Battle of the spin studios - which burn is best?

As a spin teacher for five years, I’ve seen the indoor cycling landscape in NYC change quite a bit. There are now endless options for spin enthusiasts, both at private studios and gyms.  


Private studios like Flywheel and Swerve offer a luxury feel with a community element, and studios now have all kinds of metrics (a digital screen attached to the bike that shows your resistance, cadence, etc) and ways to keep track of your “score.” This helps you see your progress over time and can make it more competitive. 


I’ve taken classes at some of the best studios in NYC, and put together a cheat sheet of my favorites that might help you choose the studio that’s right for you.

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Flywheel

• Location: Multiple
  
• Price for single class: $34; first class free
  
• Highlights: Flywheel boasts a tech-savvy Torqboard so you can see your class ranking throughout the class and during sprints; Free water bottles, fruit, and shoe rentals; Bliss shower products; clean & nice studios with an inviting atmosphere
  
• Who it’s best for: Someone with a competitive spirit and who wants to track their progress
• More info: flywheelsports.com
  

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Swerve

• Location: 30 W 18th St
  
• Price for single class: $30; first class is buy 1, get 1 free
  
• Highlights: 3 teams (red, blue, green) compete against each other creating a competitive, yet fun environment; emphasis on “swerving to the beat” (matching the beat of the music); free shoe rentals; smoothie bar
  
• Who it’s best for: Someone who’s a team player, has a competitive spirit, and wants to track progress
• Note: Sometimes the bikes aren’t calibrated properly and the resistance level jumps around, so your score might not always be accurate. Let the front desk person know if you have that issue
• More info: swervefitness.com
  

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SoulCyle

• Location: Multiple
  
• Price for single class: $34, $20 first class
  
• Highlights:  SoulCycle may not have the metrics and new-ness of some of the other studios, but what they lack in flash, they make up for in environment & community. You can’t help but feel like you’re a part of something when you take a class
  
• Who it’s best for: Someone who just wants to zone out and let the music take over your ride, it can be therapeutic
  
• Note: Shoes $3, water $2; SoulCycle has its own terminology and signature moves like “tap backs” so it might take a couple classes to get used to the phrasing and quick movements
  
• More info: soul-cycle.com
  

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Peloton

Photo cred: Forbes.com

• Location: 140 W 23rd, or virtual
  
• Price for single class: $30, first class free
  
• Highlights:  You can buy the bike and take live classes from home! Free water bottles and shoe rentals; disposable flip flops for showering and Malin + Goetz products; beautiful studio and smooth bikes
  
• Who it’s best for: Someone who wants to work out in the comfort of their own home, or someone who appreciates a nice studio and lounge area and is looking for a lively spinning experience
  
• Note: Arrive early for this class because you have to enter in your user name and password in order to get the metrics screen on the bike to work
  
• Teacher shout out: This is one studio where I have to call out a specific teacher: Robin Arzon is a badass, with a unique combination of encouragement, toughness, humor, and swag, so if you get the chance to check out her class, she won’t disappoint.
  
• More info: pelotoncycle.com
  

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Revolve

• Location: 52 E 13th St
  
• Price for single class: $29, $15 first class
  
• Highlights: Revolve brings us back to the basics, geared more towards outdoor riders with their Real Rider class, and staying true to what you can do on an outdoor bike by keeping still on the bike while doing upper body exercises, and not going up in position 2
  
• Who it’s best for: Someone looking for a more traditional ride
  
• Note: $2 shoe rental, co-ed locker room area, metrics on bike but not trackable from class to class
  
• More info: revolvefitness.com
  

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Aqua Studio

• Location: 78 Franklin St
  
• Price for single class: $42, First timers can do $150 unlimited Aquacycling for a month
  
• Highlights: You are literally riding a bike in water! You also do a variety of upper body movements using water as resistance
  
• Who it’s best for: Someone who is injured or needs a low-impact workout 
• Note: $2 shoe rentals; You can wear a bathing suit or regular workout clothes, whatever you think you’d be most comfortable in
  
• More info: aquastudiony.com
  

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Final words: A few tips when trying out new spin studios:

• Take advantage of specials for first timers, i.e. free or discounted classes
  
• Arrive 15 minutes early…really. I know, that sounds like a lot of time, but by the time you put your stuff away, get your shoes on, and get acclimated to the bike and the metrics, class will be starting. All of these classes cost over $30 per ride, that's almost $1 per minute... Don't waste your time or money!
  
• Some of these studios offer different kinds of classes (i.e. “Real Ride” or “Rhythm Ride”). Read the descriptions on the websites and choose the one that best fits your style.
  
• Try at least 2 classes at a place before you make a decision on whether or not you like it. Often it takes time to get adjusted and you get more out of a class the second time around.  Additionally, each studio has teachers with different styles, energies, and playlists, so trying out a few different teachers and finding one you like can help enhance the experience at any studio.

By Ros

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