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Keep up with new Los Angeles resident, Dave Giglio, on his health adventures (and misadventures) in the so-called capital of clean living, Los Angeles.
There's a new breed of cycling studios sweeping big US cities. Studios where your instructor is a fitness guru, DJ, and lighting director all in one.
In health-obsessed Los Angeles, these new-age indoor cycling studios can be found popping up on every block, promising a life-changing workout for only $30 a ride (parking not included).
Aura Cycle, Cycle House, Kinetic Cycle, Fly Wheel, and, at the top of the food chain, SoulCycle - the studio that started it all - make up the LA cycling kingdom. The differences are subtle, but there's no dispute amongst riders: SoulCycle is in a league of its own.
It’s 7:00 in the morning and I’m surrounded by the crème-de-la-crème of Hollywood. Actors, or people who I imagine to be actors, hit the bikes with their publicists and managers, while business types channel their best Lance Armstrong.
Roarke comes on the mic and his voice transcends the precisely timed remixed Lorde track that oozes through the speakers. The room is nearly pitch black except I can just make out my reflection because of the light from the candles and disco balls. I’m peddling so hard my legs feel they could give out at any second - but it doesn’t stop me from breaking down into bicycle push-ups as the ‘pack’ climbs another hill.
Roarke reminds us why we came in the first place, and his voice at this point is more motivational speaker/spiritual leader than fitness instructor and by the end of class a community has formed – our pack is screaming, peddling, dripping, praying and hair flipping along to the beat in perfect coordination.
After class, I interview a few of my fellow riders to find out what’s attracted them to SoulCycle. The answer was unanimous: the energy. Cayla, a SoulCycle regular said, “It’s unlike anything else – it doesn’t even compare to a spin class at a gym. You can feel the energy from your fellow riders and the whole thing becomes this self-fulfilling prophecy.” And she’s right.
So while indoor cycling is not a new idea, it seems the SoulCycle community of riders is unique, creating what is undoubtedly the most fun indoor cycling workout experience. And at a 500-calorie burn per session, we say it’s worth the ride.
When will the SoulCycle-esque craze hit north of the border? Place your bets in the comments below.
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Dave Giglio is a Los Angeles based digital media marketer to the stars but in a past-life, he was a marathon running, west coast trail hiking, whistler boarding, paleo blogging Vancouverite. Keep up with Dave as he transitions to life in Hollywood on Instagram.
