Photo Credit: Sarah Kehoe
The Castro, San Francisco’s colorful neighborhood, becomes even more soulful today with the opening of SoulCycle, the brand’s third San Francisco outpost and fifth studio in Northern California. Located in the historic Harvey Milk Plaza, SoulCycle Castro features a 50-bike, 3,684 square-foot studio, home to the signature SoulCycle workout, and an expansive SoulCycle lifestyle boutique, selling SoulCycle’s original clothing collection. Additional rider amenities include full men’s and women’s locker rooms with two and three showers respectively, multiple bathrooms and locker area. The Castro is one of eight new studios the company, which boasts 12,000 riders daily, will open this summer, bringing the total to 49 nationwide. Haute Living caught up with CEOs and co-founders Elizabeth Cutler and Julie Rice to talk SoulCycle, which throws a grand opening party on June 27 and will flaunt a float in the SF Pride Parade on June 28.
Photo Credit: Courtesy SoulCycle
SoulCycle Castro is located at 400 Castro Street, San Francisco, CA 94114. SoulCycle classes in San Francisco cost $30.
How did you select the Castro for your next SF Bay Area location?
We have a lot of loyal riders who live in the Castro, and they have been asking for their own studio in the district. We found a beautiful space in the historic Harvey Milk Plaza and are so excited to open there this week.
What can we expect from your float in the Pride parade this year?
Our rockstar instructors will be riding yellow Soul bikes on the float—so you will see lots of signature tap backs and sexy corner choreography in the parade!
Summer is here and people will be traveling. Assuming there’s no SoulCycle where they are going, what’s are your tips for staying in shape when away from a studio?
We now have 44 studios across the country, including destinations like Malibu, Newport Beach, Miami and Montauk so there is a good chance you will be vacationing close to a studio. If I’m ever away from the studio, I prefer to stay active by exercising outside – hiking or doing my own mini bootcamp. I listen to our SoulTunes playlist on Spotify when I go for a run.
For the one person on earth who has not tried SoulCycle, tell people why is it so addictive.
SoulCycle is a fitness experience that makes exercise joyful. Its the combination of motivational coaching, great music, and epic spaces.
What can newbies do outside of the studio to improve their riding abilities when they take a class?
Just show up! Anyone can SoulCycle – it is all about getting there. We take care of the rest.
What does SoulCycle do to keep regular riders from getting bored with the same routine?
Every class is different! Our instructors curate a new playlists and incorporate different choreography into every single ride.
You’re expanding like crazy. When are you taking SoulCycle to another country and which one will be first?
We have our eye on London.
Do you have your expansion eyes on anywhere else in the SF Bay Area?
Castro is our fifth Northern California studio, and it’s safe to say it won’t be our last.
