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Real talk: Investing your fitness regimen into boutique studio classes is not a cheap endeavor. However, those intro specials that many gyms offer can be pretty tempting, and using these back to back (to back to back to back and so forth) can get you pretty far before you have to start plunking down full-price for class packages—but just how far will they get you, and for how much?
Below, we've created out a six-week plan for taking advantage of the new student deals at nine indoor cycling studios in Manhattan and Brooklyn, assuming that you're hopping on a bike three times per week. You'll see what you'll spend each week compared to non-newbie prices at each studio, which have been grouped together by proximity. And maybe after your trial period is over, you can put your crazy savings (totaled together at the end) into a class package at your new favorite cycling spot.
Week One
Byklyn; Photo: Gilt City
Byklyn: The beginner-friendly Fort Greene studio that opened last spring gives new students their first two classes for $15; single rides are normally $26, meaning you'd otherwise be spending $52 here.
Soulcycle: Though the cult studio is known for being one of the pricier cycling locations out there, you can call to reserve your first class at any of their NYC locations (like Williamsburg) for just $20, instead of the regular $34.
What you spent: $35
What you would have spent: $86
What you save: $51
Week Two
Swerve Fitness; Photo: Well + Good
Swerve Fitness: The Flatiron spot that breaks its classes down into competitive teams gives first-timers two rides for the price of one at $30.
Peloton: You could pay $2,000 to take a bike home and stream live classes—or you could head into the Chelsea studio and get your first ride, a $30 value, for free.
What you spent: $30
What you would have spent: $90
What you save: $60
Weeks Three and Four
Photo: Rebecca Dale
SyncStudio: The Williamsburg studio offers a whole mix of classes that are accessible with a $25 day pass, meaning you'd be spending $150 to take six classes (assuming you're not doing more than one a day)—but newbies can get two weeks of gym access for only $45.
What you spent: $45
What you would have spent: $150
What you save: $105
Week Five
Monster Cycle; Photo: Gilt City
Aqua Studio: The city's only gym that puts its bikes in a pool gives new students their first experience for $34, instead of $42.
Monster Cycle: Soho cyclers's destination for theme rides with accompanying music videos in a sleek, all-black studio draws in new customers with a first-time offer of $13, a $20 savings over a regular single ride.
Revolve Fitness: Union Square's non-chain cycling studio lets new riders in the door for only $15 instead of the usual $29.
What you spent: $62
What you would have spent: $104
What you save: $42
Week Six
Photo: Gilt City
Torque: Wrap up your cycling testing period at this Williamsburg gym, where you can take three classes in a seven-day period for $30, which is the regular price for a single class.
What you spent: $30
What you would have spent: $90
What you save: $60
Now let's do the math on what you spent taking 18 cycling classes over six weeks—or, rather, what you didn't spend:
Your total spent: $202
What you would have spent: $520
What you saved: $318
· Hey, Indoor Cycling Studios: What's Your 'Thing?' [Racked NY]
· Feel the Burn [Racked NY]