I came to SoulCycle for a Friday afternoon class through ClassPass. I've been to a bunch of other spin studios in the area and I thought this one was pretty much on par. The instructor was really energetic and I definitely got a great workout. The playlist was also really awesome. I appreciated some of the small touches around the studio, such as the candles and changes in lighting during the class. The bathroom was also stocked with various items you might need like razors and such. My one main issue was that after your first class, you have to pay to rent shoes. I haven't seen that at the other spin studios I've been to, so that was a bit of a disappointment. Otherwise, everything was clean and the staff was friendly, so I'd recommend for anyone looking to try a class! read more

SoulCycle Back Bay - Studio - Cycling Classes Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

My friend is a huge SoulCycle fan, has something like 1000 classes under her belt. So I went with her to try it out. I am an avid Group Exercise class goer. I've been to all types. I really wanted to like Soul Cycle but I hated it. Music: So loud, I HAD to wear the offered ear plugs. I've been in front sections of concerts and didn't need ear plugs. Class was overly dramatic. I don't get it. At all. And ESPECIALLY not for Soul Cycle prices, my goodness. Whatever the Soul Cycle world is offering is lost on me. read more

I tried my first SoulCycle class this week because I've heard so much about it over the years and I've always wanted to try it out. For my class it was a Taylor Swift themed class, which I knew I was going to love. That I think really made the experience for me because the playlist was awesome and because I am comfortable in spin classes. I was able to just follow along and get a great workout in. I did enjoy how the class has dimmed lights, and you're able to just tune out and focus on you while kind of being lost in the sea of everyone around you. I guess that's the soul part. I also liked that they provide each bike a towel at the beginning of class. And they do have great amenities in the restroom for cleaning up and going about the rest of your day. Now a couple of things I personally wasn't a super fan of: 1) how loud the class was. The music was blasting, and while I was having a good time, I found myself having a hard time hearing both during the class, and I left the class with my ears ringing. So for me a tip for the next time we'll just be to wear earplugs. 2) you are very close to the people around you and you can't do anything about it. I didn't mind too much that the bikes are assigned to each person. It makes sense for classes that have 50+ people in them like SoulCycle does. However, you are very close to the people around you, so if you have any sort of space issues, this may not be the best class for you. It worked out for me but if you come in after a lot of people are set up and you're in the back you definitely have to do some maneuvering to get to your bike. 3) the cost. Was it the best cycling class I've ever taken? Honestly, no. The cycling experience for me was awesome from a workout standpoint and the class had great vibes. You have the ability to make the work out what you want from the resistance to taking your own modifications. That said, you can definitely find other cycling studios that will give you a great workout, great vibes, and a similar experience for half the cost. But SoulCycle offers a great option if you can afford it and there's one close to you. there is a hefty price tag on these classes and memberships. On top of that if you don't own your own pair of cycling shoes, you will have to rent one of their shoes for $3 each class. That excessive cost is personally a major qualm for me because I don't think fitness should be that inaccessible for the majority of people but that's for another day. 4) can be offputting for beginners. Again, my experience was pretty great but I have to say if I had not had years of cycling experience, this class would not have been very friendly or accommodating for beginners, who might be new to cycling. I'm not talking about level of fitness, but just the comfort around cycling. I got there and was confirmed at the front desk and even by the teacher that it was my first class at SoulCycle. I was not offered any instruction on how to set up my bike, or clip in or clip off. I was never even asked if these were things that I might have wanted help with. I actually wasn't even engaged with by anyone in the class or by the teacher outside of confirming that it was my first time when I checked. For me it wasn't a problem because I'm comfortable in a cycling setting and I would have made sure to ask if I was confused, but I recognize that that's not always the case for everyone. In other classes, I've been in outside of SoulCycle. Typically the instructor will walk around to make sure any newcomers are set up and comfortable with the equipment. I was very aware that if I didn't know how to set up my bike, or was maybe newer to cycling in general I would've felt very lost in this class and intimidated by the lack of attention given to the newcomers. Overall for me, I would probably go again if it works out for my schedule. I don't see myself paying for any of the super expensive memberships anytime soon but I'm glad I gave it a try. I also would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to give it a try. I just am sharing my experience and noting things that I wish I would've known going into it so that I could set my expectations a little bit better in terms of the actual experience. read more

