Stationary Bike

Swerve has studios in Midtown and Flatiron. Rides here are team-based. It’s perfect for people who are motivated by competition. The shoe rental is included and there's an on-site smoothie bar.


Swerve Cycle

Cycling in water is different from cycling on land in that water forces you to engage your core. It turns out that having a strong core is pretty fundamental to lots of fancy workout moves. It feels nice to be in water and it’s a good workout. Win win.

AQUA-Studio-NY-Pool1

If you haven’t heard, Equinox bought SoulCycle a while ago and now everyone is trying to be the SoulCycle of ‘X’. SoulCycle of Boxing? Rumble. SoulCycle of HIIT? Switch Playground or Fhitting Room. SoulCycle of your life? WeWork. (Or that’s their hope anyway.)

So when we heard about Aqua Studio, our first instinct was that it was going to be SoulCycle: But In Water. While it’s not far off, we were pleasantly surprised to find out this place has a few other things going for it.

First, no one here is screaming, “TURN UP THE RESISTANCE. TURN THAT KNOB TO THE RIGHT.” Actually, no one here is yelling at all, because there is no knob and the water is the resistance. As a result, you’re forced to really use your core. It’s a bit harder than you’d expect and if you’re a cycling veteran, it will take a little time to get used to. But ultimately, it’s pretty fun.

[[1]]

Second, you are in an 84-degree heated, 4-foot deep pool, so you don’t really sweat. The gloriousness of this really cannot be overstated. Let’s be clear here: it’s totally a cycling workout. But it bears repeating—it’s not sweaty.

Speaking of speed, Aqua Studio offers four main classes—Blend, Restorative, HIIT and Interval—and the options are exactly as you’d expect them to be. Restorative is really great if you’re looking for active recovery. No matter which option you choose, the water is no joke and that resistance is real!

As part of the workout, the instructor will ask you to use your arms to make circles in the water, and the next day you might feel like you just used your shoulders for the first time ever. There’s also some sitting and standing in the saddle, as well as a seriously awkward position called “position four” that has you clutching your seat for dear life while you try to bike *behind* your bike. It will give you a wedgie. 

The instructors here are fine and so is the music, but both get drowned out of by the noise of your neighbor splashing water in your face. It’s not a competitive place and you’ll see people of all shapes and sizes, which is almost as refreshing as being in a pool. And there are single sex classes if that’s more your speed.

Aqua Studio calls itself a “wellness sanctuary” and that might be a bit of a stretch but all in all it’s pretty nice. It's a fun place—if a bit pricey—to try something new, and if you really hate sweating or are looking for low-impact cardio, it is a very good option.

Tribeca

A cycling studio in Tribeca where the bikes are in a pool (!) and the water is the resistance.

AquaStudioShareImage

Aqua Studio is a cycling studio in Tribeca where the bikes are in a pool (!) and the water is the resistance.

Aqua Studio

SYNC is a Williamsburg-based studio that offers training, yoga, and SYNCCYCLING®. The class takes place out of the saddle—or in layman’s terms, in a standing position with your butt above the seat. Bikes aren’t pre-assigned here, so be sure to arrive in time to nab your desired spot. This is a good spot to know about if you’re looking for a slightly more incognito place to spin in Williamsburg.


SYNCStudio

Cyc is a spinning studio with four locations in Manhattan: Astor Place, UES, Hell’s Kitchen, and Chelsea. With good amenities, a dynamic vibe, and class prices at $22 (shoes included!) we think it’s the best alternative for those seeking SoulCycle on a budget.


2Cyc-Fitness

Chalk is an all-inclusive, affordable gym in Williamsburg. Classes are included in membership, though at $25 for a day pass, this is a good spot to know about if you're trying to budget around the L train (maybe, maybe not) shutting down. They tend to offer cycling classes everyday.


Chalk Gyms

Some things are worth leaving your neighborhood for: dinner at your favorite restaurant, a concert you bought tickets to three months in advance without realizing it was at Forest Hills Stadium, a first date with someone totally out of your league.


