Rise Cycle
Rise Cycle is an indoor cycling studio offering 50-minute workout classes inspired by lights and music.
The goal at this Liberty Village spin studio is to create an inclusive environment for anyone who walks through the door, no matter their fitness level or experience with spin.
When you sign up online, you can pick out your bike ahead of time while biking shoes are provided to you upon arrival.
The space is bright and welcoming, with 48 lockers available near the front desk and large windows near two long benches that let in lots of light.
There are separate men's and women's washrooms that can double as change rooms, though most cyclers come dressed and ready for class.
Amenities including hair dryers, dry shampoo, deodorant spray, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and even hair elastics, tampons and ear plugs are available on the shelves should you need them.
The first class starts at 7:15 a.m. throughout the week, at 9:30 a.m. on the weekends and there are evening classes Mondays to Thursdays.
The spin room is outfitted with large speakers as each beat-based class wouldn't be the same without a well-curated playlist.
The dark-lit room fits 34 riders, plus an instructor on the shining, elevated stage. Three rows of bikes are spaced out nicely to provide more than enough space for the arm movements to come.
We join for the full 5:30 p.m. class led by the owner, Andy Lin. He spent eight years in the corporate world while teaching spin on the side, accumulating experience at over 15 boutique spin studios around Canada. Lin eventually ditched his corporate job to open Rise Cycle.
Six other fitness instructors make up the team including Lin's wife, Justine Foy. The pair met about seven years ago at a spin class, actually.
Each instructor has their own style of teaching and music taste with Lin privy to pop, dance, EDM and hip-hop.
The class flies by, probably due to the fact that the music and lights are constantly changing which proves to be both fun and challenging.
Lin emphasizes at the start of class, "Remember it's just a stationary bike" which helps to take the intimidation out of it right off the bat for first-timers.
Every 30 seconds to a minute, you turn up the gear on the bike to mimic an uphill climb. The more intense intervals on the highest gear are rewarded with a few seconds of easier riding afterward, once the beat has dropped, of course.
The class works more than just the lower body. Tricep and pushup dips, as well as some light weight training, engage the arms and core for an unexpected full-body workout.
Everyone is handed a cold eucalyptus towel after the final burnout round.
Rise Cycle merch is available for purchase including water bottles, towels, tote bags and sweatshirts.
Drop-in classes cost $30 and there are also various class packages and memberships to choose from, with the cheapest option getting you four classes per month for $89.
Fareen Karim