For over a decade, indoor cycling has been an immensely popular exercise option in every major city across the world — and even virtually, thanks to companies like Peleton. Though Cincinnati is also home to its fair share of spin studios, NYXX Cycle hopes to bring a new sort of workout experience to the Queen City.
In February, NYXX Cycle officially opened its doors in Norwood. With a decade of experience working for other boutique fitness companies, like Cincinnati-based CYCLEBAR, NYXX Cycle founder Nick Melnyk knew what it took to open his own studio — and also how to stand apart from the crowd.
“Our studio and our brand is built 100% on feel,” Melnyk told CityBeat. “We believe in motivation by music and feel, so our studio has no monitors, no stats — we’re 100% about the music connection between, you, your bike and the other people in the room. That’s a huge differentiator between us and a majority of studios that are in Cincinnati, the Midwest and other bigger cities.”
Workouts are performed on stationary bikes that Melnyk had custom-built. During each class, riders clip into the bike and move through a series of moves choreographed to the beat of the music thumping through the studio. The space can get loud as the class moves through choreographed sequences that include claps and chants to pop and dance hits.
These choreographed moves are designed to work every muscle in the body. Each class typically begins with a fast song and will include an arm workout with dumbbells. Riders can do the choreography in or out of the seat.
According to Melnyk, no class is exactly the same and all skill levels will feel comfortable moving through each round of choreography.
“A big piece of the class is the choreography and the good thing about it is that it’s attainable for anybody, whether you’re in the seat or you’re out of the seat,” Melnyk said. “It is attainable and accessible to everybody, no matter your skill level and age level, and the best part is you come back to class and get better every time — even within one class. The songs have repetition in them and I like to describe the class as like a choreographed dance where you’re gonna do the same moves repeatedly and it allows you to build that muscle memory as well.”
The studio itself, containing only three rooms — an entrance with a front desk, a room where the classes take place and a locker room — also contributes greatly to the intimate feel of the classes. Two rows of cyclists look directly into a floor-to-ceiling mirror, which helps everyone remain synchronized through each round of choreography.
Much of the class is also done in dim lighting, which can make riders feel less self-conscious about their form, and therefore more free to curb comparisons to their neighbors and just focus on their own fitness journey.
Riders can choose between three different classes: X45, the standard, 45-minute NYXX Cycle class; X60, a 60-minute class designed to push riders; and X30, a shorter class that still packs a punch, according to NYXX Cycle’s website.
As the only LGBTQ+-owned spin studio in the Greater Cincinnati area, Melnyk has also strived to create an inclusive and welcoming space for every person that attends a class at NYXX Cycle. This same philosophy of inclusivity has also inspired NYXX Cycle’s most recent collaborations with other local brands, including &Sundries, an LGBTQ+-owned store selling handcrafted soap and candles in East Walnut Hills. NYXX Cycle collaborated with &Sundries to craft the studio’s own unique scent in soap, lotion, room sprays and candles. NYXX Cycle has also collaborated with other local businesses, including MEAS Active and Independent Print Shop, to create their merchandise.
To further his mission of inclusivity, Melnyk also offers what he considers accessible pricing for each individual class and class bundle. A first-time class is $10 and a regular class is $22. Class bundles range from $45 for three classes (for new riders only) to $300 for 20 classes. Memberships are also available. Spin shoes are available to rent for $2 per class.
“In our model, we really want to build accessibility in via pricing, Melnyk said. “I feel really passionate and fortunate to provide accessibility to people that maybe haven’t been able to take classes like this just because of the cost associated, especially now obviously with the cost of things rising in so many different areas. I wanted to be able to provide a space that people could still include this in their budgets or things that they wanted to do because it’s so important to feel good about ourselves and have an opportunity to just connect with others.”
NYXX Cycle, 3937 Montgomery Road, Norwood. Info: nyxxcycle.com.
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This article appears in Apr 19 – May 2, 2023.
