CycleBar Review: Workout, Amenities & Costs Explained

There’s a new name in spin, and it’s CycleBar.

You’ve probably seen more and more of these fitness studios popping up to rival the likes of SoulCycle, Flywheel, and others.

But there’s a twist.

The ‘bar’ in CycleBar actually refers to a weighted bar instructors use to incorporate a killer upper body workout into the cycling class.

So it’s not quite the same-old spin class you’re used to. But does it live up to the hype?

Here’s what you should expect at your first CycleBar class, how much it costs to ride at CycleBar, and a few pros and cons to help you decide whether it’s worth checking out.

Before You Go to CycleBar

It all starts with booking your class and reserving a bike.

Through the CycleBar app or website, you’ll reserve your class time and your specific bike in the studio, so you’re guaranteed to have a spot.

You’ll get an email reminder a day or so before your class, just in case you’re prone to forgetting (or looking for excuses to skip your workout!)

When you sign up, you’ll also get to pick a display name for the leaderboard, and you’ll put in your height, weight, and other key stats so your bike can properly calculate your performance and calorie burn.

When You Get to CycleBar

When you walk into CycleBar, you’ll be greeted at the front desk and you’ll check in to class using an iPad.

From there, you can grab spin shoes in your size from convenient cubbies on the wall.

Newbies will also get a CycleBar water bottle to bring in to class, and keep afterwards.

If you need to change, you’ll find a unisex locker room with private combination locks. There are also a few private bathrooms and showers.

Before you head into class, you’ll also see a really cool whiteboard (or redboard) wall with all the upcoming classes and themed rides handwritten on it, plus other notes and shoutouts.

The wall really gives the studio a personal feel and helps tone down the corporate-franchise vibe.

During A CycleBar Class

A few minutes before class, you’ll want to head into the studio itself to get ready.

It’s dark and cool inside the studio, with dramatic lighting and a huge mirror at the front.

When you walk in, there’s already upbeat music playing, building the excitement and getting everyone pumped.

There are a few rows of bikes — about 40 or so in total.

Before the ride starts, the main instructor — here, they’re called CycleStars — and some others will come around and help you get set up on your bike, which can be a bit tricky to do on your own.

Every instructor and class is a little bit different, but usually a CycleBar ride goes something like this:

During a warm-up song: You’ll pedal fast at a low gear to warm up your muscles and get your heart-rate up

The second song is often a “hill,” meaning you’ll stand up on your bike, ratchet up the resistance, and do a slow climb.

From there, the rest of the class is a mixture of low gear sprints, high gear hill climbs, and everything in between.

The workout will be as intense as you make it, and you’re always free to take it slow when you need to.

A little more than halfway through the class, you’ll get an “arms song” — you’ll grab the weighted bar in front of you (choose the 4 pound bar, the 6 pound bar, or use both for 10 pounds of resistance) and do some arm-burning movements while still pedaling.

Most classes finish off with a super-intense sprint.

Finally, a cool down song brings class to a close and you’ll finish with some off-bike stretching.

Throughout the whole thing, you can choose whether or not to participate in CycleStats — meaning you’ll see your display name and performance up on a big leaderboard at the front of class.

Most classes are 45 minutes long, though different options are sometimes available. And you can usually expect to burn between 250 to 1000 calories per class.

How Much Does CycleBar Cost?

You’ll want to check with your local studio to find the exact pricing in your area, but you can usually expect to pay around twenty dollars for a single class, called a “drop-in”.

You can buy multi-packs of single classes to get a better rate, paying less per class the more you buy up front.

And you can even get a monthly CycleBar membership that includes 4 rides per month, 8 rides per month, or unlimited rides.

The more often you go, the better deal you’ll get in the end.

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Overall, a CycleBar class is an incredible workout in a friendly and supportive atmosphere.

At roughly fifteen to twenty dollars per class, it can become a pricey endeavor to work out here frequently. But it’s a great investment if you respond well to the high-energy environment — and if you could use a little push from the leaderboard.

If you do decide CycleBar fits your budget, you’ll love the workout. But the relationships you form with your instructors and the other riders are what will keep you coming back again and again.

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