CycleHouse - SAMO... 

Address: 
1541 Ocean Ave., 
Santa Monica, CA

Website Definition: Experience this high-intensity interval training cycling class designed to maximize caloric burn, incorporating upper body exercises with free weights to give you a true full body workout. Instructors highly curate each class' playlist to give you the best musical experience on the bike. 

Class: Cycle House Ride
Instructor: Sarah

This is your typical spin class. Stadium-like class set-up, with a stage for the instructor. The only difference from the regulars -- the teacher doesn't actually ride with you. Rather, there is a "spin model" that follows the instructions along with you. Overall, the vibe & music were great, but the actual environment and bikes left me wanting more...


What do you need: I purchased a pair of spin shoes from Amazon for my Equinox classes, so I didn't have to rent any. They only accept the Delta Look Clip, but they do have rental shoes for $2.

Intensity: High

Sweat: 4/5

Again, I'm always sweating so potentially take this with a grain of salt lol.

Bathroom: n/a

I was running late for work, so I didn't get to take a look at the bathroom, mah b!

Vibes: 2.5/5

The design seemed like a very rudimentary version of FlyWheel. I think CycleHouse is still slightly in progress of finding their official design and look. Maybe I need to go to the one in West Hollywood?  Also, the bikes were definitely old -- my handlebars kept moving even when they were screwed all the way in. Maybe I'm just snooty because Equinox and SoulCycle just updated their bikes.

Music: 4/5

I loved Sarah's music so much. I think so far, this music selection had to be my favorite of any spin class by far. It was very rap/pop heavy, which is right up my alley. I think this the biggest appeal of CycleHouse is their attention to music, and I would love to go back to see what another instructor's playlist is like.

Will I come back? Yes. I think I would, but only after I try other spin classes/workout classes in general. TBH it is kind of like a meshed version of FlyWheel and SoulCycle. FlyWheel in its aesthetics, and SoulCycle in the pace and music focus of the class.

BoxUnion... BoxUnion is like the West Coast version of Shadowbox. Just trade in the black for oak panels and a light taupe and there you are.

Address: 
1755 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica 
310.882.5508

Website Definition: A modern, group fitness experience designed by experts to maximize the physical benefits of boxing, fat-burning cardio, plyometrics and core work. Within their unique heavy bag studio, their signature 45-minute, total body workout tones muscles, focuses the mind and empowers the soul to burn through calories and reduce stress. 

Class: Form & Footwork (The BoxUnion Method)
Instructor: Kyle Shneider

This was a very introductory class that went over the fundamentals -- from movements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6 to how to position your feet. There was even a trainer on the stage that modeled the movements for us as the hour-long class went on. The class started out with Kyle going over the feet placement and slow play-by-plays of each of the movements. Once he felt like everyone in the class was at a certain level, we started to do combinations of the movements. Overall, it was a good class to get back to the basics or to learn the moves that are sometimes quickly brushed over in other boxing classes.

What do you need: I purchased the BoxUnion wraps for $5 and rented the gloves for $2. Just bring a water bottle and you should be good to go.

Intensity: Low

Sweat: 2/5

They keep the room at a higher temperature, so I started sweating like ten minutes in. Caveat -- I start sweating at the drop of a hat so.... maybe take this one with a grain of salt.

Bathroom: 3.5/5
They were clean and very aesthetically pleasing, but they were kind of small. This didn't bother me that much though because I was able to walk home to shower.

Vibes: 4/5

It's very clean and airy. Again, since this was an introductory class, the lights were left on in the studio so that we could get more intimate training with the instructor.

Music: 3.5/5

The music wasn't really the focus in this class. They played good tunes, but it was more of an afterthought.

Will I come back? Yes. I definitely would. I really want to see what the regular class is like. And now that I'm a self-proclaimed expert, I want to see my newly learned moves in action.

Here is a link to more intro videos by BoxUnion.

My Ramblings :)

Admittedly, I never was a very athletic person. I did dance Pointe for many years which kept me lean and toned for a while, but I was never a runner, a basketball player, or a volleyball player to the dismay of many people in SE Asia (I was asked at least once a day whether or not I played a sport -- mostly basketball and I'm still not sure if it's because I'm 5'11" or black, or both?) Anyways, my lack of athletic ability provides a funny background for the fact that I've recently fallen in love with working out. Yes, my best friends are all rolling their eyes somewhere because back in college, they had to drag me out of my dark dungeon of a room to go to at least one FlyWheel class a year. And mama look at me now. TBH this new obsession is probably because I am now a working woman with limited opportunities (or less will) to go out during the middle of the week -- shocking, I know.

Regardless, the moral of the story is: I moved out to the land of skinny blonde betches. Of course, I'm not trying to change my body type, but if you can't beat them join them? idk. I'm still unsure about that statement. So, I joined Equinox Santa Monica -- became an official Equiheaux (Copyrighted) and I fell in love with the gym and the tons and tons of classes that they have. I guess Equinox is who I have to blame for my sickness. But then, I got a little greedy. I knew that L.A. has a HUGE market for fitness with boutique fitness clubs on every corner, but the fees for Equinox are so high. I decided to join ClassPass. Right now I'm on the $4 trial, and I already love it.