Where: SoulCycle , 1470 3rd Avenue, New York, NY

A New Addition to My SoulCycle Regulars

When it comes to SoulCycle, I rarely branch out from my go-to instructors. You can’t blame me. We pay big bucks for these classes, and I like knowing I’m going to get what I paid for. Nicholas Wagner is proof that mixing up your routine has major perks. This class was one big smile.

                    [Review Nicholas' class yourself, or check out his RateYourBurn profile.]

On Nicholas

• Talkative. He is a Chatty Cathy. If you’re the type to zone out easily, he may be just the guy for you. He was constantly interacting with the class. Mind you, at the beginning of class Nicholas mentioned he had lost his voice and wouldn’t be talking that much. So I had him on a day when he was holding back. Has anyone had him on a normal day??
• Infectious smile. I usually look like I’m intensely angry and focused during spin class, but in Nicholas' class I looked like a huge, smiley-faced goon!
• Awesome dance moves. When off the bike (which wasn’t very often) he would do these spaz-tastic dance moves where he would just freak out with energy. Sort of looked like the running-in-place parts of this classic:

NW (can I call you NW? Nick? N-Dawg?), it says in your Twitter bio that you dance with the Dusan Tynek Dance Theatre. Well, if you ever want to bust out the whole Flashdance routine during a class, I fully support it.

• Encouraging. There was a lot of pushing the class to push themselves.
• Sexy-voice alert! Some of the instructors at Soul (cough, Charlee, cough, Danny) do this intense sexy-time voice while they’re teaching. Some peeps like it, some peeps don’t. Nicholas did a toned down version, and I freakin' loved it. I don’t even think he knew it was coming out. Love this guy.

 On the class

• Empty. Where was everyone? There were a ton of open bikes that should've had butts in 'em.
• Eclectic. Not sure how to describe this, but it was not the typical Lululemon Soul crowd I am used to. I swear I saw someone spinning in jeggings.
• Newbies party. Lots of newbs!

OK. So, due to the three aforementioned notes on the class, I was able to really show off my sweet spinning skills. I felt like a big star in there. SoulCycle talent counts for basically nothing in life, I know, but I was enjoying being one of the more advanced riders in the class way too much for my own good.

• Moderately difficult. I would say the class fell on the easier side of the scale (which is likely why I was able to shine so brightly). It wasn’t until the very last song that things got a little cray with a long standing run.
• Basic soul choreography. Tap-backs, obliques, tap-back push-ups. Your basic Soul choreography. I got the creative vibes from N-Dawg and was hoping he’d bust out some balls-to-the-walls wacky moves, but I never got that. Show us what you got next time! I always like when instructors make the class their own, and I'd love to see this guy bring some of his personality to the choreography as he continues to grow.
• Good stretch. I got deep into those poses. Though, I had done TRX earlier in the day so I might have just been as tight as a mofo.

On the music

SO much good stuff!! Sometimes I really just want to hear the tunes I normally listen to but with a twist. Nicholas definitely brought that hipster flavor I like. Here’s a snapshot.

"Moth Wings" by Passion Pit

"Home" (RAC mix) by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

"Replica" (Afrojack/Daft Punk/Yelle/Katy Perry/Rad Omen/Bloc Party/Kid Cudi) by Iacabone

All in all

This class just flew by because I was having such a blast. Nicholas is a fun, dedicated instructor who truly wants everyone in his class to push themselves as hard as possible. He is officially incorporated into my regular routine. Fist bump of approval from me.

From the SoulCycle website: Nicholas Wagner brings his spunky SOUL to Soul Cycle. Born and raised in Baltimore, Nicholas began dancing and performing at the age of 4. He received a BFA in Dance from The University of Illinois of Urbana-Champaign in 2009 and in moving to New York, found Soul Cycle. Wagner's classes are strongly supported by the rhythm of his music as he incorporates different somatic techniques into his ride. With an emphasis on body-mind techniques, Wagner will show you how to build lean, powerful and healthy muscles safely. Nicholas currently resides in Brooklyn. 

Read more about SoulCycle at www.soul-cycle.com.

Find Nicholas on facebook, follow him on twitter, and read more about him on the SoulCycle blog.

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