If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that my journey with spinning has been a long process of trial and error, and learning what works best for me.
That’s my polite way of saying… I’ve always hated spinning because it hurts my… um… “lil CeCe”.
But a few weeks ago I agreed to go to soulcycle with a friend and to my surprise, I didn’t hate it! I’ve been going to SoulCycle weekly to figure out what changed for me. I’m finally ready to share all of my secrets, ready?
Here’s the full walk through of what to expect the first time you go Soul Cycle and my top tips on how to make soul cycle work for your body:
Thick Maxi Pads: Here | Plus Size Padded Cycling Shorts: Here | Gel Seat: Here | Cycling Shoes: Here | High Waist Leggings: Here
Tip One: Add More Resistance
Because I have bad knees (osteoarthritis) I though that adding more resistance would make my ride harder, but it actually makes it a lot easier.
The more resistance I had on the bike, the “sturdier” and more in control I felt. Of course, with higher resistance it became harder to petal, but I am getting a more intense workout while causing less strain on my knees.
Tip Two: Slow Down
Adding more resistance also helped me to get an intense workout at any speed. You may find that the people in your soulcycle class are speeding along, if your legs don’t move that fast, go at half-speed, I do it all the time!
It is not a competition, it is okay to go at your own pace. At Soul Cycle they like to time everything to the beat of music. If a song is too fast, that’s okay! We’re working out because we love our bodies, not to compete with others. Show up and do the workout at a speed that works best for you.
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Tip Three: Choose One Move
There are upper body moves and sometimes choreography in Soul Cycling that may be overwhelming, especially during your first class. I didn’t do any upper body “choreography” for weeks… just legs. I was fine focusing on one thing and then building my stamina.
Just as with anything new, it’s going to take time and practice for you to perfect it. It’s okay to do just one move, don’t feel that you have to do everything that the instructor is doing. Or find a way to modify the move in a way that works best for you!
Tip Four: Modify Your Seat
You guys know my love hate relationship with spinning. The seats can be very uncomfortable in more sensitive areas. There are ways to get around this with padded shorts or seat gels for extra protection. But one secret that I found works for me, is using extra-heavy maxi pads. I know, crazy right? But it works! Its convenient because you can just throw it out when finished.
Tip Five: Try Again
Spinning may not work for you in the beginning…that’s totally normal. I am an advocate for trying things multiple times, maybe even throughout the year, to see if things change. As your body changes, you might find that you’re able to do things that you couldn’t do before.
Tip Five: Ride From the Side
When I chose a bike on the side of the room, I was able to watch the instructor from a profile view. I was able to see clearly what my instructor was doing when she did “tap backs” and I could adjust my form to match hers!
Tip Six: Face Your Fear
If you’re reading this, you may have been thinking about trying SoulCycle for a while. I know it can be intimidating to go to a new workout class, especially one with such an intense culture around it but listen to me when I say, you deserve to walk into any fitness studio and celebrate your body through fitness. You have everything you need to walk into SoulCycle and see how you like it. You’re going to have a great time… ready? click here and sign up for your first class, then hit me up on my instagram and tell me you did it (I’m already proud of you).
Make sure to email ahead if you are running late to class, that way you won’t lose your bike.
So, to answer your question, is Soul Cycle plus size friendly? Yes, but it still may not be for everyone. There’s no wrong answer to this question. It really comes down to you and what you are comfortable with in your fitness journey.
What do you say, would you give Soul Cycle a try? Or have you tried it before? I hope that you will give these tips a try, and maybe develop a love for Soul Cycling for yourself. Remember, we workout because we love our bodies, not because we hate it. In whatever workout or exercise program you join, it is important that you have fun and find love in what you are doing. For more on my very first Soul Cycle experience, click here.
Ready to ride? click here and sign up for your first class, then hit me up on my instagram and tell me you did it (I’m already proud of you)
Join my FREE Get Motivated Challenge: http://GetMotivatedChallenge.com
This could not have come at a better time! I have been wanting to try Soulcycle for the longest, but was definitely afraid because of my size & fear of not being able to keep up. Thanks for the tips & insight!
YAY that makes me so happy, let me know how it goes 🙂
Still debating this but I WILL try a Soul Cycle class either this month or next. Thanks for sharing this info CeCe