SoulCycle opens its indoor cycling center in the heart of Hollywood.
Walking is more my speed, though every time I take an indoor cycling class I emerge feeling victorious, wondering when I will make it my regular beat. Such was my experience after a 45-minute class at SoulCycle’s newest location in Hollywood.
On Hollywood Boulevard, by the Hollywood Walk of Fame, there’s a new apartment block called Eastown LA whose ground level is an ode to wellness. Here you’ll find a juice bar, gourmet salad chop shop, bootcamp studio, and SoulCycle. Opened in April 2015, the Hollywood outpost is the brand’s largest in LA and is already as busy as any of its other six studios dotted between Malibu and Pasadena. At 8:30 am on Saturday, nearly all of the 65 seats were filled by a surprisingly upbeat crowd of guys and gals. Led by the super-fit Pixie, our class cycled to a killer playlist, moving the upper body to core-focused choreography and hand weights. Progressively amping up the resistance, we broke a good sweat. I made ample use of all water breaks.
Was my soul uplifted? Yes. Was the class tough? Definitely, but it felt less intense thanks to the dimly-lit studio and music that kept me in the zone. In addition, Pixie’s motivational coaching was subtle enough to help me find strength in the struggle. “LA, get out of your own way,” she exclaimed at one point, helping me pick up the pace. As for everyone else? All I can say is this: LA, you’re one fit bunch of people!
SoulCycle Hollywood
6201 Hollywood Boulevard, LA, 90028, 323-462-7685, soul-cycle.com
Marina Chetner is an Australian freelance writer based in Los Angeles.
Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.