Decided to try this location out and it wasn't bad! Like some SoulCycle studios, this location has lockers both upstairs and downstairs. If you're planning on showering after class, I suggest a locker downstairs with their showers. Small con is that the locker area downstairs is a bit narrow. They have a few showers (~4), with shower towels and all the necessary toiletries. The spin studio layout itself is a bit interesting, given the walls and mirrors, but not the worst studio I've been to. The facilities here were clean and well managed, and the staff were kind and helpful in setting up my bike. I took a class here with instructor Luke Deni for a Kelly Clarkson x Taylor Swift x Olivia Rodrigo themed ride and it was a great time! I like that he told fun stories as we're riding to take our minds off the exercise. Overall, I still prefer the SoulCycle NoMad location, which is nearby this 19th St location and has a much bigger shower area. I'd likely come back if there was a themed ride I was interested in! read more

See all

SoulCycle delivers an incredible experience with amazing classes and instructors. Highly recommend Sammy-- his classes are amazing. They really excel at creating a safe and supportive environment where riders can push themselves while still going at their own pace, which is key to making every class enjoyable. The studio and bikes are well-maintained, showing the attention to detail they put into the space. The front desk staff is always friendly and welcoming, and the cleanliness of the studio is impressive. Whether you're new to indoor cycling or a seasoned rider, SoulCycle offers a great balance of challenge and community. read more

SoulCycle 19th - Cycling Classes Near Me - New York, New York

This is definitely my favorite SoulCycle location! I love how this location has plenty of lockers both upstairs and downstairs. Also the large mirror by the stairs is perfect for those mirror pics after your ride. Instructors here are always great, but my faves are Cam, Maddison, Lo, and Victoria. I'm a big fan of all the themed rides here, especially the EDM rides! Definitely recommend buying your own shoes if you're serious about riding, otherwise the rental fee adds up quickly. read more

I haven't been to soul cycle before so I wanted to give it a try as it's very popular and literally everywhere. I walk into the establishment and it is bumping with music and people moving in all directions. I check in with desk, they run down the place and I sign a waiver and I'm pretty much an on my own. The locker space is cramped with coming and going people. Finally get in with my best friend who ran a bit late and we jump on our bikes and class goes on full speed ahead. The space is kinda tight from what I'm use to in cycling studios, where I feel more room. I felt like I was on top of people somewhat and slightly touched my neighbor while doing the choreography. Me and my friend who have taken classes didn't think it was beginner friendly as things weren't explained and movements moved very quickly. Also, it may be a soul cycle thing but the instructor wasn't even on the bike which was weird and have someone else there but instructed the class nonetheless and kept it going with the music. The arm workouts where good but was scared it might hit someone due to it being so close. Afterwards, it was chaos again trying to get our belongings and my locker wasn't able to open even after putting my code. Luckily the lady in the front gave me the key to open the locker, could have been a common malfunction. Overall, it was great sweat and intense if you like to be with 60 people in close proximity. I would honesty like a smaller cass from what I'm use to due to anxiety reasons. Thanks for the experience and great morning workout! read more

SoulCycle 19th - Entrance - Cycling Classes Near Me - New York, New York

Definitely one of my favorite soulcycle studios because it's less packed. You'll probably be able to find a class that is less than 50% full, and it's so much more enjoyable that way because 1) the studio won't be hot AF with all the body heat, 2) you don't have to wait much for showers, and 3) it's beginner friendly if you bring a guest. But... You'll definitely miss out on the sense of community when you see everyone pedaling to the beat in a full class. read more

instructor was extremely talkative if you're into that. very friendly staff but they don't tell you half the things you need to know to take the class. i had no idea how to lock my shoes into the bike, also they whipped out weights in the middle of class and it took me like five minutes to realize that they are attached to the back of the bike lol. would've enjoyed the class more if i knew what i was doing prob read more

Another great SoulCycle studio! Super clean, lots of locker and shower space. The instructors are great and the classes are always a fun, cardio heavy workout. read more

