Let me preface this review with the fact that I was the GM of a boutique fitness studio for almost 5 years and before that I came from 16+ years in the Designer division with Nordstrom. All this to say, I understand that my expectations of quality and more importantly service are going to be a bit skewed. I know the level of customer service I put out as well as the quality of "product" I offered to my own clients, so I've come to expect that in return.
After a gracious invitation by Aaron to try a class and to invite my friends, 16 of my fitness fanatic friends and I came in on a Saturday morning (3/23) to try a class! Driving up you are instantly drawn to the large shiny glass walls/windows that display Edge Cycle's spacious lobby and front desk.
As soon as I entered, I was greeted by a young lady at the front desk who seemed genuinely happy to see me even though she was dealing with the hustle and bustle of our large group. She was able to keep a calm pulse on all of us 1st timers, get us our shoes, waivers and then seamlessly pass us over to Aaron. It was never a frazzled feeling which is always a good thing when you are trying something new.
Moving on...Aaron. Wow. Where do I start?!? He was the 2nd friendly face that I encountered once I stepped away from the front desk. As any gracious host would do when you are entering their "home" he made me feel so welcomed and showed me around. Again, I felt like he genuinely felt happy that my friends and I were there. I felt like I was entering a friend's home. Warm, comfortable and whatever insecurities I had walking in, they definitely melted away before I even stepped into class.
Aaron directed me to my bike and like a sci-fi movie I turned around to find that he somehow teleported his way over to his bike up front and in his place there was suddenly another staff member who appeared in front of me to help me with the settings of my bike!?!! It didn't take long for her to get all my settings in place and just when I thought she had left, I found her crouched down clicking my shoes into the clips of the pedals IN. THE. DARK! Bless her heart! It was all so smooth and effortless. The attitude was like "Oh NO problem, I GOT YOU!"
Now. On to the class. Oh where to begin?!?! Immediately the music held my attention. Just when I thought I didn't have anymore to give, the beat of music took over the beat of my heart. Aaron's playlist literally gave me LIFE as much as his energy did! His choreography and instruction was powerful and intense yet his voice inflection and enunciation was never sacrificed. I could understand everything he said (and he was doing a lot of the class with us! GOOD GRIEF! Is he even human?!?) The clarity of his instruction throughout class never wavered. This is something I have struggled with in other spin classes. Many times when the energy and music go up, the clarity and projection of the instructor's voice is sacrificed. Not the case with Aaron. I also appreciated that the choreo had less bells and whistles than other spin studio classes I've attended which resulted in a more efficient workout and less guesswork. I was able to fatigue my muscles and push past my limits before the next change. Aaron was great at cueing what was coming next early enough so I never felt like I was trying to catch up with the changes. Again I say, resulting in a much more efficient workout. When I use to train teachers, I would call it "turning on signal lights" early enough so that clients know what's coming - thus avoiding the "deer in the headlights" and stop to look around the room effect. Class was intense and I LOVE the arm work! There were just enough times during class where I felt like Aaron was trying to kill us (in the nicest way of course!) but he always knew when to bring us back up for air so that we had just enough in us to get to the next section of class. When class was over I had a moment of "Where am I? What's my name? Is there wheelchair service to the car?" All signs of an INCREDIBLE class!
Out in the lobby we congregated for group photos because if it's not on Insta did it really happen? What I love even more about Aaron (and the staff) is they never separated themselves from us. No one had the untouchable "celebrity status" ego. No one retreated behind the front desk and went into a VIP conversation amongst themselves. In fact, the front desk staff and Aaron encouraged photos and engaged in conversation with us.
You wouldn't know who the actual owner of Edge Cycle was that morning because the entire team as a whole and individually took ownership of every interaction and treated us as if it were their home we were in. Something that speaks volumes of the strong leadership they have and the quality of good, kind human beings they allow on their team. Bravo Aaron and the entire Edge Cycle team! We will definitely be back! Wishing you many years of success! xx, Michelle + the G3 family! xoxoxo read more