Working Out in New York: Flywheel

I mentioned that while I was in New York I wanted to mix it up with some fitness classes to complement all of my runs in Central Park. Besides Refine Method I had one other class I wanted to try…Flywheel!

Flywheel is an indoor spin class where the bikes are set up “stadium seating” style, the lights are dim and the music is pumping! There is a TORQ meter attached to your spin bike to show you your RPM and power. You can sign up to be on the TORQ board…at various times in the class you can see how your overall power compares to the other folks in your class, just in case you are looking for a little extra competition!

I signed up for my class online a week in advance at their Upper West Side location. In order to sign up you need to purchase a credit to ride first. Unfortunately there is no special for first timers and it is $32 to buy one ride. When you book your class you book the actual spin bike you want to ride…so it is up to you if you want to be in the front or near the back. Class includes towels, water, plus shoes! When you create your account online you also list your shoe size. When you arrive at the studio for your class you sign in and your shoes are in a little cubby corresponding to your bike number. There are free lockers to stash your stuff along change rooms and showers.

Our instructor Kara was a ball full of energy early on a Sunday morning. She guided us through the 45 min set giving cues for the resistance range we should aim for and our rpms. I thought participating in the TORQ board was fun and it definitely gave me an extra push. There were also 2 lb and 4 lb weighted bars by our bikes for an upper body strength workout during part of our ride. After our class was over details of my ride were listed on my account.