SoulCycle 19th - Cycling Classes Near Me - New York, New York

I came back to soul cycle after years of not being near one. I was excited to pop in during a long lunch break and that quickly disappeared after being repeatedly sassed by the guy at the front desk. I went to change my bike a bit after bc I didn't remember the layout of room and I guess my questions annoyed him because I got a few eye rolls too. No one asked me if I needed help setting up my bike. Luckily I did not but was surprised no one was even in the room to help. I had been to this location pre-covid and post covid it is just depressing. Every stair on way down to locker room was filthy and dusty, leftover scraps of lint under every bench and I guess post covid they only supply shower basics and hair ties. There was a deodorant they sell that i went to try but it was empty. So much for that. The only positive I can note is the class itself. The instructor had a great presence and the class was challenging. He asked at the beginning of the class if it was anyone's first which it was not but still gave cues when he saw people might of been confused. I paid over $40 with the shoe rental to be treated poorly by a 20 year old at front desk and workout in a dirty facility. Since that class I've hit up cyclebar, swerve and aarmy and had significantly better experiences. I had always heard the ongoing jokes that SC are elitist and treat people badly but this was my first time ever having that experience. Maybe i'll try a different studio in the future, but probably not. read more

First time at this location! It's exactly like all other Soul locations: clean, well-maintained, friendly staff, and grapefruit scented. It's close tot he nearby Barry's location and I love being able to hop over from studios nearby to double up on workouts. The studio is the same size as all others, and as usual, they like to keep the rooms at a balmy temperature to keep you sweating. I love the workout however, and Soul always delivers. This one is in a great location too, so I highly recommend! read more

SoulCycle 19th - Cycling Classes Near Me - New York, New York

Of all the SC studios I've been to, this one is my fave. 19th and NoMad have the best facilities, but this one is right near Union Square so more convenient for me. As for the instructor, I had MANTAS and he rocks. Here are my thoughts on him and a few other instructors I've had in case they rotate locations: MANTAS is my favorite SC instructor so far! He's challenging and pushes hard on the athleticism. But more than that, he's motivating, has diverse music taste, and makes class FUN. Work hard and leave class happy you came! MAX taught a themed Justin Bieber vs Justin Timberlake class. Not hard but so fun. He does a lot of themed rides so check him out if you love pop tunes! LAURIE challenges you physically, but more so mentally! She pushes every person to BE MORE to themselves and to the class. Homegirl is putting the soul in SoulCycle. STACEY's class to me was medium in difficulty with little focus on resistance. She didn't ride on the bike (no, she didn't come from a class before). But the energy from her and her front row (cat calls, towels waving, etc) is HIGH. AKIN has a coaching spirit of getting you on beat in the saddle, out of the bike, and then adding in arms. I don't think he's bootcamp-y nor do I think his riders are elitist. Talk to him after class; he's a nice dude! However, his style is NOT for everyone. It's good for advanced riders but for beginner/intermediate, you'll be in the saddle most of your ride. KARYN had music that I wasn't vibing with on that day. I can't recall a single top 40 or hip hop song which hasn't happened before. But that aside, her class is fierce and she has a GREAT sense of the room more than any instructor I've seen. JENNY is a visiting instructor from SF and I absolutely loved her. She'd be my #2 fave after Mantas. She's got great music (TSwift to Jay-Z), great energy, and her end song of "Give Me Love" by Ed Sheeran just slayed. So yas kween YASSSS, I love 19th St SOUL! x3 read more

One class and I've joined the SoulCycle revolution. I get it now. This is where all the beautiful rich people of NY go to workout. This is where you can wear all your lululemon and athleta and sweaty betty and no one would blink an eye. This is where men with beautiful hair hang out. This is where you go when you want to sweat. If you like to spin, you like good energy, you like a clean environment, you like good music, you like good looking people, this is the place to be. Your wallet will be a lot lighter, but so will you. WIN WIN. 4 stars because in the Flatiron location, I thought the studio was a bit small and cramped. Nonetheless, I had a great workout. Also - shoes, toiletries, water, gum, hairbands, hand lotions from byredo - all provided. read more