JAMES' CLASS - WHAT. THE. HELL. JUST HAPPENED. Hands down, the best SC teacher there is in Boston and NYC. I go regularly in Brooklyn and his class brought energy, gospel, dancing (on bikes), towel throwing, sick play list, and amazing energy. I went on to re-evaluating my entire career after that class and wanting more. Sadly he only teaches rarely (maybe he is paid for as a teacher with all wait listed classes?). He does random Tuesdays at 12:15pm but book in advance 'cause this shit will fill up fast. I am so inspired and worth every penny to go to his class and get your ass kicked, your mood lifted, and your dance on! ~Tamara read more

If you're reading this review, then I recommend you just take a SoulCycle class and see what it's all about for yourself! Some people love it, some people hate it. Some think it's an overhyped cult, and others call it life changing. SoulCycle has a very distinct style, and it's just worth seeing it for yourself. Personally, I enjoy it enough to come back every now and then. The "Soul" aspect of SoulCycle is done very well by most instructors -- class can be a great mental break from the outside world and opportunity to reflect, especially since instructors say inspirational/motivational things throughout the class. The cycle workout itself isn't always the hardest workout ever, especially if you are new and can't hit all of the choreography. But as with all spin classes, you can control your intensity with the resistance dial. If you're new, then I'd recommend trying more than 1 instructor before giving up on SoulCycle. Each instructor has their own style. My first class was with Maddy. When I checked in for the class, someone at the front desk noted that "she is a great instructor to have your first class with", and I completely agree! The space itself cramped. Be prepared for a lot of people in a small space if there is a class before or after the one you're taking! But there are plenty of amenities -- there is a locker room with bathrooms, showers, and toiletries (shampoo, condition, body wash, face wash, dry shampoo, etc.). **STUDENTS! There is a student discount of $20/class. Makes it WAY more affordable and comparable to other spin studios. read more

White glove service I do enjoy spin but like sleep even better. I attended a 6AM spin class with my colleagues solely because so many of them were going and I had FOMO. I had a spectacular time and a great workout. SoulCycle was not as precious as I was expecting from my impression created solely by pop culture commentary. I like that they give you shoes, water and help you set up your bike. I have special needs and needed the staff to come by several times and they were extremely accommodating of my bourgie self. I do worry about the potential for injury for those who try to keep up with the head flipping and sashaying choreography #spincarefully. Thankfully I am grown and not trying to impress. An added plus is that the room is dark with strobe lights. It is a great workout and I was drenched. Definitely not for epileptics. read more

I don't understand the hype. Having done spin classes at all of the studios around Boston via ClassPass, my wife and I decided to try to intro 3-class offer from SC (which is still about 50% more $ than typical ClassPass prices). We tried a couple out of state studios first, which were good but nothing special and had one class left that we used at the Back Bay SoulCycle. First, it is extremely cramped. Jamming 56 bikes into such a tiny space is ridiculous. Second, the circulation in the room is non-existent. So, if you get stuck near someone who is, shall we say, less than fastidious with their hygiene, you might have a very malodorous experience. As for the instructor, she was good, not great. I'd rank her to the middle/lower part of the pack of all instructors I've had (probably a total of 50-60 different instructors). The sound system is decent but again, nothing special. Finally, I brought my own shoes but my wife used theirs. SC is the ONLY studio in Boston that actually charges you ($3) to use their shoes. That is ridiculous, considering most people are paying $30-33 to take the class in the first place. I don't understand what the hype is. I'll stick to other studios in the Pru and Ink Block. read more

overall 3.5 stars Pros - Their service is very friendly and helpful. The workouts are also killer - I'm talking drenched in your sweat and the music they play is rave-tastic. Each locker has a USB plug to charge your phone. I definitely gave the Chestnut Hill location 5 stars after my first class at soul and my first spin class in general (too excited), but after going to several spin studios in the Boston area now (ie. B/Spoke, Flywheel, REPS, BFX, VeloCity) I don't think it's worthy of a 5 star review. Cons - Been to two classes w/ 2 diff instructors so far and they have both started late! Which means if you have plans after, you probably have to skip stretching at the end. They should really treat stretching as part of the class you're paying for and not as a treat at the end if you have time for it. For a studio that won't let people in class 10 minutes late, but start their classes late, that's a no-no for me. Benefit of the doubt: they're new and still perfecting flipping the studio read more

