Over the past couple of years spin has become one of the most popular fitness crazes in the country, but don’t be deceived–it’s more than sitting on a stationary bike for 45 minutes. Here’s my input on some of the top spin studios in DC:
1. Soul Cycle: Soul Cycle is really the first major name to bring spinning into the limelight. While the classes are expensive (I usually go once a week or every other week, if that), I find that they have some of the most skilled instructors, the best music, and the best amenities of the other studios. With huge followings in New York and LA, Soul Cycle has expanded quickly in DC, and now has studios in the West End, Mount Vernon, Georgetown, and on U Street. Each class has a distinct playlist coordinated to your RPMs and set moves (sprints, climbs, push ups, crunches, etc.), and what really sets these classes apart is the instructors, who focus on motivation, and the aesthetic, which usually includes a dark room with candles and mirrors. However, as many instructors can jump into tough moves quickly that provide a lot of coordination (think pushups while sprinting on the bike), I would recommend it for more intermediate riders who have a sense of what their resistance and alignment should be without much additional instruction, or at least to be open to the fact that it might take a few classes to get the moves down compared to other spin classes that focus more on runs and sprints.
2. FlyWheel: Flywheel truly is Type A fitness paradise. Each bike is programmed with a small screen that calculates torque and distance as your ride, and during the class instructors will post everyone’s scores onto a large “TorqBoard” that posts your username and scores so that each rider is essentially “racing” against the pack. While I find that this makes me use more resistance than I would at other studios, it’s definitely a matter of personal preference and the comparison personally stresses me out more than motivates me. However, I do love that each rider can track metrics–including calories burned–after each workout and can also track their progress over time. Riders also receive a follow-up email indicating how they compare to the entire Flywheel population and to their demographic. Like SoulCycle, FlyWheel’s Dupont location does provide beautiful bathrooms and changing areas complete with showers, water filters, and the works. Try Gregg Pitts’ Saturday class (your first class is free!) and head to Glen’s Garden Market next door for a snack after class.
3. Zengo Cycle Logan Circle: Located in a basement at 14 and P, it can be a little difficult to find, but Zengo is a great studio that offers one of the cheapest spin classes in DC and is still competitive with competitors like Soul Cycle or FlyWheel. Zengo follows almost an identical model to Soul Cycle in terms of the structure of each class, although with slightly fewer amenities in the studio itself. Try a class with Patrick and after class, walk down 14th to Press juice bar (located in between R & Corcoran streets) for a post-workout drink.
Still need to step it up? For a challenge, try U Street’s new Sweatbox class–think high intensity interval training (HIIT) with bikes and heavier weights and cardio segments. Review coming soon!
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