"Congrats! Your SOUL is confirmed." That is actually the e-mail they send you when you book a class at SoulCycle. Now I'm not saying that I necessarily agree with modern Judaism,* which generally posits that the soul is believed to be given by God to a person with their first breath...but I do doubt that your life, your essence of being, your "I", is only established once you book a $35 spinning class.** Then again, [full disclosure] I must admit that I signed up for a free trial session. Maybe you have to pay the full freight to truly authenticate your soul. I don't know. I do know that many, many of my friends swear by SoulCycle, and a free chance to see what it was all about was tempting enough that I got ready to "FIND MY SOUL*** on bike 51 with Ariel!" In the process of finding my soul (which I had already thought was confirmed...very confusing), here are five things I want to tell you: 1. Everyone here at 19th Street is very friendly, and wants you to have a great time. 2. This is a great workout. It takes about 10 minutes to get the rhythm down, but by the time I left I was insanely sweaty, and my ass and legs hurt for days. That can be good or bad, depending on how you feel about it. 3. I feel as though when they designed this 19th Street SoulCycle studio, they didn't take the lazy, out-of-shape people (of which I am foremost) into account. Having to walk downstairs to the locker room after this workout was pretty rough. I nearly fell down and killed myself. Be careful, fellow out-of-shape folk. 4. If you are an idiot, as I am, then you might accidentally walk into the ladies locker room upon leaving the mens locker room because you are just walking around a corner and you keep going. Don't do that. Especially not if some of your female co-workers were in the class as well, because then you will be too embarrassed to go to work for a week (even if you didn't see anything. I swear I didn't see anything). Be careful, fellow idiots. 5. SoulCycle is not for everyone. More to the point, SoulCycle is not for me. I think I knew that going in, but sometimes you have to try things anyway, just to make sure. That said, I'm not a workout class kind of guy. I prefer run after a ball, or do a few pushups in the quiet of my own home. I would probably go if they paid me $35 per class, but it turns out they want ME to pay THEM. And that's not as good a deal. But it might be for you, so give it a shot. ____________ *I'm an odd, Buddhist/Jew hybrid by heritage, and an agnostic (read: skeptic/coward) by belief. **To be fair, however, I'm what some call a "Doubting Thomas." ***Capitalization was theirs. read more

I didn't make time for much outside of work during a recent quick trip to NY, but I can always find time for SoulCycle. I was mid flight when the booking window opened up, but my colleague was nice enough to book a class for 4 of us. It's hard enough to get into a SoulCycle class when I"m booking for just myself (hence why crazy businesses like this* exist!) so I was impressed when she managed to get 4 bikes next to each other for an 8:30am class! My colleague mentioned she wasn't familiar with the instructor, but he looked like he'd be good from his profile. Since I've only had 5 star instructors at SoulCyle figured he'd be good. When I first showed up at Ben's class I was a bit nervous to see that the class was half full. I rarely see an empty bike in SoulCycle classes even at the ungodly hour of 6am. I figured he was just new and prepared to be wow'd. While Ben was better than most spinning instructors I've had outside of SoulCycle I can't say I was wow'd. He played pretty good music and gave clear instruction. I FINALLY got the hang of SoulCycle's version of pushups thanks to his description. However, he lacked the crazy energy that sets SoulCycle apart from other spinning studios. Again, perhaps he's just new and that that energy will come with time. In the meantime, I'd pay $20 for a class with Ben...but not worth the price of a SoulCycle NY class ($34 for 45 minutes!). The actual studio isn't much different than I've experienced elsewhere. They pay you into the spinning room like sardines and the locker area is small so you'll likely bump elbows with another sweaty (ew) visitor. I did notice they are only blocks away from the 18th street location so business must be better for other classes. * http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/18/style/for-that-door-to-treadmill-service.html?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share&_r=0 read more

My first time at this studio-- I was so excited to try it out! Within the first minute or so of class I realized my mask was not the right fabric for heavy breathing and went out to ask the front desk if they had a disposable I could use. I had barely stepped out of the door of the classroom when the manager stopped me and told me I could not go back to class now that I'd left. Apparently that is a policy-- so be warned, nobody will tell you about it in advance. (They claim it is written on a sign somewhere in the studio but for the life of me I never saw it. Something this important should be front and center, don't you think-- especially for brand new people to the studio?) And someone please explain to me the logic of not letting someone return to a classroom they literally just stepped out of. read more

