Soul Cycle Review and a treat!

Happy Fourth Of July Weekend! I can't believe it's here already! What do you have planned? I'm sure lots of barbeques, drinks, beach, friends and family time. That's exactly what my weekend looks like. 

Let's rewind to yesterday, I went to the beach for a couple of hours with two of my most favorite people. There's nothing better than spending time with friends you have known for 15 years, where there is absolutely no pressure, judgement or anything else negative. I love when I go home from a good day and I just feel so relaxed and high on life from spending time with people that make me feel so good. It can be the exact opposite of a very stressful, drama filled workday. 

Anyway, after I got home from the beach, I changed and went into the city to go to my first Soul Cycle class on the east side, (83rd and 3rd). I really have no prejudgments about this place, except for the fact I've heard it's an amazing workout. I paid $32.00 for the class, which I was more than willing to pay because I am so tired of the boring spin classes at NYSC. BTW, the shoes were free for the first time and then they are $3.00 to rent from now on. I took the 60 minute soul survivor class, which was basically 50 minutes of spinning with taps back on the seat (think squats on a bike, while spinning), jumps and some form of push ups on the bike. At the end there were 10 minutes of weights work with 1 pound weights, while you are still pedaling. It is more challenging than it sounds, but I think I would have preferred 2 pound weights. The class was pretty young, with mostly the entire class being in their 20s or 30s and all women except 1 guy (and the instructor). 

(source)

I'm going to break it down into the positives and negatives of the class. 

Pros:

- kicked my butt!! I was working hard within the first 5 minutes of class. My heart rate was up and I was SWEATING.

- loved the loud music

- highly motivating instructor (Nick)

- loved the weights at the end (1 lb weights)

- free lockers

- clean bathrooms

- everyone was very nice and helpful (I had never used shoes or bikes with clips before.)

Cons:

- VERY small room to wait to go in and out of the class. You can't help but basically bump, rub and touch people and you are ALL very sweaty. 

- only 2 bathrooms to change in. No locker room and where the lockers are, are VERY small. Only 1 small bench to sit on.

- hot room (which I don't really see as a con, but I think most would)

- tight on the bikes while doing weight workout

Overall:

I really, really enjoyed the class. There are a couple of different types of classes and I think I would like to try them all. I also want to try out flywheel, which Fit Chick in the City says she likes better. I definitely plan on going back here. It gave me a really good workout and today I am certainly feeling it in my legs. I didn't take any pictures, but trust me I was very sweaty after! So far I am 1 class into my goal of trying out all different classes this summer. Who else has this goal?

Anyone want to take a class with me now?

On another note...look at what finally ripened!!

I ate these over a salad and they were amazing! They definitely taste better because of the hard work and love I put into these!


And I had to include a recipe, so here's my new favorite dessert of right now. It's refreshing and super healthy. 

(kind of hard to see, but trust me, it's amazing!)

Take 1 frozen banana, 1 tbsp protein powder or cocoa and pulse in food processor. Spoon into bowl and take 1 tsp peanut or almond butter and mix around. Top with cacao or dark chocolate chips. ENJOY!

You will think you are eating very rich ice cream!

What's your favorite workout class to take?