Cycle Therapy… The Work Out Every Black Girl in Chicago Needs

 

Recently, I had the opportunity to take a spin class at Cycle Therapy on Chicago’s south side.

I swear after going to Soul Cycle all these years, this visit felt like something straight out of the movie Bring it On.  I’ve been to Soul Cycle hip-hop classes, Flywheel, and Full Psycle in Chicago’s posher neighborhoods. However, once you go to Cycle Therapy, you realize you are in for a “real” experience and that there is truth to the saying “imitation is the best form of flattery”.

 

Cycle Therapy was by far one of the best spin classes I’ve ever been to hands down. What really put it over the top was the music.

 

Who warms up to Musiq Soulchild “Beautiful” and cools down to Kindred and the Family Soul “Where Would I Be”?  with Beyoncé, Fetty Wap, Drake, Young Dro, AfroBeats, and 2 Chainz mixed in for good measure.

 

To top it off, a few riders had tambourines, which meant they really took us to church. It truly was a “soulful” experience, pun intended.   

 

What I really love was seeing women of all shapes and sizes and colors and complexions. Diversity is a beautiful thing and it’s noticeably absent at other fitness studios throughout the Chicagoland area. I also liked eavesdropping on the conversations of others. Hearing our voices, our tone, our slang, etc. and feeling gives a sense of community, which I don’t get to experience all too often running and growing this company.

 

I’m by no means complaining. It’s not like I ever felt like I didn’t belong at the other studios, but Cycle Therapy truly felt like being at home.  It was nice to be around women from all walks of life, be it corporate America, CPS, state government, Starbuck baristas, and Walgreen’s cashiers. We all had just one goal in mind – to stay healthy and fit. It was truly all chocolate everything.

 

I needed this safe space especially after falling into a funk these last two weeks. Given my chaotic travel schedule, I’ve been largely on the go these last few months, which means I’ve been neglecting myself. Don’t we all? Sometimes we forget, that when it comes to working out, the benefits are not just physical, they are also emotional as well.

 

There are so many days when I feel like I don’t have the time to hit the gym because I need to send out these emails, review this presentation, or make these phone calls, but nothing could be further from the truth. Our bodies, while they don’t always cry out to be cared for, deserve the same priority as the other important stuff on my list. It’s hard to remember this at times, but cancer definitely taught me that self-care has to be a priority.  

 

This is especially true for entrepreneurs or soon to be entrepreneurs, moms, students, etc.. Sometimes we feel like we’re falling further and further behind, but nothing could be further from the truth.

 

The truth is, I’m getting older and every little bit of self-care counts. Like they say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

 

So, here’s to self-care and working out. Can’t wait to do it again this week.

 

If you’re in the Chicagoland area, come spin with me at Cycle Therapy. I’m too lazy to wake up in time for the 6 am classes, so you can catch me at the 6 pm classes. And if you’re ever in Atlanta, I’ve also heard amazing things about Vibe Ride, which is one of my law school classmates studios.