Holy shit. Soul cycle was terrifying. I went with a group from work for a free class (thankfully, since drop-ins apparently cost over $30) on night after work. It was just as loud, scary, and hard as I'd been warned...and I was sweating before class even started. After an hour (felt like an eternity), we were set free. It was a great workout (doing pushups on a bike while spinning was a new experience for me), but I don't think I'd have the stamina or mental toughness to go frequently. Also, the clip-in shoes were impossible to get out of! I guess they really want to make sure you don't duck out early. read more

I have been looking to diversify my workouts and thought I'd give Soul Cycle a try as I had been getting bored with yoga and the gym and thought maybe if I got into something new and exciting, I'd get myself working out more. While I liked the class I took here, I am not sure that I'll be Soul Cycling a lot because it is really freakin' expensive! Like over $30 a class, and you have to pay extra to rent shoes ($3) each time if you don't have your own. Soul Cycle is definitely fun and I loved the music they played. It's fast paced and high intensity. The ladies at the front desk were super nice and accommodating in getting me registered in their computer system, helping me with the shoes, showing me the lockers and the locker room and getting me set up on the bike. It's also really sleek and clean. I wish more yoga places could be like this! I wish I'd arrived a little sooner to the class though because I don't think I fully grasped how to change the resistance on the bike and modify the intensity. The way it was set up, I felt like it was a little too easy to pedal and I could have gotten a better work out if I'd known more what I was doing. The instructor was pretty high energy but it wasn't intimidating. I made a pact with myself that as long as I stayed on the bike and kept pedaling, I was doing a good job. I was a little confused at some of the moves they were doing but just tried to follow along as best I could and keep pedaling. I especially enjoyed the part of the class where they did some exercises on the bike with hand weights. The only thing that seemed a little odd to me was that the instructor would move a candle around the room randomly. The bikes are packed in close together- why is there an open flame moving around? I can understand having the candles for atmosphere and aromatherapy purposes, but moving them during the class just seemed weird. I ended up purchasing their introductory package and now have 3 more classes to go to. I think this would be fun every once in awhile, but the price is just too prohibitive to make this a regular thing for me. read more

Came here for a ride a few weeks ago. Was late and missed my time by 12min, but they were able to put me on the wait list for the next one. Instructor was pretty good. Free wifi and plenty of showers and lockers. read more

Not a fan of SoulCycle! I have been to a few spin studios in the city and this just does not compare! I just don't understand the obsession with SoulCycle! It has been too hyped up by celebrities and the media. I did not have a great experience at this location! I was not expecting to be spending $30 for a class and $3 for shoe rentals only to be cramped in a small spin studio, rubbing elbows with the person next to me while I am trying to enjoy my spin sesh. Most spin studios are 1/3 to 1/2 the price and shoe rentals are usually free! They really did a good job cramming 50+ bikes in super small room. Getting to your bike requires some twisting and shimmying, which I guess is a good warm up before the spin session. When you sign up for a class you have to reserve your bike. This can be a good idea if you find a spot you like in the room and you can coordinate with your friends to be next to each other. The spin instructor was pretty awesome which made up for the situation at least! The locker area is quite spacious in comparison to the size of the spin room. The workers are also super friendly which is awesome. read more

I miss the old soul! The vibes, the consistency, the pack. The new manager seems frazzled and the other girls who work there just seemed bored. The instructors seem over it. With less than 10 people coming to class and it costing $35, you'd think they would at least smile at you as you walked in? read more

I never thought I would try SoulCycle, but I am so glad I decided to try it. Soul is absolutely addicting! The Back Bay studio is very nice - I like it better than Chestnut Hill because I feel like there's slightly more space/lockers, even though the store area is basically a wall. Maddy is by far my favorite instructor. She makes you work but makes sure you're having a blast while doing it. Her class always ends with some sort of inspirational message and leaves you smiling as you walk out the door. It's a great way to start your day! read more

