SoulCycle / Variis
SoulCycle was on my regular training rotation when I lived in New York. There's no other class or brand like that, and as a result, it has amassed an iconic following over the years. In my opinion, it creates an immersive experience that you feel the moment you walk into the dark, candlelit studio that only intensifies throughout the class. The feeling continues as you slide through sprints and "dance" to killer playlists on your bike while a motivating teacher shouts out inspirational mantras.
With this in mind, I was fascinated by the introduction of the SoulCycle home bike, especially now that we're in the months pandemicand it doesn't look like I'm going to be visiting a spin studio anytime soon. Since SoulCycle is best known for this studio experience, I was wondering how that would affect a home bike.
Now that there is more Spin bikes People who are available in the market have options. Given that SoulCycle's bike is the same price as the new Peloton Plus bike (both cost $ 2,500), how do they compare and which one is right for you?
I haven't tried the Peloton Plus or Original yet Peloton bike At home, I took live peloton classes at the peloton studio in NYC. So I'm familiar with the class format and the Peloton app, but I haven't tested the Pelton bike in my same home environment as the SoulCycle bike. I'll share my experience of using the SoulCycle bike below and compare it to what we know about the Peloton from our CNET review, as well as research into the new Peloton Plus bike features.
SoulCycle / Variis
Delivery and setup
The delivery and set-up fee is included in the purchase of the SoulCycle bike, as is the case for Peloton. Usually a technician will deliver and assemble the bike at your home, but with COVID-19 this process is limited. Both SoulCycle and Peloton offer the option of assembling bicycles and storing them in front of your door for added security.
Ideally, all you have to do is slide the bike in and plug it in to get started. As I was pushing my bike in, I ran into some technical issues with the bike setup that prevented me from using it for a while. But the customer support team was very responsive and helpful, even guiding me through the hiccups via FaceTime.
I was immediately impressed with the bike's 21-inch high-resolution touchscreen, which looked and sounded great (even without the headphones). According to the company, the speakers should create a "surround sound" environment. You can pair bluetooth headphones with the bike, but I decided not to use them because no one was within earshot of the room where I placed the bike.
The screen is big enough that you can immerse yourself in class by my standards too. I'm having trouble exercising on a smaller screen like a tablet, phone, or even a computer screen. The tablet screen is also Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled so you can pair one too Heart rate monitor by bicycle.
To use the bike you have to pedal. You can opt for the SoulCycle At-Home shoes, which are $ 175 and don't come with a bike. The SoulCycle branded Spin shoes are not required, however, and you can use any pair of Spin shoes that are compatible with the LOOK Delta or SPD cleats (you can purchase these separately from the Spin shoes).
If you're looking for a bike that you can stow under a bed or stow away in a closet then this is not it. The bike weighs 142 pounds, is about five feet (62 inches) long, and doesn't fold or stow easily. When you buy the SoulCycle bike, you need to create a fair amount of space (I put my bike near a window in the corner of my living room) and plan for it to be a fixture rather than a blind object. The bike has wheels on the front end so you can lift and roll it from room to room. For me, an extra person was required to assist with lifting and rolling.
I wish I could compare the bike to the SoulCycle bikes in the studio, but it's been so long that I can't remember what the bike felt like. But I'll say that once I got the bike up and running, the seat adjustments, handlebar adjustments, and getting in and out of the bike were pretty easy. If you need help, there are guided videos displayed on the screen that will walk you through all of the initial setup of customizing your bike.
The SoulCycle class experience
To access the SoulCycle library of on-demand and live courses, you'll need to pay for a Variis membership, which is an additional $ 40 per month (Variis is the brand that runs the bike and digital platform manufactures). This is the same as the price of Peloton's all-access digital membership, which you need to purchase by bike, and gives you access to live and on-demand courses.
If you're familiar with SoulCycle classes, you can jump straight into the livestream or on-demand classes, each of which is different in length, difficulty, and theme. For people new to SoulCycle (or a little rusty like me), there are plenty of introductory videos on demand that teach you the basics of proper riding style or the different riding positions, as well as other movements you can make on the bike perform, such as Back and pushups.
Even if you are familiar with SoulCycle classes, the screen in the on-demand classes will switch from the studio and teacher view to a demo view, which shows you the correct shape for that section of the class. The bike also has a feature that allows you to link your Spotify account. So, if you come across a song you like during a class, you can add it to your Spotify. You can also access a freeride feature that lets you ride a bike while listening to music, or stream Netflix instead of an instructor-led class - a feature that you can only access from a peloton if you have it through the Peloton stream web browser.
SoulCycle is also testing a Studio Stream service that allows you to purchase the live SoulCycle streaming classes for $ 20 each to view on any screen. If you pay for the Variis app, you don't need it in addition to the app, as you get access to livestream classes. However, if you have another bike at home and want to try a live SoulCycle class, you can do so using the Studio Stream service.
SoulCycle is known for inspiring and motivating courses that you can experience at home. I really liked taking classes with familiar faces that I drove with in the New York studios. You can also see your stats on the screen and even get a report after class showing your "Beat Match". This percentage shows how well you have kept up with the music's adjusting your speed. The class I took wasn't easy - and while I used to go to SoulCycle studios, it definitely kicked my butt. When it was over, I was pleasantly surprised at how I could challenge myself at home, as I feared the lack of the studio environment would affect my motivation.
SoulCycle's combination of playlists, inspiring teachers, and cardio made me keep coming back to the studio when I could personally leave. When I finished my first grade at home, I got off my bike (and into my living room instead of a locker room). I felt just as close to the post-soul class endorphin as I did in eight months, which says a lot in the middle of a pandemic.
For who it is
There are a few key features that set the Peloton Plus bike apart from SoulCycle. The Peloton Plus bike has a slightly larger screen (23 inches) and rotates 360 degrees. If you just want to rotate you don't necessarily need this feature. However, if you want to do a spin class followed by yoga or strength training in the Peloton app, this feature allows you to rotate the screen to view it from your yoga mat. Peloton Plus also has an "auto-follow" function, with which the instructor can set and digitally control your bike resistance throughout the lesson.
The SoulCycle bike is ideal for SoulCycle fans who are familiar with the classes or for newbies who have always wanted to try it out. If you've never done SoulCycle before, I recommend checking out the classes in the Variis app first to see if it's your style before opting for the bike as it's an investment.
The SoulCycle bike and Peloton Plus are similar in terms of price and features, but what really sets them apart in my opinion is the style of the Spin class itself - the Peloton and SoulCycle are just different and resonate with people for different reasons.
Both the Variis and Peloton apps offer different class formats outside of the spin - and Variis is constantly expanding its list of popular fitness brands, including the recent announcement that the Rumble boxing studio is teaming up with Variis to stream classes. Since you have to commit to Variis or Peloton membership every month when you buy a bike, in addition to your preferred Spin courses, be sure to check out the individual app and class offers to find out what you can get the most out of.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions about a disease or health goals.