Cycling options are expanding in Oak Park and River Forest, with the opening of a new River Forest spinning business and the expansion of an existing Oak Park fitness studio.
Opening later this year, indoor cycling studio CycleBar will fill the former CorePower Yoga space, at 7513 Lake St., next to River Forest Animal Hospital.
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Oak Parker Jackie Benson, who is opening the local CycleBar location with her husband, Mike, said 300 CycleBar locations are opening across the country, and the River Forest location is No. 40.
Spin is “one activity where you really aren’t able to judge the person next to you,” Benson said. CycleBar is focused on creating community around spinning and offering an experience for all rider levels, which she believes is the right approach for Oak Park and River Forest.
“To me, I don’t really see that anywhere,” Benson said. “It’s not meant to be exclusive in any way.”
Benson said they took possession of the space in the spring. Construction on the 3,000-square-foot space is “a bit of a wild animal,” Benson said, but the hope is that the studio is ready to open in November.
CycleBar, which originated in the Boston area, doesn’t offer memberships; participants pay per class. The studio is currently hiring instructors — called “CycleStars” — and will offer a variety of class styles at various times.
Although indoor cycling has been around for 30 years, Benson said it’s seen a growth spurt recently, as the boutique fitness industry booms.
“I think it’s great that there are so many choices,” Benson said.
Another local fitness studio, The Dailey Method Oak Park, recently expanded to offer cycling in addition to its barre classes.
Holly Blakeley, who co-owns the business with Missy D’Alise, said Dailey Cycle aims to offer a more up-tempo vibe than its calm, barre-focused sister studio. The cycling studio opened in 206 S. Marion St., one door north of The Dailey Method.
“We offer more than just fitness. We offer community,” Blakeley said.
After taking possession of the location in January, renovation took six months. Blakeley said she used items from Reuse Depot to renovate the 2,000-square-foot space, which features 31 bikes and locker rooms in back.
“We opened the doors in June, and it’s a hard time to open a studio, when everyone is getting outdoors,” Blakeley said.
Dailey Cycle offers different class formats that cater to all ages, with a focus on proper alignment while riding. Blakeley said she enjoys seeing diverse groups in the cycling classes.
The Dailey Method Oak Park has been open about three years, Blakeley said, so expanding to include another offering was a natural progression.
“Competition only makes you stronger as a business,” Blakeley said of fellow fitness studios.
Another fitness chain, Spenga, combining yoga, strength training and spinning, is moving into the Downtown Oak Park business district, according to Max Austin-Williams, DTOP executive director. Spenga representatives could not be reached for comment.
For more information on the River Forest CycleBar, visit www.facebook.com/CycleBarOPRF. For more information on Dailey Cycle, visit www.thedaileymethod.com/studios/oak-park.
Caitlin Mullen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
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