Over the Winter Break I enjoyed some time away from my full-time Management Consulting job and spent a couple of weeks at home chilling with family, shopping and visiting new fitness studios in Dallas.  While we have several fitness gems in the Big D, my favorite discovery is Beyond Pedaling Studio.

You guys already know that I’m an indoor cycling fan.  I teach indoor cycling at 24 Hour Fitness in Dallas and enjoying reviewing the hottest cycling studios – SoulCycle, FlyWheel, Crank and The Handle Bar to name a few.  Unfortunately, most of these studios are not located in Dallas (my hometown).  So they are great to visit while I’m traveling, but I hate not having an indoor cycling studio to call “home.”  This is no longer the case.  BEYOND Pedaling has one my heart and here’s why…..

So first, the studio is located in the adorable Snider Plaza of Dallas’s upscale Highland Park neighborhood.  I was expecting the BEYOND staff to be a little “snooty.”  But to my surprise, I received a warm welcome (by name) from these two bright shining faces – talk about “knowing your customer.”

Then I bask in the studio’s inspiring atmosphere and vibrant decor – love the bold yellow color scheme (although strikingly similar to Soul Cycle).  I especially love this quote posted above the lockers – totally inspired!

There’s also local fitness apparel designers being featured each week so I can get my shopping on before or after class.  Most importantly, they sell really cool headbands – YES!

During the actual class, we rode on high-quality Keiser spin bikes that have a digital displays to track time, calories, average power and RPM (revolutions per minute).  Flywheel has the awesome “Torque” board which is similar in functionality, but most of the other music-driven cycling studios don’t have these displays.  I appreciate the ability to keep track of my effort and exertion.

Several of the instructors regularly take  classes as well as instruct.  This helps pump up the energy level and keep the class motivated and in sync.  Also, the studio was packed!  Empty fitness classes totally depress me.  Fortunately class attendance is nothing worry about at BEYOND (especially in Elissa’s classes).  Most importantly, the sound system is amazing and the music clearly blasts through the speakers.  I felt the beat – the beat was good!

The class itself is a standard, 45 minute indoor cycling ride which includes resistance and speed intervals.  Like most of the newer cycling studios, there’s a ~5 minute arm circuit at the end of the ride that utilizes light dumbbells.  Overall, there’s nothing revolutionary about the actual workout, but it’s a great sweat nonetheless.  A little on the pricier side, $30 per class, Beyond is the most expensive cycling studio in Dallas.  However, I think it’s worth the money if you’re looking for a fun, hip, music-driven cycling workout.  You’re only other option is FlyWheel on Oak Lawn, but it’s a little more competitive and the music isn’t as good – definitely depends on your personal preference.  At the end of the day, BEYOND gets the Grit by Brit “2 thumbs up” – hope see some of the Dallas crew in a class!

Go BEYOND!  xoxo, Brit