{"id":10107,"date":"2020-01-27T18:46:05","date_gmt":"2020-01-28T02:46:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=10107"},"modified":"2020-01-27T18:49:36","modified_gmt":"2020-01-28T02:49:36","slug":"starcycle-puts-indoor-cycling-in-the-spotlight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=10107","title":{"rendered":"StarCycle Puts Indoor Cycling in the Spotlight"},"content":{"rendered":"
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StarCycle is one of Santa Barbara’s hottest new fitness studios. Courtesy photo.<\/p><\/div>\n

La Cumbre Plaza Workout Spot Is New Spin Fitness<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a dance party on a bike, like when you\u2019re at a wedding and your jam comes on and you don\u2019t care what anybody thinks \u2014 you just get up there and move your body.\u201d That\u2019s how co-owner Dani Stone describes the workout at StarCycle. The\u00a0La Cumbre Plaza<\/a>\u00a0fitness center is part of a new breed of indoor cycling studios that use music and choreography for a physical and mental approach to cycling.<\/p>\n

At StarCycle, the lights go off before the 45-minute full-body workout begins.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe most appealing part to me has been that we work out in the dark, which allows you to really focus on yourself and just \u2018do you,\u2019 \u2014 modifying as needed,\u201d said Julie Sorenson, who joined the gym on an introductory membership in March 2019 (StarCycle\u00a0<\/a>opened on February 28) and recently completed her 170th ride.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe community there is incredible, and the instructors are super motivating,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s empowering. I can feel the positive energy in the room when I ride. The full-body workout (with weights) has also helped me heal from a shoulder injury.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another big appeal for members is that childcare is always available. Moms are the target demographic for the studio, explained co-owner Kayla Johnson-Neal, a personal trainer and fitness professional who\u2019s been working in the industry for 24 years. \u201cWith young kids, they are maybe at a phase in life where they aren\u2019t that challenged, so the challenge of doing this workout is like they\u2019ve climbed Mount Everest. It is so fun to watch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Themed music rides, ranging from holiday specials to boy bands, Coachella, Stagecoach, and special \u201cnaughty rides with explicit lyrics\u201d are also part of the attraction, as is the warm, welcoming atmosphere, where clients are greeted with smiles and hugs.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never seen results like this in all of my years of experience. And we\u2019re only a year in now. People have melted,\u201d Johnson-Neal said. \u201cBut you know what I love? Weight loss is not what they talk about. Somebody came up to me yesterday and hugged me and started crying and saying, \u2018I\u2019m a better wife and a better mom because of StarCycle.\u2019 She\u2019s lost weight, but that\u2019s not where the focus is, and that\u2019s what I think is so cool.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tips from Kayla:<\/h3>\n