The Class: The group cycle class, offered at the newly renovated wellness center at the Four Seasons, is a 60-minute heart-pumping, interactive workout.
The Appeal: The Four Seasons partnered with TechnoGym earlier this year to provide the first Group Cycle Connect experience in the country. This technological experience allows riders to track cadence, calories, distance, and more in real-time on the bike’s console. You can also download the Group Cycle App to track the information and performance post-ride.
The Space: An open, spacious room encompasses the bikes; a large, virtual screen; and a portion of the indoor walking track. There is only one fan in the center of the room, but the area is well ventilated and air-conditioned.
How It Went: We started out with a basic jog to warm-up and slowly raised the resistance. Note that at this point in the class, I was thinking, “Hey, now this won’t be too bad.” I quickly realized that I was completely wrong when we entered into a full-fledged sprint. Ouch. Luckily, the instructor, Natalie Clarke, was motivating and encouraging. At one point during the class, a very sweaty man pedaling next to me leaned over and said, “She [Clarke] has a disgusting amount of energy.” He meant it in the best way possible. I do not think I would have made it through the class without her encouragement, enthusiasm, and dance moves.
Next up: A set of push-ups, tap backs, and isometric holds. Again, ouch. We worked our way up to the “top” with more medium-resistance jogging and tap backs. As we neared the middle of the class, we did a tough, high-resistance climb, and then worked our way “down-hill” from there, with a few light jogs and additional push-ups. It was a full-body workout. Would I be lying if I said the cool-down wasn’t my favorite part of the class? Maybe.
Indoor cycling is a tough workout in general, and you are held accountable for your effort in this class with the real-time stats.
The Aftermath: I was exhausted. I like to think of myself as a relatively fit and healthy individual, but this class pushed my limits. With the interactive control console tracking everyone’s data, you can see how you are performing compared to other riders, and the platform ranks you amongst others, too. Having a competitive side, I was always determined to be in the top five. I did it, but fast-forward to 45 minutes later, and my legs were jelly.
Loved: I loved the interactive experience. I enjoyed watching the big screen throughout the class and seeing everyone’s progress. The sound system was high quality, and the upbeat soundtrack was even better. The level of service at the Four Seasons is exceptional. Post ride, we were given lavender towels and refreshing lemon water. Also, everyone from the instructor to the front-desk staff is helpful.
Hated: While some may view this as a positive, I did not care for the openness of the room. I’m used to being squeezed into a small, dark room where you feel like everyone is riding together in a pack and, if you lean a little too far the right, you’ll bump your neighbor. Why do I like that? I don’t know, but some may prefer having a bit more space. The indoor walking track also runs directly through the room, and I would prefer it if the room were private. It was a bit weird having people constantly walking or running behind me.
Difficulty Level: I hadn’t taken an indoor cycling class in a while, so I was sore for a couple of days. Indoor cycling is a tough workout in general, and you are held accountable for your effort in this class with the real-time stats. Seeing my stats compared to others motivated me and made me push harder. I would recommend this to regular riders who are looking for more of a challenge, and for first-timers who want to enjoy a fun, interactive experience in addition to their workout.
Bottom Line: If you’re staying at the Four Seasons, be sure to pop in for an energizing group cycle class.
