Cycling studio chain opening first Columbia-area gym
CycleBar, an indoor cycling studio with gyms across the United States, is opening its first Columbia-area location.
The new gym will boast 50 stationary bikes in a theater-style studio when it opens on Forest Drive in the new Cardinal Crossing development.
And for the first week, you can try out three classes for free.
“There is not a dedicated indoor cycling studio in Columbia,” said Julianne Reynolds, general manager of the new CycleBar. “There are other businesses that offer cycling, but this, to me, is a little cut above. It is definitely boutique fitness at its best.”
Indoor cycling, or spinning, is a popular exercise trend that has driven boutique-style gyms to open across the nation. Cycling classes typically feature charismatic instructors and high-energy music playlists. One of the best known versions of these gyms is the SoulCycle franchise, which opened in New York City in 2006 and helped ignite America’s most recent cycling craze.
CycleBar is a nationwide chain with around 200 studios, including four currently open in South Carolina — in Fort Mill, Spartanburg, Greenville and Mount Pleasant.
The “bar” in CycleBar has nothing to do with beer or wine, and it’s not to be confused with “barre” classes, either. Each bike is equipped with an actual weighted bar, and they’re used to turn each class into a full-body workout.
“It is a full-body, low-impact, high-energy ride,” Reynolds said. “You get a killer workout and leave feeling empowered. ... It’s a real positive place to be.”
The Forest Drive studio will offer a variety of classes — from competitive to themed to long rides — throughout the day, seven days a week.
Class reservations can be made in person, by phone or through the CycleBar app. When you reserve a class through the app, you also will be able to reserve a pair of complimentary cycling shoes for the class.
Before the new studio officially opens, it is offering special membership pricing: $119 a month for unlimited classes for as long as you’re a member. Regular monthly memberships will be $159. The studio also will offer single-class pricing as well as multi-class packages.
CycleBar aims to open by the end of February and will be located at 4609 Forest Drive, Suite 4.
It is one of the first businesses to open at Cardinal Crossing, beside the Lowes Foods grocery store in Forest Acres. Other businesses that have opened at the new development include Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar, Nothing Bundt Cakes and Club Pilates.
This story was originally published January 29, 2020 at 2:54 PM.
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