I never understood the idea of having two soul cycles literally next to each other one on 18th and one on 19th street. Perhaps USQ is just that busy of any area. At any rate this location is nice, split level with basement locker rooms. There are tons of lockers. Like tons. I was sad that these lockers didn't have the USB ports that the other locations had but probably because there are so many damn lockers. Locker room is big, 4 showers, not crowded and tight like some other locations. read more

I've been coming to this Soul Cycle for a few years now, and though it's still not my favorite location, it's a lot better since the renovation downstairs. Particularly, there are more men's showers and the buggy electronic combo lockers have been replaced with a more analog version that solves the problem of plugging in the wrong code and having no access to your stuff. It was very annoying, and hopefully they install these at all their studios. A big studio space, but you still have to squeeze past men and women in the communal locker area downstairs. When you're dripping sweat from 45 minutes of tap backs, it's less than ideal, but I suppose there's not much you can do. read more

My wife had a coupon for a free class to Soul Cycle and I went today. First of all, it is a good workout and people L O V E this Soul Cycle thing. The place is clean, staff is courteous and professional, the bathrooms and lockers are top notch. It's a great workout and people have a great time So why the low review? The class takes place in a darkened, crowded, airless room. If you want to get in touch with the living condition of immigrants in old New York, this will help you understand their plight- packed cheek to cheek with strangers (many of whom have recently eaten beans and cabbage), becoming ever more sweaty with each passing moment.... You do want to be sure to be up to date on immunizations, because you are breathing in everyone's recycled germs. And it would be wise to ask your classmates if they have been infected with Ebola virus recently My least favorite part was the music: it was way too loud and it included Alanis Morissette. Who included that horrible song You Outta Know in a cycling workout I don't know. She is the only Canadian who sings worse than Bieber! Listen friends- Alanis Morisette is pure torture. I thought the CIA had abducted me and sent me to Guantanomo, but then I looked around and saw all the Lululemon and realized that no one in black site prisons wears expensive yoga pants. Soul Cycle is cool, it's a blast, but if you are claustrophobic or are concerned about your hearing , I would just get a bike and go outside read more

This class looks like Miley Cyrus threw up all over it. Neon headbands, disco lights, and girls with abs tighter than China's monetary policy. It was about two inches from becoming a fabulous rehash of Eric Prydz's Call On Me music video, and this British NYC-newbie is now obsessed. The clean white decor of the lobby exudes class, but the smiling, helpful faces behind reception made even sweaty messes like myself feel more than welcome. My class was led by pink-baseball-cap clad Gunner - who is inspirational - and the class, despite being intensely challenging and an amazing work out, was easy to follow and fun. Yes, fun - not often the words fun and excruciating pain turn up in the same sentence is it? So what does your $35 (ish) get you? Entrance to the class, access to the changing / showering facilities (towel provided), bike shoes (for your first time only I believe - then you must pay the piper a small fee each time after that), use of the digital lockers and a towel to mop your heaving brow in the class. Every time you don't go to this class, a kitten dies. Save the kittens. read more

Prob my favorite SoulCycle location - it's spacious and well designed, with lockers both upstairs and downstairs. The staff are always on point and although it's great to be front and center, there really isn't a bad seat in the house with this studio's set up. Just beware the Dough donut shop next door - it's torture to walk past it!! Avoid any temptation to regain all the calories you've burned in SC by heading towards 5th Ave instead of 6th. Stay strong ;) read more

Wow, where are all my ravers at?! If you like the EDM scene and want to shred some calories, this place is definitely for you. I've been to multiple cycling studios prior to SoulCycle (Flywheel, Monster, Peloton) and I'd say I enjoy SC the most because of the music and exercises. Let me tell you, time flies by in the classes here at SC and the music usually goes really well with the exercises that the instructor makes you do. I never get bored here. The studio here is clean and spacious. Cycling shoe rental is $3. People seem nice enough. Some of the things I've noticed that threw me off and prevented me from rating SC five stars was that: 1) Bikes - for some reason the bikes here seem uncomfortable or do not seem to adjust to my body/height correctly. I've went to SC twice and had the staff adjust it for me. Feels like it's too far at times. Not sure. I never had a problem with feeling uncomfortable at bikes from Monster or Peloton. 2) Air - they don't blast the AC here enough. Both times I've been here I felt stuffy or couldn't breathe well. 3) Stretching - some of the stretching they do is kind of unsafe or dangerous, in the sense that you could accidentally fall or hurt yourself. You're basically stretching on the bikes and balancing at the end. read more

