At a Glance: 

Website: http://www.soul-cycle.com
Address: 6201 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Length: 45 minutes
Price: first class/$20, 1 class/$30, 10 classes/$280, 30 classes/$780
Sweat scale: high
Energy level: high

Soul Cycle is the epitome of boutique fitness and I was DYING to try it. My wish finally came try and I’m already trying to figure out how I can add a class package to my wedding registry (hint…hint).

Pre Sweat

Eastown is a brand new building with apartments, fitness studios, and healthy restaurants. It’s located across from The W Hotel and next to The Pantages Theatre. There is underground parking that can be entered from Hollywood Blvd or Argyle Ave. Soul Cycle validates for 90 minutes (afterwards it’s $2.50 for every 15 minutes). When I entered the studio, I immediately felt like a million bucks. Everything is brand new and white…the place screams boutique studio. I filled out the new client waiver and was given a pair of spin shoes. I put my stuff in a locker—every single locker has a USB outlet to charge your phone while you sweat—and headed into the studio. The bikes already had towels and I clipped in, ready to ride.

   

Sweat

Throughout the 45-minute class, awesome beats blasted as we sprinted, climbed, and quickly pedaled to the finish line. Some parts of class were like dancing on a bike. We did jumps, push-ups, and tap-backs—engaging our core muscles along with, of course, our legs. One song was dedicated to using 3 lbs weights to punch and curl our way to toned arms. The most meaningful part of my ride was when Victoria played a slower ballad and allowed us to pedal however we needed to at the moment. The song “Brother” by Need to Breathe featuring Gavin Degraw rang over the speakers and I closed my eyes taking in all in (listen to that song, I promise it’ll be one of your new favorites). These therapy rides are what Soul Cycle is all about. Some riders use the class as their time to reflect and practice mindful living, as the instructor screams out how everyone is beautiful and stronger for making it there and believing in themselves. We ended class with a stretch while on the bike and a few deep breaths. I left feeling high on life and ready to take on the world.

Post Sweat

You don’t even have to leave Eastown to find the best post sweat activities. Grab a juice or freeze at Pressed Juicery. Freeze is their healthy version of froyo, made from simply blending nuts, fruits, and veggies—without adding anything else. It is free of dairy, gluten, and added-sugars and can be topped with chia seeds, shredded coconut, almond butter drizzle, fresh fruit and more. My two favorites are the Green and the Vanilla Almond (the Chocolate Almond is very strange to me…be sure to get testers before you commit). Greenleaf is also right next-door and offers organic salads, wraps, and sandwiches. They have a juice bar and bottomless mimosas during the weekend brunch. Lastly, if you want to sweat it out even more, check out Barry’s Bootcamp whose flagship store is set to open there any day now!

Tricks of the Trade

• Classes led by the most popular instructors fill up so make sure you’re ready literally when the schedule is released.
• The bathrooms were fully stocked so no need to rush home before work/a date.