My two teenage girls and I went on a recent Sunday morning. Lanye was our instructor. The room was half full. If you've never been to SoulCycle, it is cycling on steroids. The room is small but there are many bikes. The music is loud and the lights are dim. If you didn't know better, you'd think you were at a disco. On this particular day, the instructor was hard to understand and took as much time looking at himself in the mirror as he did instructing the class. I've had better SoulCycles and I've had better spin classes. But it was fun. Go check it out. read more

This review is for people who already know they love Soul Cycle. If you don't like Soul Cycle, this spot won't change your mind. The layout of this studio is perfect. It still gets a little crowded near the lockers, but there is so much more room just past them. Finally a place to take off my sweaty shoes and not have to worry about knocking down every person in an elbow throwing distance. And those bathrooms/showers? YES!!!! I like the tight room set-up, but it does weird me out that there is only one exit used. Music is loud (a must have for SC) and the instructors are on point. If parking was as easy at Chestnut Hill, this studio would be my home base. LOVE! read more

I would give soul cycle 5 stars if it wasn't so expensive . I have to admit I'm a convert . I love spinning and I like my music loud, funky housey so Soul cycle fits the bill. I used to go to Chestnut Hill so I was excited that the Back Bay location was opening up. The work out Is intense and I have to admit some of the moves boarder on being unsafe? ( like Doing push-ups on the handle bar then clapping your hands while spinning fast! ) however it's a great work out , fun and the new-age mantras are kind of inspiring and motivating . The facility is super clean and the staff is very attentive. The clientele is mostly female so there is plenty of space in the male locker room. As for instructors, Sal is my favorite and super motivating ! read more

It was our only class while on a 1 day trip in Boston. We had just taken SoulCycle classes for the first time ever a few days ago in Midtown Manhatten NYC, so we have something to compare or go off of. Back Bay/Boston is just like Bryant Park location - clean and similar facility, and same studio set up. For the complaints about the cramped room, that seems to be the SoulCycle formula - it's the same setup in NYC and I'm sure the same where I am from in Los Angeles. It works - you just need to focus on you and your ride. Thanks for a great class at 7am this morning with Maddy! read more

SoulCycle Back Bay - Cycling Classes Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I checked out SoulCycle during their free first class promotion in the beginning of the new year. After hearing so much about this place, I had some pretty high expectations. I mean, the reservation email I received told me to "get ready to find my SOUL"! and if I'm theoretically paying $33 a class, it better meet my expectations. In terms of the class itself, it was a great workout. The instructor pushes you hard, the music was great, and there was a good amount of variety in the spin class to make it fun and not monotonous. But the space. The bikes are packed in there like sardines and it feels like everyone is on top of each other. I get it, real estate must be expensive in Back Bay, but couldn't you have spared taking out a few bikes in exchange for a bit more personal space? Also, the layout of the bikes make it very hard to find your bike since there is no space to cross over horizontally. You can only walk up and down the aisle unless you want to literally hop over other people's bikes. Even entering the studio, there is an immediate bottleneck of people waiting for classes and coming out of classes due to the narrow hallway of lockers and the tiny reception area. Ok, onto customer service. I've called a couple times to make my reservation and no problems there. Friendly, quick service. But at the studio, I made the mistake of not signing in my name after returning my first-time waiver form. So, when I was on my bike, one of the employees was very rude in explaining to me why my bike was released. I understand the purpose of this policy, but I made sure to come 15 minutes early to the class and during which, no one told me to sign in. I thought by returning my form, it was implied, but guess not. Maybe that person was having a bad day, or many other people were making the same mistake I was. Regardless, I don't think he should have had an attitude about it...definitely a damper on the whole experience. Would I come to this studio and pay full price? Probably not. I've been to many other spin studios in Boston and in my opinion, it's not worth the hype. But, if you are a fan of spinning, then at least give it a try, then decide for yourself. read more

