After hearing about SoulCycle from pretty much every New Yorker I know, I finally got the chance to give it a try in April – a few weeks after the Philadelphia Center City Studio (referred to in the SoulCycle cult circle as SoulCycle RHSQ).

I’ve taken a few spin classes in the past and enjoyed them, so I had a feeling I was going to like SoulCycle – and I did! I can see why it’s popular.  The music is motivating, you get a great workout, the instructor kept the mood upbeat and inspirational – overall its fun. I had a blast!  And actually, I went back recently for another class and liked it even MORE.  I felt like the second time I knew what to expect especially with the ‘core-engaging choreography’ – so I was able to really work hard, vs the first time when I was just trying to figure out what the hell I was doing.

I loved how hard we worked – I was drenched in sweat both times.  The arm weight “break” was great.  The music was awesome. Plus seeing other riders around me made me feel like I was part of something.  I’d see someone riding really fast and say, can I work harder and be at her/his level? YES. And I would.  It was like a community. I walked out of there feeling fit and exhausted.

But I have to be honest, the majority of the time I was spinning in both classes – I kept wondering: WHY does this cost $33?!

Yes. $33. The class itself is $30 and then, unless you have your own, you have to rent special shoes that clip into the bike for $3 a pop.

In full transparency, my first class was free since I went with my MOMs Club for a moms morning out (and a GREAT one at that!).  And my second class was also discounted since I went with my alma mater’s young alumni organization.  SO I have yet to pay the full $33 for a Soul Cycle experience.

I’m sure I will someday.  I liked the class well enough to go back and pay full price – but I can’t justify doing it on the regular.   Believe me, I do spend a good amount of $$ on fitness classes and gear so it’s not that I’m against spending the money.  $33 is just too much to me.  Especially when  there are far more workout opportunities available to me that cost much less – and many cost nothing at all. So for now, I’ll just keep jamming at home to the playlists on the SoulCycle Spotify account (which are awesome, btw).

[Images from SoulCycle’s website. I  was not compensated for this post. I am not responsible for the content of external links.]