Topic:

SoulCycle

Outline:

1. Ask class question
2. Discuss what SoulCycle is
   1. Who founded it, when, where
   2. What a typical class is like
   3. What makes it so appealing
3. Celebrities that love SoulCycle
4. My experience
   1. First class experience with my sister
5. Tips & Conclusion

Write Up:

How many of you have ever heard of SoulCyle?

If you haven’t, SoulCycle is a New-York based fitness company that has basically re-invented indoor cycling. It was founded in 2006 by Elizabeth Cutler, Julie Rice and Ruth Zukerman. SoulCycle has become incredibly successful, to the point where it’s members have been described as obsessed and cult-like. It’s unlike typical indoor biking because every workout session is marketed as a dance party on a bike. It’s set in a dark room with blasting music, and riders spend most of their time doing choreography like push-ups on the handlebars or “tap backs” designed to work your core. A lot of classes include candles too which really makes the experience more like a sweaty nightclub than a standard workout. SoulCycle is also extremely popular because in just 45 minutes, you can burn up to 700 calories. Each session starts with a warm up, a high-intensity cardio and strength session, and a cool down. Each class also includes a short session using free weights. As of 2016, SoulCycle has opened 85 locations in the United States and offers classes to all age groups with approximately 20,000 people riding at SoulCycle every week and currently has about 440,000 active riders. The company operates on a pay-by-class model and does not offer memberships, and a class is typically around $35. SoulCycle also attracts many celebrities to its Los Angeles locations, for example, Demi Lovato, Vanessa Hudgens, David Beckham, and Oprah.

My experience: I have been to SoulCycle a total of 3 times in my life. The very first time I went was about 2 years ago with my older sister, who is very into trendy and expensive workouts like this one. I didn’t know what to expect other than knowing I’ll be pedaling on a stationary bike for a very long time with a large intimidating group of strangers. Before the class started, no one told me you have to adjust just about everything on the bike to your preference, so I struggled to figure that out alone while the rest of the class all robotically knew exactly what they were doing. Another thing I didn’t know was that your shoes are clipped into the bike, which made me feel quite trapped. So the class started, which meant the lights turn off and the music went on, the instructor began explaining basic instructions along with words and phrases of intense inspiration. As I said earlier, the class incorporates things like handlebar push-ups and “taps backs” while you’re on the bike, also something I did not know going in. I have never felt more lost, out of place, and confused in my life than in my first SoulCycle class. While everyone was simultaneously going up and down on their bikes, I was frantically moving my head from side to side trying to pick up on the movements everyone else seemed to have memorized. And then, to make things worse, my left shoe popped out of its slot in the bike, I knocked over my cap-less water bottle on the ground next to me, and my towel, the one they give you which is supposed to sit on your handlebars, fell to the floor. This all increased my panic mode by a good 34% as I tried to re-pop my shoe into the bike and ignore the other things. It was the slowest and kind of most dreadful 45 minutes of my life but I powered through and somehow survived. After the class was over, I realized 2 things; 1, I was incredibly out of shape, and 2, I don’t think SoulCycle is for me. I did go back another two times in my life, hoping I would get the hang of it or magically become obsessed, but neither of those things happened. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not for you! In terms of audience we are all ideal candidates to become SoulCycle cyclists so I encourage you all to sign up for a class at one point in your life because it’s quite an experience.

And for your first class here are some tips: 1, Come prepared (mentally and physically) 2, Show up early so you can adjust your bike 3, Be ready to sweat a lot and 4 Be open-minded and have fun!

Thank you.

Sources:

https://www.soul-cycle.com/about/find-your-soul/

https://www.beamly.com/tv-film/10-celebrities-obsessed-soulcycle

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SoulCycle

I thought Rendell’s chapter Ocean of Air said very interesting things about the relationship of the individual and team. For example, he said on page 10, “American football has its offensive linemen and soccer its midfield stoppers, but they are their team-mates equals in victory or defeat.” Although cycling is an individual sport, it succeeds through the work of a team, which is true in many aspects of life. Thinking back on a time I belonged to a particular community or team, I think of when I played soccer in high school. It’s an interesting experience because you want to be the best you can be on an individual level, be a fast runner, have stamina, ball control, etc., however, you really can’t win the game without the help from others. I can’t think of a specific time when I’ve sacrificed my own benefit in order to help the group, but I’m sure it has happened many times. Just in terms of who you pass the ball to, when you pass the ball, where you pass the ball, it all determines the future outcome, which typically means setting someone else up or setting yourself up. Either way, you can’t achieve success without the help from others and I think that’s a very valuable life lesson to live by.

1. Tim Knoll, BMX rider; when gymnastics meets BMX http://www.redbull.com/en/bike/stories/1331769920267/tim-knoll-pulls-crazy-bike-stunts-in-berlin-red-bull
   • How did the two hobbies meet?
   • Is it therapeutic?
   • What is his biking/BMX background?
2. 560-Lb Man Biking Across US to Save His Marriage http://www.newser.com/story/210246/560-lb-man-biking-across-us-to-save-his-marriage.html and http://www.fatguyacrossamerica.com/my-story/
   • Why bike riding? Why not personal trainer or other method of exercise?
   • Was he successful?
   • Did he make it across the US?
3. Soul cycle;  https://www.soul-cycle.com
   • What is it?
   • Why is it so popular/trendy?
   • My personal experiences
   • Celebrity/other people’s opinions of soul cycle

1) On page 88 in David Bryne’s chapter “Istanbul,” he talks about bike riding to a beautiful and popular tourist attraction called the Topkapi Palace. Bryne doesn’t give us any more information about the Topkapi Palace other than the fact it is a tourist attraction. However, upon googling it, the Topkapi Palace is a large palace in Istanbul and was one of the major residences of the Ottoman sultans for almost 400 years of their 624-year reign. As well as a royal residence, the palace was a setting for state occasions and royal entertainments. It is now a museum and as such a major tourist attraction. It also contains important relics of the Muslim world, including Muhammed’s cloak and sword.

2) Upon reading Byrne’s chapter, I was saddening to hear his account of all the beautiful unique architecture being replaced with identical bland grey apartment buildings. I did appreciate Bryne’s attempt to see the beauty in the gentrification of neighbors by saying the residents might feel empowered by the new developments because they are leaving their past behind and are no longer “peasants”. The concept of gentrification is something that I am not a fan of and unfortunately it happens all across the world. However, despite seeing the bland ugly buildings, I liked how Bryne was still able to bike around Istanbul and come across beautiful areas with beautiful art and eclectic neighborhoods.

I really enjoyed Nancy Duarte’s Ted Talk, The Secret Structure of Great Talks. I thought it had a very persuasive and gripping beginning and ending. I think the idea or concept to do a presentation on essentially helping others and teaching the skills to better express oneself and ones ideas to change the world is an amazing topic and I think it applies to all of life’s communication opportunities. A quote that stood out to me was, “The future isn’t a place that we go, it is a place that you get to create.” It’s true, our future depends on we are to do and how we are to do it. I also thought her unique critique and evaluation of some of the most popular speech’s in history gave great background to how people compose their ideas. At around 7:45 she discusses the idea of capturing resistance which means to reach those that are unreachable and turn resistance into acceptance. Talk about what they will resist and then speak to a solution, which is a very simple but great tip for giving presentations. Overall, I found Nancy’s speech to be very information and also inspiring. As someone who is not the best at public speaking, I find that learning about how to present yourself and ideas well can really have a positive impact on your life.