Today is the opening day of the new SoulCycle location at the Frost Bank tower downtown. For those who are unaware of what SoulCycle is, I had the pleasure of meeting with energetic and upbeat SoulCycle instructor Chris Chandler who explained everything there is to know about the popular indoor cycling class.
SoulCycle was originally started in New York City by Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler. They are known as “the country’s premier full-body indoor cycling and lifestyle brand.” Across the country, more than 16,000 people participate in SoulCycle classes everyday to release stress, tone muscle, find joy in movement and change their body and lives. The SoulCycle brand experience is high energy, results-oriented and community based. For a price of $30, anyone can join in on the fun 45-minute class.
Chris Chandler is a SoulCycle instructor at the Domain and will now also be teaching classes at the Frost Bank Tower downtown location. His own unique story has led him to become one of the most notable instructors in town. “[At first] I was a SoulCycle skeptic. I was like, ‘who the heck would ever pay $30 for a 45 minute cycling class?’ My co-workers at lululemon athletica in Glendale, California were adamant that I try a class with them, specifically Angela Davis’ sold out classes. I do not remember much of the actual class, but what stuck with me was how I felt after class–euphoric, energized, and like I had just finished a therapy session. A little backstory, my dad passed away back in 2013 and I moved home to Chicago to be home with my mom. During this time, I did not work and randomly signed up to run a marathon to have my own “sancturarial” way to move my body. This became my escape, my therapy, and my safe place to process my feelings. After training finished and I completed the marathon, I moved away from Chicago back to California. It took some time to find a similar endorphin-driven high that I felt post-run during marathon training; however, once I unclipped from my first SoulCycle class, I knew that this would be my new home. I felt the same freedom to move, to feel, to sweat, to have fun and to challenge myself as I felt after my runs. That’s how I found SoulCycle and for the first 6 months as a rider, it was very much a place for me to process my grief. With the welcoming staff and instructors, I fell in love with the support of the community and knew I had to be a part of it one day.”
SoulCycle claims the average person will burn between 500-700 in every class. However, Chris tries to remind his riders that it’s not about the calories. “I tell the class to leave their electronic devices outside the room and to not worry about the amount of calories burned. While you’ll burn a lot of calories, SoulCycle is more about the feeling that you want to leave with. It’s about going to a place inside where you become your strongest self.”
Chris explains what makes SoulCycle different from all other cycling classes. “SoulCycle spearheaded the boutique indoor cycling trend over ten years ago. So when you clip in at a SoulCycle studio, you’re stepping into the incredible legacy of our 45-minute full-body and mind workout. We believe that what continues to be different about SoulCycle is the incredible community of riders we have across the country, that no matter which studio you visit, you feel like family.
Every SoulCycle instructor makes a new playlist for every single class. Chris’s most played song ever is “Booty” by Jennifer Lopez and Iggy Azalea. He plays a wide variety of music genres ranging from dance to even country music. I participated in Chris’s 80’s themed class, which felt more like a dance party on a bike than a workout class. Chris showed up in his 80’s mullet wig passing out glow sticks and mustaches. The spirited 45-minute class flew by and in no time everyone was high fiving each other on their way out of the class. When the lights go down and the music turns up is when the real fun begins.
For someone looking to improve his or her workouts through SoulCycle, it’s not about the number of times one attends, but about consistency. “Showing up as you are is what it takes. Let’s say you’re having a bad day, show up. Let’s say you’re having an awesome day, show up. As long as you’re authentic and committed to the betterment of yourself and the people around you, there’s a place for you here. In the SoulCycle studio, we work on making tough and challenging choices both physically and emotionally to ‘practice’ for our everyday lives. When we face challenges outside the studio doors, we know we are ready to face them head on because of our willingness to get uncomfortable on our bikes.”
If you’re interested in becoming a SoulCycle instructor, Chris suggests to “dive deep into the community where your SoulCycle is. Get to know the people there, ride, and get to love all the instructors. Then, just ask yourself if you can visualize if this is in your future. Can you see yourself doing this in 5 years? Is becoming a SoulCycle instructor in line with what you value and who you are? If yes, get your hands dirty in the community, make connections, and meet the staff at SoulCycle and they will guide you through the application process.”
Chris’s Fiancé Brad is the studio manager at SoulCycle’s Domain location. When they’re both not busy working, Chris says, “We like to eat! [laughs] It’s incredible, we eat a lot in the Rock Rose area. But our favorite restaurant is The Beer Plant. Buffalo. Cauliflower. Wings. It’s insane it’s so good!” Right next door to The Beer Plant is Austin Pet’s Alive! Chris explains, “[Before we moved to Austin] we had been searching the Austin Pets Alive! website just thinking, ‘Are we going to get a dog when we move to Austin?’ Then one day we went to lunch at The Beer Plant and were like, ‘Let’s just check and go look at the animals.’ We had been there 5 or 6 times and that’s when we adopted our dog Buddy. Buddy was our Thanksgiving gift and my birthday present. We love him so much! Austin Pets Alive! is an organization that does a lot of great things in the community. The thing I love about Austin is that there are so many amazing organizations that give back in such unique ways. As we continue to plant our roots in this awesome city, we cannot wait to see how else we can give back.” SoulCycle Austin has done charity rides with Flatwater Foundation, Austin Bat Cave, Austin Sunshine Camps, Partnership for Children, and more. All of the proceeds from those rides go towards the charities.
If you’re itching to take one of Chris’s SoulCycle classes, you can find him at both the Domain and Downtown Austin locations. “Downtown is the heartbeat of the city. The Domain is amazing and the past 4 months have been incredible. It’s just a new energy opening up a new studio.” To learn more about SoulCycle visit their website and you’re also able to register for classes online. To keep up with Chris, you can find him on Instagram.
Photography by Marisa Valente
