Cary CycleBar studio offers heart-pumping, leg-churning good time, owner says

Melissa Wagner, 45, has done spin classes before, but not like the one at CycleBar.

"The dark theater environment, I really, really like," Wagner said. "The song selection has been fantastic. They're all perfectly choreographed to the beat of the music, which is very important to me. (It) helps distract me from the exercise."

But it's not just the music that gets spinners going.

"It's the music, the lights, the atmosphere, but most importantly, it's the Cycle Star instructor who drives the experience," said Joe Cece, who owns the CycleBar franchise.

Cece said it's a full-service fitness experience: While riders pump the pedals, their workout stats are recorded.

"I love how immediately after the class, I get e-mailed all my stats so I can compare my distance, my speed, my calories burned, from previous classes," Wagner said.

CycleBar is a fast-paced cardio workout, but Cece said the feeling is different than other gyms.

"The real idea is to enjoy themselves," Cece said. "It's a party on a bike for 50 minutes."

It's aerobic, plus some weight training using a 4- to 6-pound bar weight.

"I like that it gets my heart rate pumping like crazy," Wagner said. "I like that it's very low impact on my knees."

CycleBar is celebrating its grand opening in the new Alston Towne Center near Interstate 540 on Route 55 in Cary. The studio is offering 2,500 free bike rides through Jan. 29 on a first come, first served basis.