Came for Yelp Fit Club mostly to see what happens inside the dark dark room....I knew it would be dark but was still shocked at how dark it was!! And they really have candles, like in the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. The strobe lights that come on to some beats freaked me out because I have a few friends with epilepsy. The lockers are small, so I wonder what people coming from work do with the work clothes, gym bag, regular bag, lunch box, winter coat, winter boots, etc...The bathrooms/shower area is really nice, but small. I got the feeling that you were encouraged to leave and not shower there due to the size. The staff are really friendly and welcoming. I like how the bikes don't have levels and they say to just turn it up a bit or a lot and you get to decide how much that really is. Much better than 'lets go to level 15! wooooo' and you know you can't do that. It's encouraging. read more

I wasn't really thrilled with the workout or the set up of soul cycle. There is a definite culture that goes along with the place- part fashion show, part corporate monster. The very high price of 30 bucks for about an hour doesn't get you much real estate- the bikes are packed together sardine-style. This along with the fact that you have to fumble your way to your bike in cycling shoes in a darkly-lighted room makes for a really awkward set-up. Aside from that, I found the work-out to be awkward too- there was a lot of dancing around on the bike, changing butt and hand positions- I felt like I was always a half step behind the instructor. The instructor came off more psychotic than enthusiastic- sort of like a cute drill instructor in spandex. On the plus side the customer service was very good and the facilities were really nice and clean- but way too small for the number of people trying to use them. I don't think I'll be back. And PS- give them a fake email or be prepared for a lot of spam emails from soul cycle. read more

I also came in for yelp fit club and had a great time. The staff were super nice and extremely helpful for first timers, and the instructor had that perfect amount of energy to keep you going. Liah was an amazing instructor and maybe it's just me, but I love her voice, which is a total plus especially since the instructors talk to you throughout the course. Try getting a class with her if you can! Just be careful if you have allergies to perfumes/candles. I didn't mind it too much, but if you have a sensitive nose, I'd suggest bringing in some allergy medicine just in case! read more

Even though I have found amazing cycling classes in the heart of Boston, I was eagerly anticipating another SoulCycle location after their opening in Chestnut Hill. I attended Liah's class on Sunday, and loved it. She was full of energy and truly motivated the room - she even gave extra encouragement to those who were new to the class. I would definitely take her class again. This location is laid out better than Chestnut Hill, in my opinion. There is a fairly decent retail section, followed by a hallway of lockers that lead into a larger room filled with lockers. If it is your first time, walk right through that hallway to the end - it is way less crowded and there are tons of lockers ready for you to use! All lockers have USB ports inside for you to charge electronic devices, which is genius. The showers and bathrooms are impeccable, as I would expect when you are paying $30 a class. Even though I can't justify the price to become a regular SoulCycler, this location is worth the occasional splurge. read more

First let me say, I'm reviewing this after receiving a free class. Now that that's out of the way, soulcycle is a dance party without the drinking, plus being trapped on a bike, and ending with a confidence booster. The facility is beautiful. It's clean, there's free lockers with a charging port, the bathrooms have showers, razors, hair tyes, q tips. There only one cycling studio bit there seems to be a ton of bikes. Also theres a towel on your bike when you start. You have shoes which you can rent there and you can buy a water bottle for $2 Our instructor was Liah and she was amazing. Her energy is seriously what kept me going. From her playlist to her switching on and off the lights to dancing on and off the bike. She even joined us on one of the class bikes. She was awesome. The class itself consists of spinning (duh) and there's also a weight portion in addition to other moves like doing push ups on the bike. I would say I had a tough time because I did a spin class the day before and my butt was so sore. Do NOT do a spin class two days in a row if you're a beginning. Also I think my shoes were the wrong size or are wide or something because my feet were in a lot of pain. But I do think these were unusual circumstances. Overall I had fun in this class and thought it was a good workout but am not sure if I'd come back given the steep $30 a class charge. But if you can dish that out, go for it! read more

Great place to just forget about everything and focus on you it's an awesome way to wake up and just be in a better mood I loved every minute of Annie's class definitely will be back soon!! read more