Might be my favorite studio including the new one in San Jose, CA! Workers are super friendly and welcoming. The layout of this place is very bright and spacious! Unlike the horrific experience I had at the Union Square location, this one was how it should be like every other SoulCycle :) Took Francis on last Thursday and he was so motivating and great. Really kept everyones energy up! read more

I absolutely adore the 19th street SC location! They are more laid back than the SC in Union Square and you don't have to worry about losing your bike if you don't sign in within 10 mins prior to class. This location is clean and the locker rooms are large (co-ed). I go to several SC locations and like to try different instructors. Some instructors are fantastic and others are just okay. I have never had a "bad" class at any SC location. I bring my own water and I own my own shoes- which makes the classes a little more affordable. read more

If you think you know all about spin from attending classes at your gym, think again. SoulCycle takes it to another level with its fun and engaging classes. Let's be honest, everyone leads a busy life, SoulCycle understands that. One can easily be in and out in under an hour and still have a really challenging, satisfying, effective workout. Oh, and just so that we are all on the same page, this is the REAL (sweat) bucket challenge! read more

Cycling love, love, love! I'm usually at the Culver City or Pasadena location in Southern California, but when I travel for work Soul Cycle is great! Check it out! ENJOY! read more

I went to my first soulcycle class tonight. My instructor was Erin. The class was AMAZING and so was the energy! I will definitely be returning, and I highly recommend this studio to anyone in the city looking for a high intensity, effective workout. Make sure you attend Erin's class! read more

Really enjoyable experience here, and a great work out! This wasn't my first time at SoulCycle but it was my first time at this location. I let the staff know and they were super friendly. Someone took the time to give me a tour of the space (quite spacious & clean!), and someone else helped me adjust my bike to my body. The ladies at the front desk were definitely helpful! Then there was my spin instructor, Sunny. Great energy and a really positive, motivational speaker! The music was fun and uplifting as well! Can't wait to go back! read more

Ladies, have you had problems with your feet slipping off the pedal during spin classes at your local gym or feet aching afterwards? You will not have to worry about these problems at Soul Cycle. This was my first time here and I absolutely loved it. The staffs are extremely friendly and welcoming. Lauren welcomed us with a tour and showed us how to attach our shoes to the pedal. As for the class, the lights and music were spot on. We had our class with Emma who was super energetic and awesome. We were sweating like pigs for the whole 45 minutes. These classes are worth every penny you spend as you get a full body workout. I will definitely be going back. read more

From start to finish I had a fantastic experience as a first timer at this club. Friendly doesn't begin to describe the staff - I felt treated like royalty! Which is very helpful when you are nervous about keeping up in the studio. Thank you JACKIE at the front desk, APRIL in the studio, and JACKIE again after. It's your service that prompted this review, but/and the workout itself and the instructor were top quality. I wanted to hug everyone after. That's a lot, coming from a cynic! THANK YOU SOUL CYCLE 19TH STREET!!!!!!! (oh - and all the shower amenities and lockers were brilliant) read more

Tough...challenging....inspiring....challenging. I wiped out, yes it's possible, but got back up. Take a few classes, practice and take your time learning to moves. I went by myself, intimated yes, but that went out the window as soon as I walked in. They couldn't be nice, more welcoming and helpful with everything from showing me around to how to set up my bike and get clipped in. And bring clothes to change/shower or plan on going home to do so cause you will sweat no matter your experience level. read more

Seriously the best front desk staff ever! I was running late to a class (thanks MTA!) and they were extremely sweet about it and literally told me to drop my bags and run! They helped me rush in by taking my stuff putting it into a locker for me and got me set up quickly on my bike so that I could get my ride on! Mantas is amazing! His music was extremely upbeat and made me want to burn,burn, burn throughout the whole time. Definitely feeling it today! This location will definitely be my new Soul Cycle location. Sorry FlyWheel, you have been dumped! read more

Studio was dirty every time i go i have to clean my own bike because its dirty, they keep the studio hotter then other places.

