing things. Big hugs for this and a virtual high five! xo
Cathy, you are so sweet. Hope your friends try it out. Tell them to dress lightly. It gets very warm in the SoulCycle studio.
Way to go, Judy! Super-impressed! You had me smiling the entire time 🙂
Thanks Kim. Once I got over the fear I was actually excited.
Good for you! I tried one class, thought I was going to either throw up or pass out, and never went back. Sticking to tennis!
Lois, I think you either love it or hate it. I would have preferred different music.
I’ve heard about SoulCycle and wondered if I could do it, and also wondered if it was only for the younger crowd. Didn’t want to be the only boomer in the class. Kudos to you for giving it a go! I know you mentioned heart issues, but do you think it’d be alright for someone like me with a bad back?
Thanks Kate. I’d hold off if you have a bad back. The cycling really works your core and the positioning during the session might not be best if your back is hurting. I also do yoga which is good for stretching and strength building. But check with your doctor first.
Great job! It sounds a bit too intense for me but I am interested in trying spinning. Maybe someone will start a spinning for boomers studio.
Thanks Kay. It would be a great idea to have a lower intensity spinning class for boomers.