@TuesdayPause | #GoDiscover post by Kristin.

With fitness topping the list of personal resolutions, especially this time of year, Hudson has a new venue to check out. CycleBar has been up and running for a week now, offering free classes through January 24th to encourage any and all to come give it a try (free trial period has come to an end).

This morning was my second visit. I thought I’d share my impressions about CycleBar and encourage others to go see for themselves. One thing I can guarantee, you will feel like you got a great workout!

My hope with this post is to communicate as much information as I can without requiring you to read through a bunch of prose, so I will use bullet points. I hope you find this helpful.

Cool Stuff about CycleBar

• Very well staffed—helpful and friendly
• Not intimidating—kudos again to staff
• On-line reservations—pick your bike in advance
• Bikes are outstanding—very smooth riding
• Pedals with two clip-in styles—if you own cycling shoes
• Clip-in shoes provided free—if needed (comfortable & disinfected after each use)
• Water bar—both chilled and room temperature
• Bright, clean atmosphere up front—friendly and inviting
• Darker, “bar” feel in the cycle studio—helps focus attention on ride / not watch others
• Dance-club quality to sound system—song choice to match
• Music well choreographed—used to motivate / push riders to max intensity, you will sweat…A LOT!
• Stadium-style set up (they call it a cycle theater)—bikes on 3 elevations, increasing rider’s visibility of instructor
• Lighting—color changes throughout workout to enhance the vibe/fun
• Smart bikes—track your stats (and class rank), email you results within minutes
• Stats/ranking—intermittently posted to cycle-room monitors as motivation (you can opt out)
• Upper body not forgotten—each bike equipped with 4-lb & 6-lb weight bars for arm exercises
• Rolled, cold, aroma-therapy towels—offered by staff member post workout, a welcome treat as you emerge back into the bright lights to see the sweat streaming down

So how does CycleBar compare to other indoor cycling experiences?

While the experience will be different for everyone, for me, the high-energy environment definitely motivated me to work harder. I have taken spinning classes at other venues, plus we have a bike trainer at home that I use fairly consistently. But, I’d have to say, that I’ve rarely worked at the same level of intensity as I did during these two visits to CycleBar.

There’s more I could write, but I’d rather hear your impressions. If you’ve been, share your thoughts. If you haven’t yet—go, and then chime in.

I’ll get the conversation started with these two observations…

One: drink lots of water, both during and after class. I feel a bit dehydrated now, and woke-up three times for water the night after my first ride. Yes, expect to sweat that much.

Two: if you prefer to be under a fan—it gets steamy in there—bikes 37, 38, 39 are good choices. Or maybe call to ask which bikes are situated below the other two fans in the room. (There are only three ceiling fans.) I was not under one during my first class, and I certainly noticed the difference.

Finally, my intent with this blog is to encourage others to #TakeTime and #GoDiscover—to engage in opportunities that surround YOU! Obviously, only those close to Hudson can go try out this new fitness boutique in town.

But I’d like to inspire all, not just northeast Ohio locals.

So, if you can’t try this venue, find somewhere close to you to try something new. Never tried indoor cycling? Find a place—go try it! You live somewhere where it’s warm enough in January? Find a bike rental shop and ride outside!

Then share that experience with others…
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Things to Know Before You Go

Hours: Varies by day, visit CycleBar class schedule.
Cost: Unlimited monthly memberships / 5- or 10- or 20-ride packages. Visit CycleBar Buy Credits.
Helpful Info: First time? Visit New to CycleBar.

TP’s Tips

1. If your vision is like mine, you may need your readers to see the stats (RPM, power, etc) on the bike’s computer, and you will definitely need them to set the combination on your locker (the numbers are TINY—yes, typesetting pun intended!).
2. The locker room/lobby is quite small considering 45 bikes in the theater; so bring along your patience, you will not be bolting out of there aprés-ride if you have used a locker to store your belongings.

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