I took my first soul cycle class here a few weeks ago. Samantha Jade was my instructor and she was phenomenal. It's been by far my favorite spin class, she was informative, motivating, and the music was kick ass. I plan to return when she's teaching next! read more

Upon entering the shiny white space of Soul Cycle 19th, I was greeted with no less than 6 smiling faces, all excited I was a first timer, gushing to me that I would have "a blast." Once my locker was produced by a boy with a behind carved from marble, I was given special shoes that I was told would "keep me on the bike." Uhh, I was going to be trapped on the bike? I came pretty prepared for being a 37 year old mom of 2 with bulging hips and a pair of tits that graze my middle ribs: lululemon leggings (last season) and a lululemon dual-colored strappy sports bra (this season). I was feeling confident in my outfit, that is, until the 5 different college girl groups came in. I couldn't understand it - was there a tour bus waiting outside? They were all the same age, with the same perky ponytail and perky boobs and lululemon tanks and leggings. My sports bra was clearly WRONG and too revealing as these girls all donned the current long tank top with attached bra inside. Swift glances at my aging mid-drift made my fashion faux pas quite clear. They all wore a different loose tank with their college emblem emblazoned on it over their primary lululemon tank/bras. IU, UVA, UM, UP, OSU (I almost went over to the UM one to bond over our beloved alma maters when a swift mid-drift glance told me to not even think about it). After Marble Boy trapped me into bike #30 and showed me the 3 arm positions the instructor would use, I surveyed my surroundings. A dark, warm, intimate club like vibe. Lights low, music sexy and thumping. I had made it quite clear that I required a bike in the back. Well, I wasn't in the back, but on the side, in the lane with no other bikes around mine. Behind me to my right, on a raised platform, were the undesirables: older, fatter, more out of shape than I. I flashed them a winning smile before class started to show them how nice I was before I was about to obliterate them with my speed and slick moves. Class starts. Immediately I realize I am totally out of my league, as if I skipped high school and went from grade school straight to college. I certainly should have taken a basic spin class before attempting this Mt. Everest of a physical experience. Everytime the instructor said to get up and into 3rd position and out of Saddle, I almost lifted the whole bike and toppled over, both knees jerking and cracking out of the lower legs, forgetting that my feet are trapped into the pedals. And that is pretty much how it went for the whole class: my brain totally nailed it - the instructions, the beat, the concept, but my body did not get the memo. Toward the beginning of class, the instructor comes over to me and makes some indecipherable arm motions, which he later explained to mean legs in, core back, elbows in, knees up, but to me just looked like the guy in Airplane! bringing in the planes on the runway. If that wasn't enough, halfway through class he told the undesirables, myself now shamefully included, to sit down if we "can't find the beat and just pedal." "I'm a dancer!" I wanted to shout. "I am telling my legs to move faster and they are just not listening! It's not my fault!" Then he started preaching about rising higher and higher in our personal lives. UM, OSU, and IU in the front were soo with him, right in time. Then the music slows, and for some reason the instructor comes over to me and turns my resistance dial all the way to the right, looks me in the eye, says "peanut butter," and walks away. All I knew is now my bike had stopped, and I could no longer ride. So what was I supposed to do, just sit there while UM's ponytail rose and fell in perfect time to "Shoop?" Or sneakily turn the dial back down to where I could move the pedals, which was basically all the way to the left. As Fatty to my right was destroying my self-esteem in perfect timing, I pretended to wipe my sweat while turning the dial to the left. And there I left it for the remainder of class. At the end of class we were told to unclick ourselves from the traps on the pedals so we can stretch our legs on the bike. No amount of heel turning would do it, so after several embarrassing foot smashes I just unstrapped the velcro of the shoe, took my feet out, and left the shoes trapped in. Ha! Hacked the system. I loved it. I knew the whole time that this was the kind of thing of which, with just a million dollars and a lot of time, I could be queen. I could see myself, in the distant future, hitting every damn beat with the right foot at the right time, and even sitting next to UM and OSU and Fatty... well, maybe not next to them but at least right behind them. After class, I hit the showers. This shower had more amenities than a 5 star hotel. I shampooed, conditioned, washed my face with soap that was actually made for your face, shaved my legs with real shaving cream and a new razor, and applied body cream. My personal hygiene would take a turn for the better if I keep this up. read more

typical soul cycle class. not a fan of soul cycle in general but its ok. wish there were better locker rooms, cleaner and more spacious. read more

