SoulCycle
/soʊl ˈsaɪkəl/
CommonA premium boutique indoor cycling brand known for its cult following and high-energy, music-driven classes.
Carries cultural weight beyond the workout. Mentioning SoulCycle signals a certain lifestyle bracket. It became a shorthand for expensive, wellness-obsessed culture in the mid-2010s.
Real-world examples4 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | my coworker just signed up for unlimited SoulCycle. she's spending $400 a month on spin. | Commenting on the high cost of a SoulCycle membership. | reddit, 2023 |
| 02 | i made fun of SoulCycle for years then my friend dragged me to a class and now i have a 10-pack | Being a skeptic who became a convert after actually trying the class. | x, 2023 |
| 03 | the instructor at SoulCycle literally made me cry today and i paid $40 for it | The emotionally intense class format produced an unexpected emotional reaction. | tiktok, 2022 |
| 04 | SoulCycle in 2016 felt like a religion. everyone was obsessed. | Reflecting on how intensely popular SoulCycle was at its cultural peak. | x, 2024 |
Use it when
- Referring specifically to the SoulCycle brand studios or classes.
- Discussing premium boutique fitness culture.
- Commenting on expensive or status-driven wellness habits.
Do not use it when
- Referring to any indoor cycling class at a gym.Use “spin-class” instead.
SoulCycle vs spin class
SoulCycle
SoulCycle is a specific brand with premium pricing, instructor celebrity culture, and a devoted community.
VS
spin-class
Spin class is the generic indoor cycling format available at most gyms.
Origin and context
Founded in New York City in 2006 by Ruth Zukerman, Elizabeth Cutler, and Julie Rice. Peaked culturally around 2012-2017 as the defining symbol of boutique fitness culture.
- First seen
- 2006
- Confidence
- high
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/soulcycleUpdated: 2026-08-29License: CC BY 4.0