The Seaport is on fire. We’d suggest walking, actually no, running to the Seaport because damn it’s just HOT. First, every cool start up under the sun moves there, then Row 34 opens, and then Chef Chloe comes all the way from New York with vegan food. And now, SoulCycle’s Seaport studio has joined the cool kids and opened its doors.
By now everyone has heard of SoulCycle and if you haven’t you’re living under a rock (sorry, but it’s the truth). SoulCycle has singlehandedly made spinning cool and is more like a workout experience on a spin bike than a spin class. We see is as a place where sweat and inspiration meet. Let’s be clear though, the workouts are what you make of them. You can coast through or you can take another turn on the resistance dial and get uncomfortable. We control our own destiny at SoulCycle which is empowering but at the same time, if we aren’t sure of what we are capable of, we sometimes walk away wishing we had pushed a little harder.
Most SoulCycle classes follow the same formula: saddle up, warm up, then complete combinations of sprints, hills and runs all whilst riding to the beat of the music. And it’s not just about moving your legs, instructors add in elements of choreography throughout the class: tap backs, push ups, core work, and sometimes even a double tap. Three quarters of the way into class you will have one song dedicated to arm weights. After arms the music slows down, candles are lit, and you have a song to yourself to “just ride. No words, just the sound of the wheels turning together as the pack of riders become one. After the one song therapy sesh the music kicks back up and you head “home” with one last push.
Now the general formula may be the same, but every instructor adds their own special touch, and they all have their own. Playlists, choreography, pace of class, motivational words and personal character are all instructor dependent. So pick your poison.
Looking to fit into a dress in the next two weeks? Then Jeff’s interval-packed class is for you. Speeding up and slowing down is done with intention, and twists are thrown in by way of fun cardio “tricks,” such as fast jogs while switching one hand on and off the bike. As unique as his class was, we felt lucky to even keep up given many other class members were struggling. Jeff didn’t seem game for conducting one-on-ones to correct form, so cyclers had to go it alone. Tons of intervals–and the sore legs to prove it–left us feeling like we survived the impossible workout, but we admit to missing the “soulful” aspect of SoulCycle. No putting our head down, zoning out and finding that meditative state with Jeff’s class. Instead, soul came by way of fun dancing on the bike and a great cardio workout. While different, we’d definitely do it again.
The SoulCycle Seaport studio address is 101 Seaport Blvd, but the entrance to the studios is located on the small side street right off of Seaport Blvd. So don’t go looking for the yellow wheel on the main drag. When you walk in the main entrance you can essentially see the entire space as it’s one small rectangle. Off the entrance is a small retail area along with the reception desk. Lockers flank the lobby area as you make your way back to the spin studio and locker rooms. While the lobby may be tight, and a little bit of a bottleneck, the spin room and locker rooms are spacious. The spin room holds 57 bikes, the largest in Boston, and there is actually space so you won’t feel on top of other riders. The Women’s locker room has five showers and three bathrooms while the Men’s locker room has four showers. The Seaport location boasts all of the usual amenities (towels, bath products, hair dryers, etc.) that we’ve come to expect at SoulCycle.
101 Seaport Blvd, Boston MA 02210 Seaport District Spin $$$
SoulCycle Seaport
Seaport District Spin, $$$
101 Seaport Blvd, Boston MA 02210
Get the latest reviews, hot classes, go-to instructors, must have gear and pumping beats delivered straight to your inbox every week.
SoulCycleSpin
Maddy is known for her love of all things sparkly and unicorn themed. She was decked-out in unicorn leggings and a sick pink crisscross front sports bra (need one asap!). Maddy kind of embodies those things in a genuine and fabulous way. From the pre-game pump up, to the options allowing us to attack the beats in a way that worked for our own bodies, to the end of class where she wrapped things up yogi style, we realized there is just no one like her. She’s a wild, smiling blur of blonde on the bike and we dig it. Thank you your sharing your energy with us!