Okay. What? A place like this exists? Yeah. Sure I've seen the countless "Soul Cycle" Instagram posts and I was the obvious skeptic. A place just for cycling? psshh. Whatever. I never tried CrossFit and so I wasn't about to try Soul Cycle. Now that I moved back to NYC and there are ENDLESS workout possibilities in this glorious city, I decided to...well, try every single one of them of course! Someone suggested I "Soul". I'm like WTF does that even mean? She advised me "Be careful. Once you Soul, it's like a cult". I'm like oh that makes me want to go even more now (not). One rainy morning, I didn't feel like going to a "gym". I was like hmm what options are there? I had just taken a kickboxing class days before and I wanted to try something new. Girlfriends of mine had Instagrammed in the morning a picture of them after "Soul" so... I decided well, today is going to be the day that I try this "experience". I am subletting in FiDi so this location wasn't exactly the closest but it had the time slot available that I wanted so I decided to make the trek. I arrived to this magnificently modern studio and was given shoes. I already started laughing to myself and the chuckles really started when I was informed that Soul Cycle is like my very own "dance party". Like come on, that sounds funny when you hear it out of someone else's mouth. I put my things in my locker (very convenient as they lock with your own 4 digit code) and was assisted in gearing up for a class. They taught me how to lock my feet into place and how to take them out of place and what each positions were. My instructor was Samantha J. I tend to take cycling classes from people who aren't exactly in the best shape. It doesn't make me think highly of cycling when I'm getting taught by an overweight instructor BUT Samantha J walked in and I was like wow. She has the perfect body and her voice sounds like a soothing jazz musician. We got right into things and ohhhhh it was a dance party! You "ride to the music" and it honestly makes you not feel like you are even working out. You bounce all around and do arms as well (pushups on the bike, weights which are strapped to your bike) and more. The room is dimly lit and the instructor plays with the lights (and candles) throughout the whole experience and you finish in the dark. It was truly the best time I have ever had working out (in my life). Yes. It's very hard to change a skeptical persons mind and in turn have their mind blown. That is what happened to me. I was blown away that such a workout existed and even more so that I didn't believe my very friends who raved about this experience. I totally understand why it is like a cult. $35 a class? Yeah. It can be pricy and the packages don't really take any amount off of that but it's definitely a place I will be returning to. I will likely join a regular gym and do a class maybe once a week or every 2 weeks as a treat. When I grow my own money tree, I can start going everyday. My friend joked when I raved about the experience and was all like "so is it a cult?" and I was like mmm sort of (jokingly). He asked me if I got a tattoo after the experience because I loved it so much. I laughed again. Then he goes "if you buy a 5-pack of classes I bet they include a free Soul Cycle tattoo and have their own in-house tattoo artists". Hilarious. ANYWAYS! Your first class is free and the staff will help guide you even if you have never cycled before in your life. The music is SPOT ON and the instructors are amazing. DEFINITELY check out Soul Cycle!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

