New Orleans

Spin City: The Top 3 Cycling Studios in New Orleans

by Stephanie Hepburn

Photograph by Stephanie Hepburn

Spin class New Orleans: Romney Pilates Center.

Romney Pilates Center (Photo: Joshua Brasted)

From beignets to Sazeracs, New Orleans is known for its delectable foods and elaborate cocktails that can easily throw you off of your exercise routine. You didn’t pack your spin shoes just to look at them! Whether you’re trying to sweat off a hangover or freshen up for a business meeting, New Orleans has your back with three energizing spin studios.

Rhythmic Cycling: RIDE at Romney Studios

RIDE classes feature beat-specific choreographed cycling highly influenced by the instructors’ athletic backgrounds, which vary from snowboarding to salsa dancing.

The common thread, unsurprisingly, is that many of the instructors incorporate yoga and Pilates into the classes. Each sessions also includes an upper body and core workout with weights or bands, giving riders the full-body treatment.

The cycling studio is kept dark, except for black lights, to help facilitate a mind-body connection. These beat-driven classes are an excellent complement to New Orleans, where music and movement is part of its core essence.

The details: Your first class is $15 and you can sign up and pay online. Towel use is free and you can buy water ($1) and rent spinning shoes ($2) on site.

Bicycling Buddha: Higher Power

Spin class New Orleans: Higher Power.

Yoga and spinning get together in Higher Power’s Bicycling Buddha class. It is a full-body workout that combines 30 minutes of spinning with 30 minutes of power Vinyasa yoga.

The room is kept dark except for colorful lighting that changes with the flow of the music. The all-aluminum bicycles feature cast-iron flywheels for smooth riding and consoles that update riders on their cadence, heart rate, and gearing.

The studio also offers longer spin classes (45 and 60 minutes) where the focus is on a high-energy workout, fun, music, and positive reinforcement.

Drop in classes are $24 and you can sign up and pay online. Bring a yoga mat for any combination class, or rent one on-site for $2.

Born From The Road: Salvation Studio

The instructors at Salvation Studio are all road cyclists, which translates to their style and expertise in spin class. They use deep, rich, and room-filling music to drive each class.

New riders are encouraged to arrive early so that trainers can offer useful introductory advice and help setting up bikes.

The studio boasts 25 Star Trac NXT Spinners, the first-ever aluminum framed indoor cycles designed for commercial use. The sturdy bikes are constructed to support riders up to 300 pounds and are highly adjustable to various body types. Riders can use running or clip-in cycling shoes.

The details: Drop in classes are $25 and you can sign up and pay online.