When she opened her first Handle Bar nearly four years ago, owner Jessica Fracalossi’s indoor cycling studio brand has grown in popularity to three neighborhoods, including South Boston, Fenway, and Harvard Square.
The studio offers 45 and 60-minute classes designed to challenge riders with an intense cardio workout. Weighted bars are used during each ride to incorporate upper body strength into the music driven cycling class.
It doesn’t matter if you are an experienced rider or first timer looking for a fun way to work out Fracalossi’s classes are designed for every level of fitness.
Photo Credit: The Handle Bar Indoor Cycling Studio
We caught up with Fracalossi recently to find out what she loves most about Boston.
Where were you born: Elizabeth City, North Carolina
How long in Boston: 10 years!
Neighborhood: Washington Square, Brookline
Occupation: Owner/Operator of The Handle Bar Cycling Studios (South Boston, Fenway, Harvard Square)
Favorite Restaurant: The Abbey in Brookline’s Washington Square, hands down
Best Sushi: Oishii
Best Italian: Giacamo’s
Best dessert: Emack and Bolios
Best place for a romantic date: Neptune Oyster – worth the wait
Best Sunday brunch: Barcelona Brookline, with Rose and 70 degree sunshine!
Best place for a power business meeting: Gather in the Seaport District. Super cool vibes and an entrepreneurial environment right by the Mass Challenge headquarters
If you have out of town guests, which hotel would you recommend? The Liberty Hotel – there’s nowhere cooler: a former prison, and pup friendly
Favorite shopping venue/boutique: LIT
Favorite place to buy jewelry/watches: Freedman Jewelers in the Diamond Building
Best Spa: Skoah – the owner of the Boston area stores is a friend of mine and their products and services are clean, simple – just what I’m looking for when it comes to my face!
Favorite Charity Event: The Boston Marathon! At The Handle Bar, we are lucky enough to support many, many runners as they raise money for their participation in the marathon each year. Celebrating their accomplishment on the marathon course is my favorite thing to do each spring. For everyone involved, there is a real sense of giving back and embracing our community as we party on the streets. So much fun.
Favorite Cultural Event: On that same note…The Midnight Ride before the Boston Marathon. It’s a grass-roots event that happens the Sunday before Marathon Monday. I participated this year for the first time – 26.2 miles on bike, beginning at midnight. It was spectacular to join a crew of 1500+ riders and see the marathon course in all its glory. So much people watching to be had – bikes decorated in lights, adorned with boom boxes. Costumes, body painting, and more.
Favorite Cultural Institution: The Institute of Contemporary Art – they host the coolest exhibits, plus a huge offering of live music both indoors and out on their deck facing the harbor. Take me there now please.
Best Steakhouse: Abe and Louie’s
Best Pizza: Stoked (food truck and brick & mortar spot in Brookline)
Best Lunch: Scoozi (both Newbury Street and Kenmore locations)
Best Gym/Athletic Facility: The Handle Bar – you won’t find a more infectious environment to stay fit, I can promise you that!
Best Massage: Bliss
Best Limousine/Driving Service: Uber Black Car
Best Museum/Exhibit: ICA as previously mentioned, but Museum of Science has a permanent exhibit called ‘Cosmic Light’ – the cosmos is my favorite topic and I think they did a really great job with this exhibit. You can explore the Milky Way Galaxy and check out different images and videos that help put the size of our universe into perspective.
Describe Boston in three words: Ambitious, Intellectual, Genuine
Favorite historic/legendary place to see or explore: Fenway Park ya’ll!
All-around favorite spot in Boston: Tasty Burger Fenway – My favorite burger in town and a spot that’s become a gathering place for me and my friends for the last few years since opening the Fenway Handle Bar. It just feels like Boston, and feels like home.
Best Aspect of Boston: The people and the communities that make it up.
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