Some things are not worth leaving your neighborhood for: like your dry cleaner, the $1 slice shop around the corner, or the dive bar that always seems to be packed despite the fact that it’s kind of gross and they serve mediocre beer. They’re all fine. But you wouldn’t go out of your way for them.

[[1]]
That’s exactly how we feel about Chalk Gyms. It’s fine—good even—if you live or work in Williamsburg. 

In terms of pricing, Chalk Gyms occupies the rare space between Blink and Equinox. It’s $99 a month and there are no fees for anything, which is always a win.  They have a ton of classes, too, and, again, they’re nothing to go out of your way for, but if you’re already in the neighborhood and you like classes, they will do the trick. [[2]] Chalk offers bootcamp, cycling, yoga, barre, boxing, HIIT, and mat pilates. 


The space is clean and nice, and the locker room has blow dryers, a couple of showers, and a small sauna. There’s a lot of orange and the stairs say “harder, better, faster, stronger.” We assume that’s supposed to be motivational. We’ll leave that up to you.


What’s clear is that there is a ton of equipment and it’s all on the newer side. All of the standard equipment you would expect from a gym plus two small studios for group classes. It’s never so crowded here that you can’t do your thing. That’s another win.

Chalk is a good place to know about, especially with the L (maybe, maybe not) shutting down. And their free two-day trial doesn’t hurt either. It’s a premium, but not luxury, gym that fills a need. So if you’re looking for affordable classes and an upgrade from Blink, meet Chalk. 


Williamsburg

A fairly priced, all-inclusive gym in Williamsburg.

ChalkGymsShareImage

If you’re looking for a solid gym with a bunch of classes in Williamsburg, Chalk Gyms is a good bet.

BYKlyn is a Park Slope based cycling studio that offers a variety of class types. Their trial membership—three classes for $25, including shoe rental—will allow you to try a few. This is a neighborhood studio best for Park Slope and Prospect Heights residents. Just make sure to bring any precious belongings into the studio. No lockers here.


New-Wave-51 BYKlyn

BYKlyn

Peloton probably requires no explanation. It’s a luxury in-home fitness experience. Peloton Studio on the other hand is a place in Chelsea where you can ride a Peloton bike with a live instructor. Relish in the fact that you can take a live class for $26 while your uncle in St. Louis had to buy a $2,000 bike to experience the same thing,


full Robin 20Arzon Cropped

Peloton Cycling Studio

footer logo 1

footer logo 2

footer logo 3

footer logo 4

Streaming

Active Spaces

Maybe you're avoiding SoulCycle or Flywheel because they're intimidating or maybe you just don't want to run into everyone you've ever met while you're pushing pedal to the metal. Here are some alternative spin studios.

Spin:
Places to Cycle Besides SoulCycle and Flywheel

01.
Swerve Cycle

02.
Aqua Studio

03.
SYNCStudio

04.
Cyc

05.
Chalk Gyms

06.
BYKlyn

07.
Peloton Cycling Studio

01.
Swerve Cycle

02.
Aqua Studio

03.
SYNCStudio

04.
Cyc

05.
Chalk Gyms

06.
BYKlyn

07.
Peloton Cycling Studio

Tags

Share

More guides

Stay Active. Subscribe to our newsletter.

Spin: Places to Cycle Besides SoulCycle and Flywheel

01.Swerve Cycle

02.Aqua Studio

03.SYNCStudio

04.Cyc

05.Chalk Gyms

06.BYKlyn

07.Peloton Cycling Studio

01.Swerve Cycle

02.Aqua Studio

03.SYNCStudio

04.Cyc

05.Chalk Gyms

06.BYKlyn

07.Peloton Cycling Studio

Tags

Share

More guides

Stay Active. Subscribe to our newsletter.

Spin:
Places to Cycle Besides SoulCycle and Flywheel

01.
Swerve Cycle

02.
Aqua Studio

03.
SYNCStudio

04.
Cyc

05.
Chalk Gyms

06.
BYKlyn

07.
Peloton Cycling Studio

01.
Swerve Cycle

02.
Aqua Studio

03.
SYNCStudio

04.
Cyc

05.
Chalk Gyms

06.
BYKlyn

07.
Peloton Cycling Studio