5 reasons why the SoulCycle at-home bike is great for beginners
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Starting any new exercise routine can be daunting. Throw a new piece of equipment in there and it can be downright scary! Luckily, SoulCycle’s at-home bike makes it easy for beginners to get on the bike and get riding ASAP.
Full disclosure: I’m not a beginner when it comes to indoor cycling or even SoulCycle classes. However, I’ve recently tried SoulCycle’s at-home bike and found it to be great for all exercise levels. When I first got the bike, I was coming off of an ankle injury and hadn’t worked out in a while. So, I started slow and worked my way back up to what some may call intermediate or advanced riding.
But when starting out, I used all of the beginner features — and they are awesome.
If you’re not familiar with the SoulCycle at-home bike, it will transport you from your home to the front row of a studio class. It feels exactly like the same bike you’d use in the studio, but it’s outfitted with a 21-inch touchscreen, speakers and a power meter for measuring cadence, power and mileage.
SoulCycle At-Home Bike, $2,500 (or as low as $64.10 per month)
However, classes on the screen are stored in the Equinox+ by Equinox app. You’ll need to become a member (it costs $39.99 a month) and once you do, you’ll have access to all of the live and on-demand SoulCycle classes. In addition to SoulCycle, the Equinox+ app offers classes from PURE Yoga, Precision Run, Rumble, [solidcore], HeadStrong and TB12 (Tom Brady’s workout program). So, if you ever need a break from cycling, you can recover with a yoga class or take a strength class.
Actually, you can sign up for an Equinox+ membership with or without the bike to take the other classes on your phone or iPad. But, it’s definitely better with a SoulCycle at-home bike.
SoulCycle classes are fun, and that’s a major key when it comes to working out. If you like it, you’ll stick with it. Exercise can make you feel good and give you a sense of accomplishment. But, if you dread it, you’re probably doing the wrong type of workout.
SoulCycle’s classes are like a dance party on a bike. They feature music from your favorite artists paired with motivating instructors. Lose yourself in the music and the pedaling and you won’t be counting down the time until you’re done.
If you’re looking for a new workout that you truly enjoy, keep scrolling to see why the SoulCycle at-home bike is great for beginners, and then give it a try.
1. How-To Videos
SoulCycle provides several how-to videos for beginners to watch before riding. You can learn how to adjust the bike’s seat height and handlebars, as well as how to clip in your shoes, adjust resistance, pair your Bluetooth devices (like your headphones) and more. The videos are quick, yet thorough and easy to follow.
2. Beginner Level Classes
There are live classes and recorded classes. You can do the recorded classes anytime, on-demand. But the best part is that the recorded classes are also marked as introductory, beginner, intermediate or advanced. Start with an introductory or beginner class and work your way up. The advanced classes will include more choreography and faster runs — all of which you’ll eventually be able to do. You’ve got this!
3. Shorter Classes
In-studio SoulCycle classes last for at least 45 minutes. However, the app offers shorter 20-minute and 30-minute classes (in addition to longer 45-minute and 60-minute classes). In fact, all of the introductory classes are 30 minutes or less. These are great for beginners who are working on their endurance (or if you’re just short on time). Plus, it’s easier to motivate yourself to ride for just 20 minutes, right?
It should be said, you can also sort recorded classes by instructor, type of music, theme rides and category. In addition to spinning, there are also five and 10-minute arm sculpting classes as well as five to 15-minute stretch and recovery classes.
4. Rider Form View
During class, your instructor may tell you to “tap it back” or to try a “slow press” with your arms. If you’re confused about what your body should be doing, you can click on “Rider Form View” to see a rider from the side. (It’s the small picture in the lefthand corner of the screen as shown above.) Try to mimic their form as best as possible and you should be golden!
In addition to the Rider Form View, SoulCycle classes ride to the beat of the music. So, if you’re ever lost on how fast you should be going, listen to the music and watch your instructor.
5. Ride Like No One Is Watching — Because They’re Not
Unlike a class in the studio, no one is watching you ride at home. You can feel free to let loose, wear whatever you feel comfortable in and even stop at any point. No one is going to judge you if you have to pause class to take a break.
However, you’re not totally alone. The app recently added a Rider List to each class. If you’re interested, you can swipe the screen to see if there are any other at-home riders in the class with you. Don’t worry, they can’t actually see you, and you can’t see them — only their names. However, you can receive and give any of the other riders digital high fives, fist bumps and celebratory confetti. During live classes, you can also see select stats of the other riders if you’re the competitive type.
See? SoulCycle offers plenty of features for beginners who are looking for a workout they can enjoy.
A few more need-to-know details: The bike costs $2,500 (comparable to Peloton’s), but financing options are available. It also ships pretty fast. You’ll get your bike in as little as two to three weeks.
If you’re still nervous about such a big purchase, there’s also a 30-day trial. If for any reason you decide to return it, the retailer will coordinate a pick-up and provide a refund. However, take a class or two and I’m confident you’ll fall in love with your new hobby.
If you liked this article, check out one editor’s full review after riding the SoulCycle at-home bike for one month.
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