Workout Review: Soul Cycle

By ellen on April 6, 2010

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I’ve been dying to try out Soul-Cycle for quite some time. That time came on Friday. I was willing to pay the steep price of a class ($32), but was delighted to see that the Westside location was offering a free community ride on Friday at 1pm. And since I was on vacation, I happened to be free at this time :)

I went to the 72nd St. location, and by the time I found the entrance (it’s just a lobby-front, the studio is in the back), it looked like everyone else in the class was already there! The narrow entry-way had soul-cyclists changing shoes and getting their stuff together, and I squirmed by to get my borrowed shoes (clipless pedals).

This was, I should tell you, my first time wearing cycling shoes. Once I awkwardly walked over to my bike, I snapped my shoes in (after a few minutes of failed attempts and having the lovely girl next to me help me out a bit) I started rolling. The lights were dim, the music was awesome, and the studio was candlelit. Almost more like a yoga studio, than spinning – in a good way. The zen similarities ended there.

Surrounded by fit women of many ages, mostly Lulu-clad, we got started with our instructor, Kaili. The warm-up through the very last minute was high-energy and saturated with awesome music, and loads of encouragement from the instructor. I almost forgot how badly my thighs were burning about 20 minutes in.

Afterwards, the room emptied quickly for a new group coming in, I rode my Spinner’s high to the juice bar next door for a tasty reward :)

The verdict? I’m in LOVE. I’d love to check out a few more classes, and I’ll keep my eyes peeled for some freebie community classes. I think I can only justify paying full price about twice a month, but that’s good enough for me!

Have you hit up Soul-Cycle? What did you think?

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These Boots Were Made for Marchin’

By ellen on March 31, 2010

By boots, I mean running shoes. And we are marchin right into April. Hopefully it’ll be far less rainy than March was, but at least I got to wear my super cute rain gear a bunch.

So, the month in review. Overall, March was pretty good. It totally flew by though (don’t they all? I feel like I’m getting old, haha). This month was pretty good in terms of workouts. I’m really happy that I can officially say I’m back in running shape after a month-long hiatus. I’m doing two short runs during the week and gradually building the distance of my Sunday longer runs. I have a biathlon at the end of April to gear up for, and a 10-miler on May 2 to train for; I’m pretty confident that I’ll be prepared for both.

Looking back at the goals for the March that I set 30 days ago, and, eh, I didn’t really get to them. Well, sort of. Let’s take a look back, shall we? (My notes are in blue.)

  • Other resolutions I plan to check off:
    • Get a new job. I’m just about done with the resume, and it’s going out tomorrow! Eeeek! Wish me luck :) Still working on this one. Actually, schools in my area don’t post openings until mid-April… so I didn’t really have a choice. I did, however, polish my resume and get some cover letters at the ready, so I’ve got that going for me.
    • Work out when I’m not at home. March marks the beginning of our spring calendar (read: weddings) that has us going on quite a few weekend trips. I really want to make working out on the road a habit. Woohoo! done and done. I made a trip to visit my parents and one to a wedding in Pittsburgh and worked out at both. Another trip coming up this weekend – no problem! Clearly, I’m pretty happy with myself here.
  • Miscellaneous Things on the Horizon:
    • I’m trying out a few workout spots in the city (I’ll review them here!) like Soul Cycle and Core Fusion at Exhale, to name a few. Well these are still happening, but they got pushed back a little. In fact, I’m hitting up Soul Cycle this Friday, and Core Fusion in two weeks.
    • Taking a cooking class to mix things up a bit. I’m pretty excited – I’ve never taken a cooking class before. I’m still up in the air as to whether I’ll take a cuisine class (like vegetarian Indian, or dumplings of the world, etc.) or a technique class (like knife skills – which I think would be super rad). Thoughts? Suggestions? I’ve already signed up for a Detox workshop at the Whole Foods on Houston at the end of April, and still have a gift card to Camaje for a cooking class – I’ll probably check one out in May.
    • MORE PIZZA NYC! Oh, there was more pizza, alright. I’m totes behind on posting it though. I hope to catch up these last few days of vay-cay. though, don’t you worry.
Alright, at least I hit a few of my goals this month. And honestly? I’d be happy with only the running thing, and that was technically a stated goal. Which also makes me realize, that contrary to nearly everyone else on the planet, I’m more likely to accomplish goals that are unstated. Weird, right? So the April goals will really just be general goals that I may or may not hit this month. I will hit them in the next few, though. I’d be super-pleased if I completely accomplish one in the next 30 days, natch.
April+ Goals:
  • Do some push-ups. Real ones. An while we’re at it? Be able to do a few pull-ups too. We’re going for strength here, folks.
  • Inch closer to touching my toes.

So there you have it. What’s up for you in April?

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Some awesome posts I read today… check ‘em out!

  • Shedding It and Getting It‘s poignant videos and thoughts on body image.
  • Run Eat Repeat posts Dr. Oz’s 7 Deadly Sins. Are you an offender?
  • Need a little motivation? A little exercise can be magical, as FitSugar shows. It gives some hope to chronic slouchers like yours truly.

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