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