At a Glance:

Website: http://www.cyclehousela.com
Address: 8511 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Length: 45 minutes
Price: first class free, 1 class/$29, 10 classes/$260, month unlimited/$300
Sweat scale: high
Energy level: high

Cycle House is definitely trending in LA. I’ve heard from many readers that it is their favorite spin studio so of course I had to check it out. Reservations book up fast on ClassPass and popular times tend to sell out through their website.

Pre Sweat

There is one-hour free valet at the garage directly behind the studio. The entrance is between Rise Nation and a liquor store off of La Cienega. I checked in, got my free spin shoes, and filled up my water bottle at the alkaline water station. There are lockers in the bathrooms but everyone stashes their things in the cubbies inside the studio. I found my bike with a towel already there, clipped in (with some assistance), and started pedaling.

Sweat

For 45 minutes we pedaled hard in the dark to pumping music as Nick led us through jumps, push-ups, tap backs, climbs, and leans. He used percentages to relay how heavy the resistance should be. We spent one song using dumbbells to work our upper body. The dumbbells were stored in a drawstring bag hanging from our handles and were a little tricky to get in and out while riding.

During our many sprints, we stood in third position with our hips hovering over the seat, majorly working our abs, legs, and butt. This is one position that I’m trying to perfect so I was happy to practice…it’s also exhausting! Nick was encouraging, emphasizing us to keep our heads down and focus on ourselves instead of the people around us and prompting hydration breaks between songs. We ended with stretching both on and off the bike and refreshing eucalyptus towels on the way out.

Post Sweat

I always leave spinning soaking wet, which is why I like to take a shower at the studio afterwards. The products at Cycle House smelled amazing and the Neutrogena face wash was a nice touch. There were also clean shower towels, a blow dryer, and body lotion. My only complaint is that this was the smallest locker room, making it impossible and awkward to get changed as people were walking in and out.

The studio is right next to Alfred in the Alley, a very trendy coffee shop with the tagline “but first, coffee” and very cute drink sleeves. After grabbing their signature $10 latte (Pressed Juicery almond milk with Stumptown espresso, over ice), the only logical thing is to hit up the even trendier Urth Caffé. Feel free to do some shopping at Alice & Olivia, Kitson, or rag & bone on the way.

Tricks of the Trade

• In effort not to waste any plastic, Cycle House does not sell water but they do offer unlimited access to the alkaline water system to fill your own bottle.
• Not only will this class improve your body, but also it improves the world by donating two meals for each class you attend.
• I had a lot of trouble clipping into the bike and no one was walking around to help so I had to go to the front desk. There are so many regulars that they seemed to forget about first timers.