My first Soul Cycle class was with Sal and it was a blast - the class flew by and was a great work-out. Having said that, the past few classes I've taken with other instructors have been underwhelming. Way too much movement -- most of class out of the saddle, tap backs and push-ups at paces too fast to maintain form or actually be working the core and arm muscles (my lower back actually hurt after the last class for the first time in a decade of doing spin class at many different studios on both coasts). It gets extremely hot and stuffy in the class, yet the AC always seems to miraculously turn on towards the end of class. Overall, the heat and constant movement make it appear that you're getting a good work out, but it didn't feel very challenging. Sometimes the vibe seems very artificial - I don't know if instructors receive a verbatim script from corporate to recite but it just never feels genuine, for example, phrases like "when we work together as one our power is limitless, etc." There are a lot of solid spin studios in Boston that provide a great workout at a much more reasonable price point. - For a new facility, the locker area is REALLY congested - They really pack you in like sardines - 56 people per class, which compromises the workout (unable to fully do arm exercises without bumping into neighbor) - Classes get very hot and stuffy making riders queasy, yet AC works perfectly towards end of class - why isn't air on consistently? - Music is SUPER loud - yes, I know they have free ear plugs, but we had trouble hearing after class and it is at damaging decibel levels. - $30 classes + $3 shoe rental, it gets pricey fast for only a so-so workout read more

Soul Cycle is a dance party on a bike. It is so fun to cycle to the beat. The instructors here are amazing, they have SOUL. They are inspirational, they make me pedal harder. Well, why the 3 stars then? Bathrooms: The locker room situation is a bit confusing. In between classes, its quite a disaster. There are long lines for the bathrooms. There isn't actually a proper changing area, just a bench inside the bathroom. Everyone standing in line can see you change, which is awkward. Or are you supposed to change inside the toilet cubicle? Because the lines are so long, you might be late for class. My recommendation is to come in your work out clothes. The shower lines can be long too so shower at home. Shoe rental: I wish cycling shoes were included. I don't own my own pair and each time you rent them, its $3, which adds up. The Water Situation: They charge for water too- bring your own water bottle. There is a water fountain outside the bathroom. Bring a water bottle that is slim. I brought a Nalgene and it was too fat to fit into the water holder on the bike. Towels: They provide towels, you don't need to bring your own. Lockers: There are lockers that have locks on them, you don't have to bring your own lock. Reserving a bike: I was late in reserving a bike and was wondering why a certain corner of the room had a bunch of empty bikes. Turns out that area was extra hot. It was under the fan, but the fan blew past my head, so I didn't get to benefit. My interesting experience... Well, all the classes I've taken were wonderful. I love the instructors a lot! One day, I went for a class. I think the instructor might have been injured so there was a different person cycling on behalf of her. Well, this person cycling was very good at what she did- she was almost perfect. She could do push ups perfectly, she was able to swing right and left perfectly. She knew the different positions and did them with precision. Here is the problem- she never smiled, she looked pissed off the whole time. Even though the instructor was inspiring, looking at this girl was pretty depressing, she was not fun to watch at all. After class, I was standing in line for the shower. That girl appeared at the back of the line and started screaming at everybody, and started complaining that the line was too long. Well, we are all in line, so you gotta wait! I was a little shocked by her attitude. Its not just about how perfectly you cycle, its about attitude on and off the bike. I would only go back if this girl isn't going to be cycling on stage. I don't pay $30+ to watch someone uninspiring, who is rude, who will complain and scream in the bathroom. I would have given Soulcycle 4 stars but because of this experience, I am downgrading my review to 3 stars. read more

Came here last night for a women in sales event by Salsify so not sure if things were a little different than a normal class! I'v been to most of the spin studios around Boston and was very excited to see what all the hype was about! The studio itself is very modern and does make you feel like you are at a fancy spa but the all white walls and the motivational quotes do get you pumped up to sweat! The bathrooms are fully stocked with all high end products so this would be a great place to come before work- though I only saw 2 full showers so after a morning class I imagine there could be a wait! The bikes are soul cycle official and slightly different from all the other bikes around Boston! I found the bike a little uncomfortable since the handlebars could only go up so high and I am very tall! The bikes are also much closer together than I am used to! The water bottle and weight holders are also in different places and I was worried they would fall out! The instructor Liah was very motivational and I can honestly say this class went by super fast! When she said we were already on the last song I was shocked but ready because I was dripping sweat! Overall it would be annoying to have to pay the $3 for shoes every time but it was a great class thanks to Liah and I would go back if I didnt use classpass! read more

