We Tried SoulCycle on a Tribeca Rooftop and These Are Our Thoughts
Never in my life would I have imagined pedaling on a stationary bike for 45 minutes in 30 degree weather for fun, but here we are.
This past weekend, C&W co-founder Taylor and I decided to book a SoulOutside class with Jaidus on a rooftop in Tribeca. After not exercising regularly for over three months, I was desperately in need of some high intensity cardio and frankly, I missed going to SoulCycle. I must also mention that I clearly forgot how cold it could get on a January afternoon in Manhattan, because once I stepped outside of my apartment building, I almost immediately regretted signing up for the $36 class. But hey, who doesn’t love a New York rooftop?
Fast forward to arriving at the studio, the SoulCycle team had an incredibly organized set-up that was both on brand and COVID-safe. After getting our temperatures checked and signing in virtually through the app, we ventured up the elevator to the top floor, where we were greeted by staff to borrow cycling shoes and purchase waters. The heated area also sells branded merchandise (which I am tempted to purchase every single time).
To my surprise, the outdoor area was set up almost exactly like an actual SoulCycle studio, except with less bikes that were all evenly spread out. Although the tent helped a little bit with the wind chill, it unfortunately still felt like it was 30 degrees. Each bike came with a towel and a headset to listen to both the music and the instructor, as all SoulOutdoor classes are run with a silent disco audio system.
The class itself started off pretty rough, I must admit. I think it was partly due to the fact that it was below freezing outside and my lack of strength due not exercising frequently enough definitely contributed as well. I wore my parka to warm up during the first song, along with literally half of the sold out class. All of the sudden, I was fully sweating and pedaling to the beat of the music. Honestly, it was starting to feel like a normal class, which I was absolutely loving. Jadius was incredibly encouraging and positive throughout the ride, making the overall experience even better than expected. I did get cold again after weights though, which made the end of the class a bit uncomfortable but manageable.
Walking out of the class, I felt empowered, refreshed, and excited to workout more in 2021. SoulCycle has done an incredible job at making their outside classes as normal as possible while being safe. It was awesome to see so many riders still showing up in the middle of winter to take a class. Even though it was chilly, I would recommend this to anyone looking to leave their home and get moving on a weekend afternoon. Maybe just try to choose a slightly warmer day than I did.
Major plus to the Tribeca rooftop location… this view!
