Last spring, as most gyms and boutique fitness studios closed their doors, SoulCycle was quietly preparing to launch its own home bike in collaboration with Equinox's on-demand fitness app, Variis. When the bike went on sale in March 2020, eager followers did everything they could to get their hands on it. While some were successful, others felt it was like making a last-minute reservation for a 6 p.m. SoulCycle class before the big craze (everyone is waiting for a bike!). . Now that the hysteria has subsided, fitting your feet on these bikes (open in new tab) could be a great way to kick off your health goals for the new year.

If you've ever ridden a bike at one of SoulCycle's 99 studios nationwide, you know the brand's philosophy: co-founded in 2006 by Elizabeth Cutler and Julie Rice (who were later acquired by the Equinox Group), each class, it encourages cyclists to ride to an uplifting playlist. The duo's vision, intended to "connect you to your true best self every time you pedal," still takes riders to a place that, 15 years later, is more like a meditation than a sweat-inducing workout.

Soul Cycle's holistic experience relies heavily on its environment - they even have their own signature (open in new tab) candle scent - but even so, the at-home bikes succeed in capturing that je ne sais quoi .

First, let's talk about the screen: the 21.5-inch HD touchscreen is large enough to immerse you in the ride, and the booming surround sound helps capture the studio experience. For even more drama, I like to turn off the lights and play audio through Bluetooth headphones. The production quality is excellent, with multiple camera angles and steadily changing mood lighting to simulate real studio riding. If you need a lesson or a form refresh, you can see people riding form bikes in the pop-out box in the lower left corner of the screen. The bike itself is sturdy at 142 pounds, so you can ride sprints, sticky climbs, and double-tap backs for super-strengthened rides.

And then there are the classes. On-demand classes offer 20- to 90-minute rides and stand-alone arm workouts. A bit of a compliment is to attend back-to-back classes, known in the Soul community as "doubles." There is also an option to live stream classes at SoulCycle's in-person studio. If you want to freeride, you can opt out of the class and spin while streaming Netflix's "The Crown" or Disney +'s "Hamilton". The bike will record all workouts, whether you join a class or not, as well as your "Beat Match" (opens in a new tab) score when you join.

A $2,500 investment in a home bike is not a stopgap purchase. But for the avid SoulCycler paying $36 for an in-person class, this bike will pay for itself if it is not ridden 100 times. You'll also have access to other workout brands such as Rumble boxing, Pure Yoga, and Headstrong, although you'll need to consider the $40/month Variis subscription required to stream classes.

Bottom line: SoulCycling at home is almost like taking an actual class, although you never know when it will be. If cycling is your cardio choice and you're a fan of workouts like dance parties, a bike is an investment worth the money.