Pros: high energy, clean, plenty of amenities Cons: very expensive, cramped, cult'ish Summary: fun experience, great workout and instructor, but too expensive and not my scene tl;dr I went here as a first timer where you receive a $10 discount on entry and free shoes, so $20 total versus $33. Walking in, you can see it's clean and classy. It's well lit, there are free lockers, clean bathrooms (they had razors, shaving cream, band aids, and more which was awesome), showers and towels. The cult'ish experience begins when class is about to start. The majority of the class is attended by early-mid 20s females dressed in bright Lulu outfits or t-shirts with motivational phrases. The high energy banter waiting for the doors for class to open took some patience. As class transition, get prepared for close quarters. There are about 100 people in a hallway that is more adequately sized for 35. Going into the spin studio, it's tight... very tight. I was in the back row and could touch the ceiling, person in front of me, and either side. It also got hot fast... I think the ventilation was poor, or I didn't know I was signing up for a hot yoga hybrid class. The instructor, Erin, was a crazy... in a good way. She pushed the class, focused on success and motivation and was hard on slackers. She kicked ass on the bike herself and had high energy through the whole thing. I've been to spin classes at several different gyms and Erin was probably the best overall. read more

Facilities: The actual studio is extremely nice! As described in the other reviews, it is very ample, clean and modern. Amenities included are towels, lotion/deodorant/earplugs etc etc. However shoe rental is $3 (after first time) and water $2 (I think). They do have lockers (with USB charging) and showers. It would be helpful if these were listed in their website. Same as Flywheel, they do use deodorizers... yes, nice smell but for someone with chemical sensitivities this is a drawback (and I also don't need the extra dose of phthalates). Bikes: In spite of being a regular spinner, I did feel uncomfortable in this bike. The instructor helped me set it up, but still felt unusually uncomfortable (handles, seat angle). I looked into the description from Villancy Design group to figure out if maybe my discomfort was just lack of fitness (!). Doesn't seem to be the case. I will have to give it another try to discard that it was something with that specific bike. Workout: Instructor was super nice and motivating. It was a decent workout with good music (sound system helps!), but burned less calories than other spin classes I have taken (Flywheel, BSpoke). In conclusion, I have been to Soul Chesnut Hill, Recycle (Newbury, Tremont), Velocity, Pursuit, Flywheel, BSpoke.... and was really expecting a bit more from this new Soul location (specially considering a $30/class). BSpoke remains my favorite place to spin, but will have to give this place a second try. read more

SoulCycle Back Bay - USB charging in lockers - Cycling Classes Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I started going to SoulCycle just this year, and I'm SO happy I got over my "I hate spin" kick, because of soul, I love it! I love the good vibes in class, the music choices, and of course the teachers that push you past your limits. I feel so good after every class, even if I'm having the worst day - immediate mood changer!! read more

I live 30 seconds from the Beacon Hill SoulCycle but I came to Back Bay to try Dillon's class. He was great! I think the last two songs make or break a class and when he played Lauv's I Like Me Better, I almost cried tears of joy. This studio is also a lot bigger than Beacon Hill with separate bathrooms for men and women. I'd definitely come here again for Dillon's class. That said, I still love love love the Beacon Hill instructors - Maddy, Sara, James, Johnny, Lisa and Liah!! read more

I'll be back for sure! Amazing class. High energy, GREAT playlist, and Daniel is an AMAZING instructor. Can't wait to get back in the studio! Like a dance party and a therapy session on a bike read more

