Flywheel Charlotte #SweatDate
- Grace
- Dec 16, 2016
- 6 min read
Flywheel Charlotte boasts bikes, blood pumping music and the latest technology to keep you moving faster and further forward. Flywheel was created to jump-start your day, week and life. This is nothing less than high-energy and inspiring. Flywheel Charlotte has created a workout and a community that enables all of their riders to elevate themselves within the workout and in everyday life. Whether you choose to focus on your statistics or to just focus inward, close your eyes and let the music carry you through class, the class is yours. Flywheel is unquestionably one of the best spin experiences in town.
Offering several unique options, from team rides featuring two instructors, to theme rides formed around specific music genres, to Flybeats which fuses the precision of rhythm riding with fun and engaging choreography. The signature class however is Fly45. While 45 minutes may not seem like a long time, you will work to your edge with an interval focused, high energy experience. A total package studio Flywheel offers all the amenities from showers to private bathrooms, apparel, towels, complimentary fresh fruit and a water filling station. Flywheel is a major player in boutique fitness.
On First Glance Flywheel Charlotte is bright and modern with lofted high ceilings and huge open common spaces. You can’t miss the check-in desk immediately when you walk in staffed with multiple employees ready to quickly assist you. If you already signed up for the class, use the self-check in to the right and get custom bike shoes to borrow from the shelves with your assigned number below. If this is your first time, definitely hit up the front desk. They are friendly, knowledgeable and ready to help you get settled in or a different size shoe if what you’ve got is too loose or too tight. Before finding your way into the spin studio in the back, grab a towel (or two) and fill up that water bottle because you’re going to need it. If it’s your first time on a bike they have people to help you get it set it up properly to fit your height. Literally, if you have ANY questions, I STRONGLY encourage you to JUST ASK instead of spending the next 45 minutes on a bike that is made to fit a basketball player when youre the size of a ballerina! They have so many people, ready to make it the most comfortable experience. DO NOT PASS THIS UP. Do not be embarrassed if you have trouble clipping your shoes in either. Many people do (including me) and the staff is there specifically to help you.
The Workout
I always choose to show up early. With a super spacious lobby and enough room to breath on benches and couches, I find it way more comfortable to be early than late. Today I checked in, got my shoes and chilled out by the water fountain until the spin room opened. You are welcome to bring your own bike shoes that have SPD or DELTA clips - If you don’t know what that means, just borrow the shoes from the studio…but bring your own socks!
Walking into the spin room, if you are like me, you are going to feel like you have just been transported onto a spaceship. Everything is dark aside from 50 or so glowing thing-a-ma-jigs on each bike. If you show up late (after they close the door) you may need some extra help from a flashlight or your phone to get to your bike without falling over. The lights set the mood and get you completely focused on yourself. This isn’t a spin class where you are looking around at other people. This is one of the greatest things about spinning. You can be sitting next to Lance Armstrong and not know the difference or feel intimidated. The resistance is your own, you pick yours speed and nobody else is watching your feet. It is just you with one of their awesome instructors and the music. (Don’t be tricked by the movie magic in our workout video. The spin studio is DARK DARK. We used some fancy lenses and high ISO to make it look a lot brighter).
(watch the video below to see the flywheel #sweatdate)
Those glowing things on the bikes are what they call tech-packs. This is the screen that is going to give you all of your current statistics like speed, distance, resistance, and calories. Your instructor will tell you where you should be but you ALWAYS have the option to modify. Try to stick to their instructions, because they will keep your feet spinning at the beat of the music which makes it SO much more fun.
Spin instructors are not only fitness coaches, they are also DJs and sometimes dancers. This plays a critical role in how much you are going to be engulfed in and transformed by the experience. Flywheel instructors are simply amazing. If I ever get married I may ask one of them to DJ my wedding because their music is almost always so spot on. Today's class with Sarah was no exception. She played something for everyone, but it always kept my feet moving and spinning faster. When you feel unstoppable 30 minutes into a spin class, you know your instructor is doing SOMETHING right.
If you are a competitive person, there is a solution for you. Not so strangely enough, it's the guys who tend to use this feature the most. When you register for the class, you can opt-in to the leader board. On two screens in front of the class the class rank of these opt-in crew will be displayed. Most instructors will only flash these stats up briefly and it is pretty much always anonymous given the rider’s unique nicknames. Again, depending on your instructor, they may push your for an all out sprint of 30, 45, or 60 seconds which will also get shown up on the screen. The stats are nicely separated for men and women to account for the physiological differences that might make a “competition” not so competitive.
Once you are done spinning there is always a short stretch and then that is it. You’re going to be in a better mood afterwards. Make sure you drop off your towels, which I guarantee will be completely drenched, and your shoes in the bins outside the door. I always find myself either talking to the instructor on the way out or some of the other riders near the lockers in the hall. You tend to find pretty happy people here because everyone is feeling like a bad-ass. Maybe I’m just desperate to make friends.
All of your statistics are logged and registered to your account. You can view how you performed on your phone or computer immediately after class or whenever. This is another fantastic feature with Flywheel. You literally can SEE yourself getting better. From my first class to completing this one, my total power output has increased nearly 20% and I’m amped to keep improving. Its extremely motivating for me to push myself each class for a new personal record. Like their slogan tell you; NEVER COAST.
No matter the class at Flywheel, you will always enjoy climbs and descents, rhythm riding and sprints that are guaranteed to satisfy your need for speed and supercharge your day. Holding claim to “the original” stadium-style cycling studio, you can rest assured that every bike is the best seat in the house. Flywheel is an intimidation free, feature packed killer cardio workout. I would recommend anyone new to group fitness or looking for one of the best rides in Charlotte to start here.
Classes Offered
Fly 30, 45, 60 and 90, Fly Beats, Flywheel theme rides and team rides! Flywheel also boasts a barre studio within their building and offers FlyBarre 60, FlyBarre Sport 60 and Power 45
Skill Level
Beginner to advanced; All Levels
Class Size
Up to 50 people per class
Duration
30 to 90 Minutes
Equipment Needed / Attire
A water bottle and comfortable workout clothes with either shorts or tight fitting pants that won't interfere with your pedal stroke AND socks. Padded bike shorts are recommended for beginners.
Comments