SoulCycleSpin
Staring at Johnny for 45 minutes in and of itself does NOT burn calories–but what a wonderful workout that would be. But enough with us swooning; we came to sweat! Fresh out of instructor training, Johnny brought us back to the SoulCycle basics. Choreography is low key at best, and instead the class felt more structured than off-the-cuff. He pumped up fun music that pretty much everyone in class knew, which was perfect for rhythm riding and adding on tons of resistance. Choreography and maintaining the rhythm can be quite difficult, so Johnny’s class is a solid chance to challenge yourself and improve. Despite Johnny’s tough, strong exterior, his personality and witty dry humor shined. While the class was fun, and we’d definitely go back for the eye candy alone, we didn’t feel as if we really broke any fitness barriers by the end of it. But as Johnny continues to develop from a newbie instructor to a veteran, we’re interested to see what his future classes have to offer.
SoulCycleSpin
We have a mild obsession with Charlotte. We may even stalk her from time to time (We don’t think we are the only one). She is a wind up bunny on a spin bike. Not only does she bring the heat to the workouts; she has an inspirational way about her too. Her words and mantras have the ability to push you to a place that makes you stronger not only physically but mentally as well. (Added bonus! Her music is a solid A+)
SoulCycleSpin
Whatever this guy is taking – we want some too! James’ class is a straight up party on a bike. James is absolutely hilarious and we love him for that. He slides across the room, jumping up and down, and screams at the top of his lungs. You literally do not know what this guy is going to do next. He screams motivational words, but don’t get us wrong he’s not just yelling to yell. He is motivational to the point of pushing you past where you might think you can go. He combines lots of fast running and large heavy hills. James takes a different approach then your typical SoulCycle class – his goal is for you to have fun and work you ass off in the process. We were laughing and smiling the entire time but that didn’t deter from us getting a killer workout. But just remember between all the laughs and partying if James sees you slacking off (maybe putting your hair up a few too many times) he isn’t afraid to call you out. Party hard, work harder.
SoulCycleSpin
HOLY. SHIT. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the big leagues. (Well, mostly ladies and some gentlemen, but you get the point.) Erin Lindsay folks. Best. Of. Boston. Erin is so legit it makes us shake in our clip shoes and wonder what the hell just happened in that room for 45 minutes. You want to play with the big boys, you want to sweat with the big boys, you want to burn cals with the big boys, you want to work as hard as the big boys, you go ride with Erin.
Two words of advice before you ride: put enough resistance on the wheel (ie. don’t dog it) and please god make sure your legs ride in sync with Erin’s. No one wants to hear their name called out over the mic.
SoulCycleSpin
You know those 80s’ aerobic exercise instructors donning shiny leotards, high ponytails and wrist bands with matching sweatbands? We think Liah was one of them in a past life.
Liah Malley is textbook SoulCycle. Her class was just what we have come to expect from $30 and 45 minutes at SoulCycle. There was nothing groundbreaking or anything out of the ordinary. Just a good solid ride, hills, sprints, motivational speak and a good sweat.
For us, Liah summed up her class style best: “It’s not how little you can get away with, but how much you can push through.” Liah’s class, it’s all about building strength, focusing on our own ride, and making it your own workout. And the girl is strong, did you see dat back doe?
SoulCycleSpin
Looking to fit into a dress in the next two weeks? Then Jeff’s interval-packed class is for you. Speeding up and slowing down is done with intention, and twists are thrown in by way of fun cardio “tricks,” such as fast jogs while switching one hand on and off the bike. As unique as his class was, we felt lucky to even keep up given many other class members were struggling. Jeff didn’t seem game for conducting one-on-ones to correct form, so cyclers had to go it alone. Tons of intervals–and the sore legs to prove it–left us feeling like we survived the impossible workout, but we admit to missing the “soulful” aspect of SoulCycle. No putting our head down, zoning out and finding that meditative state with Jeff’s class. Instead, soul came by way of fun dancing on the bike and a great cardio workout. While different, we’d definitely do it again.
SoulCycleSpin
Straight off the Acela, Sara makes our dreams come true bringing New York City Soul to Boston. Sparked by an absolutely kick-ass playlist, Sara’s class bust out some of the best remixes our ears have ever been delighted to hear. In a trance from the beats, we hardly realized halfway through the class that she’d somehow convinced us to turn the wheel a sixth time and forced us to “push for just twenty seconds more.” Our resistance was so peaked at one point that our feet may have stopped moving. Trust us though, we will come back for more, specifically to figure out what the hell happened in there and why we can’t seem to keep up with Sara (or look as cool). She’s just too damn fast. And, even worse, we left again without asking her the name of the song she played now stuck in our head on repeat–dammit.
