MARCH 2021 UPDATE!! EASTWOOD IS OUT OF BUSINESS.
Let me quickly start by saying please don’t waste your time and money on Eastwood Cycle Sanctuary.
Here are what some people are saying about this dark studio
I still had trouble with the room being so dark in the beginning. I stumbled my way to the corner where there was water and promptly walked into someone.
We highly recommend a better choice. Steve Nash Fitness which is a few blocks away in beautiful Yaletown is much better and in a safer neighbourhood. AND the INDOOR CYCLING IS FREE with a monthly membership !!!!
After you read what Jillian Sheridan who is owner of Eastwood Cycle Sanctuary did to a middle-eastern man you will be shocked and troubled. First: She denied him an advertised special. When the middle-eastern man filed a complaint, she had her husband send him threatening messages.
Please see on Google maps that Eastwood Cycle is a TWO minute drive from a high drug and crime area.
AND
Please read the warning about that area from the Canadian Family Physicians website yourself
Eastwood Cycle Sanctuary instructors encourage upper-body movements like pushups on the handlebars and bicep curls with light weights. Devotees say it creates a total-body workout; critics say it can potentially lead to lower back injury and shoulder injuries. They do shoulder exercises with weights while you are on the bike. So I thought that anyone with shoulder issues or anyone seeking to focus on the ride should be made aware.
In addition there was not a FAN in the classroom so it can get hot.
What I found unacceptable – and I am sure you will also – is the lack of integrity that Eastwood Cycle displayed when they first offered a few 15 % discount for new customer but then changed their mind without explanation. That borders on narcissism and dishonor. As a result, I don’t plan to give them my business and plan to give my business to Ride Cycle Club which is a few blocks away in beautiful Yaletown
IndoorCycling.ca gives Eastwood Cycle 2 out 5 stars. The only reason we did not give more stars was because they did not honor their promotion price; plus the shoulder workout (using weights) can cause shoulder pain or even injury. Please see on Google maps that Eastwood Cycle is a TWO minute drive from a high drug and crime area. Please read the warning about that area from the Canadian Family Physicians website yourself
Eastwood Cycle Sanctuary
(154 West Hastings Street)
www.eastwoodcycle.com
Here is another video of Vancouver Police warning us about that neighbourhood
Here is an April 2015 review from yelp
I’m really disappointed with my experience at Eastwood, especially after hearing the rave reviews. I’ve been wanting to try spinning for awhile so I gathered up 3 other friends to all try our first class together. Unfortunately, we all came away with some very mixed feelings.
Signing up online was easy and the website is beautiful, giving a great sense of their aesthetic and what to expect. We arrived 25 mins early because I wanted to make sure we booked bikes near each other. When we walked in, I loved the airy decor and open space. The woman at the counter turned out to be our instructor and she signed us in. Unfortunately, that’s when things went downhill.
We were given our shoes, told that lockers were downstairs, the studio was at the back, and make sure to grab weights. No other explanations. It was a bit strange, given we were first timers and there were other questions that naturally come to mind: Where do we fill our water bottles? Is the locker room co-ed? Do you provide towels? Do we go into the studio now? How do we get set up on the bike? Even when looking at the bike chart, I asked her where the best place to be is if we were new. It’s those little things.
They clearly needed to have someone else manning the desk because she was distracted talking to others. I would have appreciated even a quick tour. That would help with those questions above. But, it quickly became chaotic as more people started to arrive and it was a very social atmosphere…for them. That’s nice, but didn’t feel welcoming or helpful to newbies. It felt like we were intruding on a club that we didn’t belong to.
After figuring out the locker room is co-ed, filling my water in the sink downstairs (still don’t know, is there a filtered water station?), and sitting on a bench outside the studio, we sat there a little bewildered. Another girl who was new asked us if we were allowed in yet. Shrug?
The reason it was hard to figure out if we could enter is because the studio is pitch dark inside, with a lone light above the instructor’s bike. Err, will the lights come on? Strangely, no. I don’t know why since it would help with newbies getting acquainted with the space and setting up. I know it’s probably for mood setting but why not have them on then gradually dim them?
When we entered the studio, we found our weights and our bikes. Since it was my first time spinning, I didn’t know what to do to set up my bike properly, let alone how to clip into the bike. Why not have someone in the studio to show people? Especially since they could tell from the registration there were at least 5 newbies in the class. Right before the start of class, my friend flagged down someone who worked there and got set up on his bike. That’s great, but she didn’t make her way down the line to all of us. Throughout class I kept feeling uncomfortable on the bike and I am certain it was because it wasn’t set up correctly.
When class started, our instructor had great energy and was motivating but it was really hard to hear her over her music. I spent a lot of time glancing around to see what others were doing to keep up. It was a good workout and I was thoroughly drenched by the end of class. We were told to clean our bikes with the provided supplies. Err, where? It’s so dark I can’t even tell where that is.
When we left, no one asked us how our class was or talked to us about coming back. Nada. It was a really missed opportunity — for us to give feedback, but also for them to be able to engage with us.
All in all, I had a good workout and glad the first class was free. However, I was really turned off by the things that happened while we were there. As a regular at Bar Method (and for a similar price point), I know what it’s like to have really great, personable service. I think Eastwood could use some work ironing out some of these issues.
