Yes folks. Soulcycle finally got into the “At Home” bike. The bike at home phenomena has taken off. As of November 2020 there is at least 10 bikes to choose from. All varying from price to features to bells and whistles. Some are obscenely expensive which the poor consumers like you must suffer because you don’t know better. As such Soulcycle partnered with Variis, which we have heard of, and developed not a 500 dollar bike, and not a 1500 dollar bike, and not a 2000 dollar bike. BUT 2500 DOLLARS. That is correct folks–2500 dollars. Then you have to pay even more. more for the online classes. As such. It was necessary to write about this “Variis” bike.
We even wrote to Variis and requested a bike to review. We even promised to review their bike on every channel we own. We contacted press@variis.com and waited and waited. And even sent them reminders. However. they must be afraid that Indoor Cycling Society would come to the same conclusion as Forbes magazine.
Recently Forbes Magazine recently published an excellent report called “Holiday Gift Guide 2020: The Best Indoor Fitness Bikes For At Home Workouts”. Forbes stated that Stationary bikes are among the best and most popular holiday gifts of 2020. Ever since the coronavirus pandemic and COVID-19, sales of models from Peloton, Echelon, NordicTrack, Schwinn, Bowflex, Technogym and many more have been through the roof. Gyms, health clubs and fitness chains remain closed in many places, and in some spots they are closing yet again in the current wave of infection. The work from home (WFH) and stay at home lifestyle has made many people more aware of the advantages and conveniences of fitness gear in their home, with no commute, no strangers and an easy way to squeeze in a workout at lunch, before or after work, without going anywhere.
Out of all the bikes that Forbes reviewed they did not say one word about the Soulcycle at Home bike. When we asked Variis for a reply, they decide to go pokerface. Which is not professional and almost atrocious when we are dealing with a 2500 bike. As such we began to conclude perhaps that is why Forbes did not even mention them. For example Forbes mentioned a bike called “Stryde” and wrote positively about the Stryde bike. In our opinion Forbes not mentioning the Soulcycle At Home bike speaks volumes.
Was it because what others are writing about Soulcycle. Such as “The beginning of the end of Soulcycle?” And:
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Instructors leaving or writing cryptic messages on social media
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Corporate’s lack of transparency and silence on the future of the company, the app, etc
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Lackluster reviews for the at-home bike (Variis bike)
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Instructors pushing their side hustles
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International/ domestic studios possibly closing
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Their disappointing lack of classes during the pandemic for riders without the at home bike (no live-streaming of rides, just random HIIT workouts)
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Not taking advantage of the huge opportunity of making the Variis app available to a wider audience (I personally have found alternatives and teachers that are just as good as Soul Instructors and it has deterred me from buying the at home bike, or maybe even investing in the app if it becomes available to the public)
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Instructors and riders seem to be losing faith in the brand based on the company’s recent actions or inactions
Now lets move to another popular and respected source. Everyone respects “Well and Good” magazine, as we do. Well and Good magazine also reviewed the 2500 dollar Variis bike. Well and Good magazine gave and an honest review. Well and Good Magazine ended their review like this:
However, Well and Good magazine found that what was missing from Variis at-home bike is all that makes SoulCycle, SoulCycle.
Soulcycle advertises this feature:
“Set in a dark candlelit room to high-energy music, our riders move in unison as a pack,”
reads the copy on the Soulcycle’s website.
But. Riding alone, you miss that community, and unless you want to turn off the lights and invest $58 in a scented candle, you’re pretty much out of luck as far as recreating the studio vibe. (Well and Good magazine)
