As gyms all over the United States remain closed in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, exercise aficionados have taken to the outdoors to get their fitness routines in and, now, athletic companies are taking a page out of their customers' books.
SoulCycle—the cycling company owned by Equinox that has spawned a cult-like following and a whole lot of think pieces—is set to expand its previously launched outdoor class series all over the United States.
SoulOutside debuted in the Hamptons (specifically, in (Montauk, Bridgehampton, Water Mill, Southampton) to much fanfare. So successful was the first run of classes that the company decided to expand the program to cities the likes of Boston (in Dedham and Chestnut Hill, to be exact) this week, plus Hoboken in New Jersey and Santa Monica in California later this month.
In New York, each class costs $50—a price that includes water and shoes—but the company is planning on charging "market price" at other locations, which will host classes seven days a week through Labor Day and, potentially, beyond.
Although hoping to deliver the same energy that their indoor riding sessions are known for, SoulOutside will likely feel more like a silent disco, with riders donning their own individual headphones, which SoulCycle promises to sanitize "using top-grade disinfectant proven to kill viruses between uses." You can also opt to bring your own headphones.
As fairly comfortable and used we have gotten to our indoor-exercise routines (one gallon water bottles make for pretty effective weights), we can't help but beam with excitement at the mere thought of returning to some sort of organized fitness class.
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