It’s been a while since most Miamians have hit the club, but the pounding music and neon lights of Rukus Cycling in Coral Gables will make riders feel like they’ve stepped into a super-healthy discotec.
The cycling studio on Giralda Ave has only been open for about a month, owner Vanessa Bauer said, but it’s already gaining a following. With five instructors and multiple classes each day, Rukus gives riders plenty of opportunities to get their sweat on and patrons will leave sweaty.
Rukus offers two class types, Prime and Surge, to fit into individuals’ busy schedules. Prime classes, said Bauer, are 45 minutes long and feature lots of intervals, while Surge classes are just as challenging but condensed into 30 minutes. The studio also offers a breakout room separate from the main class studio which hosts a few bikes and a monitor and allows riders to take pre-recorded classes at any time or even stream programs from Rukus’ partner, Peloton.
Bauer, a former professional dancer, said she got hooked on Rukus after visiting their studio in Orlando with a friend and decided she had to bring one to Miami. The Coral Gables location, she said, is the first franchise in South Florida.
New patrons get their first ride free at the studio, and there are a variety of membership options to choose from, ranging from $68 per month for four rides monthly to $168 for unlimited rides with added benefits like unlimited Peloton screenings and retail discounts.
The studio is taking COVID precautions, which are displayed for patrons on a standing sign in the studio lobby. The sign indicates that bikes are spread apart, an air purification system is in use, and that Rukus gives riders the option to have shoes and gear pre-staged for a contactless pickup before class.
Amenities include lockers, men’s and women’s restrooms and showers, a filtered water station, cycling shoes, towels, and drinks available for purchase. There is also a retail section selling branded merch, and the studio is a Lululemon affiliate.
Riders will definitely work up a sweat during the classes, and for competitive individuals, a screen at the front of the classroom displays rider stats. The music is poppy and upbeat, and instructors mix in climbs, sprints, and upper-body work for a well-rounded experience. The room is even surrounded by color-changing lights, which almost (keyword almost) makes riders forget they’re working out.
For more information on Rukus Cycling, head to their website or find them on Instagram at @rukuscoralgables.
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