There's definitely a culture that follows SoulCycle and I guess I don't fit into that culture. Luckily I was able to come in for a free class Monday at 6AM. Here's the quick downlow: Pros: -Friendly greeters who helped set our bikes up and you also get your measurements sent to you (that's if you plan on coming again..) -super bright inside which gives off a energetic vibe especially early in the AM -lockers and shoe rental were free (i guess shoes for first timers) -glad we got towels to use during the workout -good thing it was not that crowded in the morning else I'd feel claustrophobic with all the bodies close to me in the room. It was already close enough that i felt the guy's booty was right in front of my face. Cons: -Phones got taken away and there was 15 min left before class started. We didn't know about this policy and the guy helping us set up our bikes took them and told us to get it at the front desk after class. I get that during class you shouldnt be using your phone but 15 minutes before class starts?! -The instructor was just ok. I didn't like that he made us do bicep curls. Biceps are the tiniest muscles to work out, you're better off working out the stronger and bigger arm muscles so when I did something else, he called me out to get me to do biceps again. I get that it's the instructor's class but I wasn't harming anyone by doing a different arm exercise because it's benefitting my body, not his nor anyone else. I wonder if he would do the same if I sat down? Would he call me out to stand? hmm.. -All the stinking spam you get after signing up. It's never ending. -Price per class - def not worth it. read more

I have been spinning in and around the city on and off for a few years now. I have probably been to most of the studios in the area. Came to SoulCycle for the first time somewhat recently and all the staff were super friendly, helpful, and made me feel comfortable. Facilities are fine, I mostly just use the lockers. I come in my workout clothes and leave and shower at home. Now, for the QUALITY of the class. I have taken a few instructors and so far NO ONE compares to James L. I mean there is a reason why every single class of his has a waitlist, allllll the time. I snagged a spot in one of his classes and Oh Em Gee, blown away. He made the class worth every single penny of that $30. He was part DJ, part spin instructor/fitness coach, part therapist, part life coach, part really awesome guy. He had a way that made me feel like I was really there for me, not giving a sh*t what anyone around me looked/biked like. He made me want to work harder, really dig deep and find the reason I come to class, and made me want to eat healthy after and take care of my body! I wish he taught more classes!! James, THANK YOU, thank you for giving 1000% during your classes, it really makes a difference. read more

I like this soul cycle. $3 shoes $3 water. I took and Uber so I am not sure about parking. Front desk is pretty nice although they were talking when i arrived so i had to ask to be helped. Bathroom clean and great bathroom products. I recommend Soul Cycle Back Bay :) read more

Lisa rocks. Great ride!! Decent gym layout. Everything you have come to expect at Soul is here. I was from out of town and dropped in for my fix. Google maps got me there but it took some circling of the building to find the place. Look forward to returning on my next Boston trip. read more

Nice looking studio but the worst spin studio I've been to in Boston for a workout in my opinion. I went on a free promo and there is NO way I would pay $30 for a class there. I spin regularly, and I was not impressed at all. The instructor was terrible. She didn't say anything for 80% of the song so we were just riding with 0 resistance cues, no choreography, nothing. I was looking around like "am I the only one who thinks this is terrible?" until I realized I was in the middle of a cult who probably thought it was the best workout they've ever gotten. I would've been better off riding a bike at a gym with headphones in for 45 minutes, honestly. Also- it was a MILLION DEGREES IN THERE. Everyone else seemed to think that was normal, so I'm guessing that's the usual temp, but that is extremely unsafe. It's about the same temp as when I went to Flywheel and their HVAC system was broken. But, it also could've been the fact that we were packed like sardines in this Soul Cycle room. Thank God no one was in front of me, because their butt would've been basically in my mouth. I understand studios in Back Bay are usually small, but if other studios in Boston can make it work without making me feel like I'm going to eat someone's fart, so can Soul Cycle. In the end, I would recommend going to Flywheel, The Handle Bar, or Turnstyle if you want a good spin class. I was literally counting down the minutes until I got out of that class. Did NOT live up to the hype! read more

I've been coming here for almost a year and this is my home base. The place is very clean, the staff is extremely welcoming. I go routinely see Charlotte and it's different every class. She knows how to motivate and get you to press your limits. I am very grateful that I've been able to finally stay consistent with something and it always be a journey! read more

Being in customer service myself I never like to leave a negative review but here goes. I want to give soul cycle five stars and I probably would if I had shown up to the first class I booked with the studio - however - for a place that prides themselves on positivity they might want to educate their reception staff on what that means. The person who fielded my call was really short with me, seemed a little put out by my questions and was not helpful. I almost felt like apologizing before I hung up for being a bother! Anyway $20 lost for the ride I didn't attend but I guess the experience saved me from any future investment. I'll just stick with north end yoga, thanks! read more