My, my, my. I think we just fell in love. The team at B/SPOKE just upped the whole “boutique fitness” thing in a major way. Our love affair started from the moment we spotted the new B/SPOKE grey brick facade (Sherwin-Williams Peppercorn if you’re interested) on Central Street. The new sprawling digs sit right on the main drag in Wellesley Center and wooed us right out of the gate. But this place is not just a pretty face. The entire studio is breathtaking. Remember when we said we wanted the bathroom design from the Federal Street studio? Well now we want to move into the Wellesley studio and stay forever. The meticulous detail that went into every aspect of the build out is accompanied by high end customer service and instructors that are trained and deliver classes with playlists that never cease to amaze us.
As most you know the ingredients for spin classes are generally the same. Hills + Sprints + Recovery + Choreography + Weights + Music. How you mix the special sauce varies studio to studio. The special sauce at B/Spoke keeps getting spicier and we dig it. At B/SPOKE the little things might change from instructor to instructor, but the core workout remains the same. Instructors deliver well thought out classes from start to finish that incorporate the right amount of hills, sprints, choreography, weights and kick ass music.
Kara Lennon just keeps getting better and we freakin’ love it. Apparently when you commit to something full time and devote all your time and efforts to being the best you can be, shit pays off. Her presence on the podium makes it feel like that bike was made for her. Kara led us through a sold out Friday 9:30AM ride (it’s Wellesley folks) with clear commands, well timed choreography (and not too much of it), inspiring words, and the perfect combo of hills & sprints. The arm series was no joke, perhaps Kara’s new gig at Barry’s is giving her some new tricks. And remember in her Federal Street review when we told you Kara was cooler than cool? Well she didn’t tone it down just because she’s in the suburbs.
When you enter the studio off Central Street you walk into an open space and descend down a grand staircase to the main lobby. (Note: There is also a back entrance off of Church Street. But if you are a first timer to the studio we suggest getting the full experience and enter off Central). The front desk staff greets you as you check in with complimentary shoe rental. Also in the main lobby is a retail store that has all the latest apparel from some of your favorite trendy brands.
As we continue through the space we are greeted by a water station that looks more like a beer tap room then a water fountain. The locker rooms are top notch with plenty of space to spread out, sit down and not get bumped by 10 people in the process. Details, details, details. The die cut metal bathroom gender sign may have been our favorite part… or maybe the Matouk shower curtains??? Wellesley residents, you’ll feel right at home. There are 2 bathroom stalls and 4 showers. Aesop products are spread throughout – mouthwash, hand soap, shampoo, conditioner and body wash.
The spin room hosts 51 bikes and they are not your everyday spin bike. These bikes are like the Lamborghini of spin bikes. Word on the street is that SoulCycle is rolling out the same bikes in their New York studios starting this Spring. The majority of the bikes have SPD clips, but if you love your Look clips and maybe ride at SoulCycle from time to time (we won’t tell B/SPOKE) the front row bikes are all equipped with Look clips. The bikes even have computer monitors for all of you number chasers. But in typical B/SPOKE fashion, no one spoke of them.
50 Central St, Wellesley, MA 02482 Suburbs Spin $$$
B/SPOKE Studios Wellesley
Suburbs Spin $$$
50 Central St, Wellesley, MA 02482
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B/SPOKE StudiosSpin
Victoria was our Commander in Chief for 45 minutes inside the walls of B/SPOKE. From the minute she walked into the room through the end of the last song, she ruled us as her pack. Every single cue was clear and communicated in a way that not only made it easy to follow her lead but also get motivated when she pushed us further–two great qualities in a spin instructor. Victoria reminded us time and time again which foot should be catching the beat to assure all riders were riding as one, and we love her for that. No off beat riders here! Between her riding like a boss (perfect form, flat back, chest up, never wavering) and her envy-worthy long ponytail, we were almost hypnotized. But we quickly snapped out of it when we caught our right foot to the beat on the first song and we were off sprinting.
B/SPOKE StudiosSpin
You know that feeling you get when you walk into a sold out spin class, you look around and know that every single person in the room is ready to work and work damn hard? That was exactly what went down late on Wednesday night with Aly Raymer at B/SPOKE and not just this time, but every damn time we ride with her. We’ll say it once and hopefully not have to repeat ourselves…Don’t f*ck with Aly. Don’t let the cute outfits and blonde hair fool you. Aly means business. She showed us why she is one of the best in Boston. Come ready to work, sweat and perhaps push yourself past where you thought you could go. Sign of a good teacher, right?
What we loved most about Aly, aside from her no bullshit attitude was that she put a major emphasis on actually having riders ride to the BEAT of the music…imagine that. Throughout the 60 minute ride she continually cued us, “right, left, right, left”. This made sure we all had the right resistance on the wheel and that we rode as one.
B/SPOKE StudiosSpin
You know those people that just have that “cool” vibe? The vibe you always wish you had but never did? Well, Kara has that vibe. From the moment she stepped onto the podium, rocking her snapback, a pair of trendy leggings, and sports bra fresh off the retail rack in the lobby, coolness seeped from her pores. It feels like every time we go back to B/SPOKE Studios, they are upping their game, and we love that about them. Kara delivered a class straight out of the B/SPOKE playbook. It was a perfect balance of hills, sprints and choreography that got us working hard. Her energy level was at a constant 10 and we’re pretty sure we heard her swear once or twice. No judgement here, we were swearing under our breath as she forced us to kick it into high gear out of the saddle. With sweat pouring off every inch of our body (ok, we sweat a lot but it was HOT in there) the final song started…was that Tiny Dancer? Wait, was that Notorious B.I.G? Yes. It. Was. Remember Girl Talk? The DJ from 10 years ago that mashed up every song you love. We’d forgotten about them too. Apparently they are cool again. Kara made them cool again.
B/SPOKE StudiosSpin
The best way to describe Deja’s class is spinning meets Miami night club, and we are into it! We may have even picked up a few dance moves to try out this weekend. This was a Hip-Hop style class so the music still had that great mix of fast and slow paced songs but with a hip-hop vibe. Deja not only brought the party to her class through her choreography (body rolls and booty bumps) but her energy was just as spicy. Deja provided options for riders of varying degrees of experience, there were definitely loyal followers in the crowd and we can understand why. Between the music, the dancing, and Deja firing us up, the 45 minute class flew by. We think we just found our new Friday night hot spot.
B/Spoke StudiosSpin
Christina, or “Mooch” as she’s sometimes known (can we call her that yet?) is a total powerhouse. Christina was recently named a finalist for America’s Most Inspiring Trainer, and for good reason. This lady is strong, motivating, and will make sure you’re not just coasting through spin class…we admit, it happens. She’s rhythmic, engaging, and had us wanting to dance right along with her. Do yourself a serious favor and catch a class with this gal.
