A cult cycling class that’s good for the soul
SoulCycle
When and where
SoulCycle’s Soho studio, Thursdays at 7.30pm.
What’s the drill?
A 45-minute class in SoulCycle’s first studio outside the US: a
60-bike basement space in Great Marlborough Street. The celebrityfavourite spin chain is known for its “emotional” workouts so don’t expect to sit back and coast — this is all about giving it your all (riders regularly end up in tears). There’s an amethyst stone on the podium, used for its “healing properties”, and the studio is candle lit. Cycling is mostly done out of the saddle and the instructor, Kendra, pushes you through the sprints, hill climbs and hand weight exercises with cheesy one-liners and motivational quotes.
The skinny
Give it everything you’ve got and you can burn up to 700 calories.
The social network
Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Michelle Obama are among the 20,000 daily riders in the US, but the London crowd is mostly young professionals and Soho co-workers on a team ride. David Beckham is supposedly a fan, so keep your eyes peeled.
Instructor appeal
New Yorker Kendra usually does the 7.30pm class — she moved to London with SoulCycle for the launch. Her energy is infectious — she dances around the studio floor as you ride and whips her hair to the beat (somehow, it still looks immaculate after 45 minutes — the rest of you will be red-faced and dripping). Expect motivational messages throughout: “It’s better to push too hard than never know how hard you can push” on the hill climbs; “If this was your last ride, what risks would you take?” on those final sprints.
What to pack
Bring your own bottle — there are water refill stations outside the studio. Towels are provided in the changing rooms and on your bike.
The sounds
Kendra’s catchy beats and Nirvana classics will drive you.
Locker-room chat
Space in the changing rooms is tight, so come in your kit if you can, and expect a queue for the shower after the class (mercifully, there’s good air-con). It’s worth the wait: there are Dyson hairdryers, ghd straighteners and an impressive range of products — Le Labo face wash and body lotion, Nivea deodorant, R+Co hairspray, Lola tampons and pots of hair ties. Lockers are smart (there are USB sockets in each for charging your phone) and there’s a member of staff on hand by the entrance to dish out towels. The bright lobby sells a range of apparel and there’s a Good Life Eatery bar serving turmeric smoothies, acai bowls and protein peanut butter cups.
Tips for first timers
Arrive early to sign the digital form at the front desk and leave your phone in your locker to charge — staff are strict about the no-phone rule inside the studio.
The afterburn
You’ll leave dripping and flooded with endorphins.
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