Why does anyone go to Union Square when they can just go to 19th instead? The studio is asymmetrical, with extra banks to the left, and the hidden gem bike is #63 - you can kind of hide in the corner, but still see the instructor quite easily, plus you are right next to a mirror so that you can constantly attempt to correct your terrible form, ha ha. 19th features lockers both upstairs and downstairs, and plenty of room in the locker rooms. The showers have a divided partition so that you can hang your dry clothes and change into them afterward in privacy - much appreciated. But of course, the most important part of any studio is the instructors, and 19th St is a triple threat, with JOSHUA, LAUREN, and MANTAS. SoulCycle distinguishes itself from Flywheel in the quality of its instructors (and the music they select), and these three are all amazing. As much as I truly believe that you have to find the best instructors for you, that "best" is inherently subjective, and everyone is different, JOSHUA has to be objectively the best instructor ever. And he unquestionably selects the best music. Joshua has the most hilarious acerbic wit, which keeps you honest with yourself and keeps you invested in the class. He's also incredibly clear with his instructions. I struggled so much with the basic choreography before I took his class, but with him I was able to do these crazy complex sequences. I've never been at a loss for what I was supposed to be doing in his classes. His weight routines are no nonsense, and he pushes you hard. He keeps you out of the saddle, with the resistance thick and juicy. And the music! More than anything else, his classes elevated my expectations for what the music could be, and turned me into a complete SoulCycle snob. It's not just that he selects great songs, but that the choreography is absolutely perfect for the music, making the movements feel so inevitable and natural. Finally, Joshua totally hates when the room gets too hot - if you've ever felt like some of the instructors keep the heat up just to make people sweat so they feel like they're working, Joshua is for you. If you're looking for an instructor for your first class, or if you've tried a couple and you haven't gotten in to it yet, I strongly recommend Joshua. LAUREN is just pure love: love for you, love for others, love for the world. One way that SC differentiates itself from FlyWheel is that the instructors' patter includes talk about bettering yourself to help others, whereas in FW it's all about you-you-you, but Lauren really distinguishes herself even here. Multiple times in every class, she will ask you to push a little more so you can give a little more to the people around you or the important people in your life... and she will mean it, it's not just patter with her. It's so incredibly effective, because damn, being able to bring something more to the people you love is really what makes all the hard work worthwhile. PLUS, she loves the funk and the hip hop, and she is no joke with the athleticism on the bikes. She has you pushing hard, hard, hard on the resistance, out of the saddle, more than any other female instructor I've experienced. (When it's just sitting in the saddle spinning at 90rpms for 45 minutes, it's like, "what did I just spent $35 on?") Her weight routines are creative and incredibly challenging, with lots of core emphasis. Your whole body is engaged. She's sometimes a little subtle with directions, so I can imagine that if I had her for my first class I would have felt a little lost. BUT, once you're used to it, stuff like, "Just FEEL the corners of your bike", or a silent stretching series, are so cool. I feel so present and alive in her sessions. If you have been going to SC for a while and haven't had anyone light up your experience, I really recommend Lauren. MANTAS pushes the athleticism and precision, but in a way that's accessible even if you're not incredibly fit. He does more work with balance than anyone else I've seen at SoulCycle, and is relentless in reminding you about how you can adjust and do more. I feel like no matter where you are, Mantas will just you to go a little further than you think you can. He's also nuts about the weights (in a good way). Unlike other instructors, he does not restrict the weight period to just one section, but has you pulling them out multiple times, again to challenge your precision and increase your expectations. He also emphasizes work out of the saddle and has you lay on the resistance. I think the music he selects is pretty good - there are usually one or two songs that are especially awesome - though again Joshua totally spoiled me for everyone else's music, ha ha. If you've been going to SC and feel like you wish the classes were more physically challenging, you have to check out Mantas. read more

I decided to give Soul Cycle another whirl and I still just don't drink the kool-aid. The bikes are very basic and lack any sort of sophistication (i.e. being able to determine speed), the bikes are so close together that while doing the exercises while spinning you will knock arms with your neighbors and not to mention the lack of ventilation in the room... which is the MAIN reason people are waterfalling with sweat and not because this is "LIKE, SUCH AN AMAZING WORKOUT!" Seriously, I prefer my classes at Equinox where there are fans in the room and I STILL sweat, there is space and I don't feel like I am rubbing shoulders with my neighbor AND I can challenge myself by monitoring my cadence. I mean the workout was decent, but I don't get all of the raving. Maybe I need to be a sorority member to get it. read more

Took my 4th soulcycle class ever this past weekend, and I can't believe I'm going to say this but my class was MEH. After having really fun instructors, this time around I tried someone new and it really wasn't my style. But that's why you join soulcycle, you discover your journey and see who's going to be a great fit for you on your daily, weekly, or even monthly soulcycle workout! Anyways, rating is based on the studio and the crew. Everyone was really friendly and this studio has 2 floors which is pretty nice and roomy and clean (huge plus). Instructor was too serious, and didn't have the fun aspect I was looking for, but that's my POV. read more

This class is not for beginners but it was very fun and Chelsea was a great instructor. I had fun even though I couldn't keep up! I would go back if I could keep up! read more

Oh my GOD! I didn't realize how terrible I am at cycling. I want to give a shoutout to Emily for pushing me during my very first spin class. I sweat my ass off, and I'm slightly dead inside. Thank you so much, I will DEFINITELY be back! read more