“Trust that where you are is where you need to be” is how Melanie kicked off her class at SoulCycle Union Square, and that’s how we felt for the 45 minutes we rode with her. She is calm yet powerful. Her class was heavy on the tap backs and obliques, with little variation in speed. She had a unique teaching style – unlike some instructors, she was not cemented to the saddle but split time on and off the bike. This allowed her to connect with the riders in a more intimate way.
The SoulCycle formula was spot on in Melanie’s class (saddle up + warmup + choreo + arms + therapy ride + finisher). We’d expect nothing less from a master instructor and a long-time rider (she’s been involved with the brand since 2006, to be exact). Her speed was moderate – never full-on sprinting or climbing, but somewhere in between. Melanie religiously demonstrated the various moves and focused on form – good for the newbies but it felt like a bit of overkill for the regulars.
As the first rider to become an instructor in 2009, her commitment to providing a true SoulCycle experience came through. She encouraged us to turn up the resistance and let the music guide us through class. We didn’t love Melanie’s nonstop litany of mantras and clichés, but her voice is soothing voice and some of it hit home. She played a mix of music incorporating genres from alternative rock to a variety of dance remixes. While it wasn’t our absolute favorite, we’d go back for a feel good ride.
The SoulCycle Union Square location is smaller compared to the other SoulCycle studios in Manhattan. When you walk in, you hit the front desk and the studio is straight ahead. A staircase to the left of the studio brings you downstairs to the men’s and women’s locker rooms. Warning: it’s pretty tight down there and you don’t want to brave the stairs in spin shoes.
Recommendation: change before you get to the studio and avoid the showers if possible.
12 East 18th St, New York, NY 10003 Union Square Spin $$$$
SoulCycle Union Square
Union Square Spin, $$$$
12 East 18th St, New York, NY 10003
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SoulCycle
SoulCycleSpin
Number one takeaway: MUSIC. When class was over, we were eager to find out every song she played. Sydney’s playlist was definitely top five across the NYC instructors we’ve taken. The type of music you can expect? Electronic Dance Music (EDM) with heavy beat drops. We were fans, but if you’re not into EDM, you may want to reconsider. Sydney tied the beat drops with long/fast sprints and would scream to give that extra push. She frequently engaged riders by calling out “first row, second row, there we go back row”!! Her style was engaging and just enough, not overboard with yelling or talking. That ain’t our style.
Her workout formula? Keeping the party alive. We raged and sprinted our hearts out every single song. If you’re up for the challenge, we highly recommend trying her out. That said, if you are new you may want to take a different teacher for your first time. She is fast. She loves choreography…and her class is not chill. Enough said.
SoulCycleSpin
Paige’s Soul Survivor class is like a dance party on a bike that will kick your ass and inspire you at the same time. With music ranging from Green Day, Gavin Degraw, Lady Gaga and Christmas tunes, there is something for everyone and with Paige at the wheel you’re inner rock star is sure to be unleashed.
Paige is tough and commands the room with a lot of passion and energy that makes you want to W-O-R-K. And she doesn’t just want to make you work, she wants to SEE you work and won’t hold back on letting you know to turn it up. While a survivor class can sometimes be overwhelming, Paige never skips a beat and makes the time fly by. We danced, crunched, climbed, completed the weighted section in and out of the saddle, sweated a lot and left feeling like we got our money’s worth. Paige rode with us on the bike at times demonstrating and moved around the room motivating us and turning the resistance knobs of anyone she spotted dogging it. Her motivational words reminded us that we are stronger than we think. It’s better to try, and fail than to never try at all.
